What’s in Your Pad?

Aishwarya Santosh, 2025

When ingredient sections and packaging are filled with jargon that’s hard to understand, it makes choosing health-related products that may go in or on your body nearly impossible. How will you decide what products are best for your body when you can’t understand the terminology used to describe them? From specific chemical ingredients to certification abbreviations, variations in these technical details explain how products are produced and ultimately end up at the end of their life cycle. Understanding these key words may make the difference between something actually good for your body and the earth, versus something that causes harm.

Where to start

Before you start dissecting your pad, you must first know where to look. Often, pads will have an ingredients section on the back of the packet or box. More transparency by listing the ingredients they use in their products (see reference image to the right of our product). Additionally, many commercial brands do not list the ingredients on the back of their packaging, instead directing buyers to their websites, where they are met with a tedious process just to understand what’s in their product. These extra steps deter buyers from taking the time and energy to make a more conscious purchase, often leading them to choose what’s easiest, rather than the most sustainable.

The crucial ingredients in a pad are not just in the overall absorbent material, but also exist in the packaging, the pad itself, the release paper, the silicone that lines the release paper, adhesives, and many other components. A pad in itself is composed of a top layer, an absorbent core, and an adhesive bottom layer. All of these components may contain dyes, plastics, and other potentially hazardous or non-biodegradable materials.

Numerous gimmicks on social media contribute to the spread of misinformation regarding materials in pads. For example, this video critiques some of the false information about apparent “mould” in pads, which is actually just the patchy nature of SAPs (super absorbent polymers). It’s these misunderstandings that make it increasingly important for buyers to have proper transparency and literacy when it comes to comprehending the extensive ingredient lists on the back of their pads.

Examples of commercial pads advertised as “Organic” contain a variety of petroleum-based ingredients and plastics (PE, PP, SAPs, etc.) throughout the pad.

Ingredients

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs)

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are materials which can absorb and hold large amounts of liquids, up to thousands of times their weight. Their unique ability to retain liquids without releasing them makes them ideal for a wide range of commercial and healthcare products. SAPs exist in both synthetic and natural forms. Natural forms are composed of biological components and include materials like cellulose and starch, while synthetic forms are typically petroleum-based and include polyacrylates and polyacrylamides. Sodium polyacrylate is one of the most commonly used SAPs, often seen in sanitary napkins and adjacent products. Although these qualities may seem extremely beneficial, many synthetic SAPs are unfortunately not biodegradable and don’t break down easily in the environment, leading to a buildup of waste. SAPs are also marketed to be extremely effective at absorption, but their performance decreases based on the surrounding pH or increased ionic conditions.

Superabsorbent polymers look very similar to microplastics due to their similar petroleum-based chemical compositions. [Source: Envato, 2025].

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are the two most widely produced plastic polymers in the market. When they break down, they form microplastics, which now exist in every corner of the earth. Products like sanitary napkins can structurally contain up to 90% plastic-based components, including the top sheet, absorbent core or adhesive bottom layer.

PE and PP are both synthetically produced and are mostly non-biodegradable, meaning they require mechanical and chemical processes to break down, which often result in the release of greenhouse gases. Microplastics, such as PE and PP, are unfortunately highly abundant in the environment as a result of a buildup of plastic waste (such as traditional pads and diapers) in various ecosystems. Microplastics are sometimes referenced as ‘hormone disruptors’ and have been shown to be disruptive to other natural processes, including the development of juvenile species, soil composition, and nutrient uptake, among other effects. As a result of industrialisation and mass consumption, plastic pollution has proven to be one of the most difficult and concerning environmental issues. Additionally, little is known about the biological effects of microplastics on the body; however, it has been shown that sanitary napkins shed polypropylene microplastics with counts from 6 to 115 particles per napkin.

Various commercial plastic products that later break down into microplastics, including polyethylene and polypropylene. [Source: Envato, 2025].

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs)

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are water-soluble materials that vary in their structural composition. They are present in an array of commercial products, including shampoos, lotions, laxatives, sanitary napkins and even toothpaste! PEGs come in various molecular weights, which are often displayed on consumer products as “PEG-[molecular weight]”, e.g. “PEG-10” on biomedical products. They are most commonly present in liquid forms at lower molecular weights, but are so microscopic that they are unnoticeable.

Although they are water-soluble, PEG polymers are derived from petroleum, like many synthetic plastics. They aren’t readily biodegradable, meaning they can’t be broken down completely into non-harmful components, or at a fast pace in the environment. Studies have shown that PEGs have begun to leak into waterways and can even be found in drinking water. The long-term accumulation of these synthetic polymers is yet to be understood, but could be contributing significantly to the Earth’s plastic problem.

Due to the manufacturing processes which produce PEGs, they may contain carcinogenic contaminants, which can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions. Additionally, although PEGs aren’t necessarily toxic, they may leave residues of their toxic monomer form, ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol has been shown to have harmful impacts on the kidneys and nervous system. Are you interested in learning more about PEGs and the other components in pads? Please leave us a comment on this post and send us some feedback at…

Polyethylene glycol in its liquid state and comparison of polyethylene glycol molecular structure versus ethylene glycol molecular structure. [Source: B. Sciences, 2025; Wikipedia contributors, 2025].

Bioplastics

Bioplastics are composed of polymers made from renewable biomass/biological sources, rather than petroleum-based substances. They can be categorised into either bio-based or biodegradable plastics. A common misconception is that ALL bioplastics are biodegradable; however, this is not the case. If a bioplastic is bio-based, it is carbon-based and derived from natural, renewable materials (materials originating from other living organisms). Bio-based bioplastics are not necessarily biodegradable. If a plastic is biodegradable and compostable, it can be broken down by microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, and can reenter the surrounding environment as a natural substance (water, CO2, and biomass).

Certifications

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has established specific standards to ensure that actors who take products from the forest to the market engage in sustainable forestry practices, which are based on the preservation and responsible management of forests. To become an FSC certificate holder, actors must comply with the requirements and carry out the forest management and chain of custody evaluations. An independent third party, Assurance Services International (ASI), conducts annual assessments on certification bodies to verify that they meet the required standards for certification.

Biodegradable vs. Industrially Compostable

Biodegradable materials are those that can be broken down by microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, and can reenter the surrounding environment as natural substances. Sometimes, when biodegradable materials are broken down, they may release toxins into the surrounding environment, rather than releasing beneficial byproducts. There are a variety of certification standards from different countries that determine the extent to which the products are expected to break down and how much potential toxic waste they may release into the environment.

Compostable products are all biodegradable, as composting is a form of biodegradation. Compostable products require specific environmental conditions (like high heat) and break down into end products containing nutrient-rich biomass. Compostable products may be home compostable or industrially compostable. Products that are home compostable include fruit peels and coffee grounds, which can easily break down in the surrounding environment without any additional monitoring or input. More complex products that may attract pests are recommended to be industrially composted, as commercial composting facilities have the resources to constantly monitor the composting process, and regulate consistent environmental conditions, including oxygen levels, temperature and water levels. This optimises both the rate of composting and the quality of the nutrient-rich output. Compostable products must also comply with certification standards, which are typically established by the region. For example, in Europe, EN 13432, and in the U.S., ASTM D6400. These standards will determine the degree of compostability of certified products, and may vary depending on the product.

Organic

Organic certifications depend on the country and region’s standard for organic content. The most common organic certifications include USDA, EU, JAS, NASAA and many more. Each nation has its own organisation that helps maintain this organic standard for products sourced from that country. Organic material in itself is material that’s made out of other living organisms, and doesn’t contain synthetic components. There may also be different types of organic certification on products, for example, USDA certifications include; “100% organic” (100% organic content), “organic” (at least 95% organic content), “made with organic” (at least 70% organic content) and “specific organic ingredients” (less than 70% organic content). Understanding each type of organic certification provides a better awareness not only of how purchased products will later break down into end products, but also how different brands commit to environmental sustainability and promote greener choices.

OVO: Planet. Power. Period.

OVOTM is a menstrual hygiene brand that believes that every woman has a right to good health and deserves access to products that support her health, dignity, and well-being. OVO products hold a variety of third-party certifications, including being dermatologically tested and industrially compostable according to EN 13432, as well as being USDA Certified Biobased. The pads are composed of bamboo-based cellulose, FSC wood cellulose, plant-based bioplastic, paper and cardboard for packaging. Free of toxins and microplastics, OVO combines innovation with sustainability to create plant-based menstrual hygiene products, which honour the body’s natural rhythms while protecting the world around us. Know what’s in your pad, be a part of OVO’s heart and join the movement www.TheOVO.co.

Disclosure

Aishu Santosh is currently working for 149 Technologies, which provides sustainable menstrual hygiene products through OVO.

Aishu’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aishu-santosh

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