For a better experience on always.com, please enable JavaScript in your browser.
  • Part of the P&G Family
  • Tampax
  • Always Discreet

What are Always products made of?


Original

What are Always products made of?

Always Ultra Thin PadsAlways Maxi PadsAlways ZZZ Period UnderwearAlways ZZZ Overnight PadsYour Questions, Our Answers

What are Always products made of?

Always products are designed to provide you with the comfort and protection you deserve during your period.

What are Always products really made of? This is a commonly asked question and we want to make you sure you have the answers on what ingredients and materials are in your Always products, so you can feel confident in the safety of our products!

The purpose of a menstrual pad is to, of course, absorb menstrual fluids. Always pads are made with purposeful ingredients to help give you up to 100% leak-free comfort throughout your period. Since feminine pads are considered a medical device, all Always products and ingredients are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The components of our Always pads and underwear have been reviewed for safety by physicians and scientists.

*based on a 2021 survey

All Always products and ingredients undergo a thorough assessment to ensure they can be used safely in period products. Always is proud to be the #1 US OB/GYN Recommended Pad Brand! To learn more about Always products and ingredients, explore below!

  • Always Ultra Thin PadAlways Ultra Thin Pad

  • Always Maxi PadAlways Maxi Pad

  • Always ZZZ Period UnderwearAlways ZZZ Period Underwear

  • Always ZZZ Overnight PadAlways ZZZ Overnight Pad

Reinvented* from the inside out, Always Ultra Thin pads feature advanced 3X protection System for up 100% leak-free comfort. Thanks to RapidDRY, the pads absorb three times faster than the leading store brand to wick away gushes in seconds. Plus, the LeakGUARD core locks in leaks for long-lasting protection, while OdorLOCK neutralizes odors to help you feel fresh and clean all day long.

*vs. previous Always Ultra

Always Ultra Thin ingredients are purposefully selected to give you the comfort and period protection you deserve. Learn more about our pad ingredients with the interactive diagram and table below!

Topsheet

Helps menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into absorbent core

Secondary Topsheet & Absorbent Core

Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid

Backsheet

Helps keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear

Adhesives

Used to ensure pad adheres to underwear

Soft top layer made of synthetic materials like those used in clothing and in underwear. These synthetic materials allow menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into the absorbent core and help you stay clean and dry.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from a mix of absorbent cellulose and absorbent gel material. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper. Absorbent gel is added to the core to improve the absorbency.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from a mix of absorbent cellulose and absorbent gel material. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper. Absorbent gel is added to the core to improve the absorbency.
Moisture proof barrier layer made from synthetic materials to help keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear.
Adhesive is used to ensure pad adheres to underwear and keeps pad layers together.

If you think all pads are exactly the same - think again. Discover the completely reinvented* Always Maxi pads with 3X Protection System for up to 100% leak-free comfort. Thanks to RapidDRY, the pads absorb three times faster than the leading store brand to wick away gushes in seconds. It's Always like never before.

*vs. previous Always Maxi

Always Maxi Pad ingredients are purposefully selected to give you the comfort and period protection you deserve. Learn more about our pad ingredients with the interactive diagram and table below!

Topsheet

Helps menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into absorbent core

Secondary Topsheet & Absorbent Core

Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid

Backsheet

Helps keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear

Adhesives

Used to ensure pad adheres to underwear

Soft top layer made of synthetic materials like those used in clothing and in underwear. These synthetic materials allow menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into the absorbent core and help you stay clean and dry.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from absorbent cellulose. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from absorbent cellulose. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper.
Moisture proof barrier layer made from synthetic materials to help keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear.
Adhesive is used to ensure pad adheres to underwear and keeps pad layers together.

Dreaming about a worry-free night’s sleep on your period? Discover Always ZZZ Overnight Period Underwear with 360º coverage for worry-free nights, no matter how you sleep. Always ZZZ Period Underwear absorbs as much as five Always Ultra Thin pads, so there’s no backup required. The underwear is made with a silky soft and breathable material for a comfortable feel and stays in place thanks to the panty-like fit.

Always ZZZ Overnight Period Underwear ingredients are purposefully selected to give you the comfort and period protection you deserve. Learn more about our underwear ingredients with the interactive diagram and table below!

Underwear Material

Designed to feel just like your underwear

Elastics

For a stretchy and comfortable fit

Topsheet

Helps menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into absorbent core

Absorbent Core

Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid

Odor Neutralizing Technology

Light scent

Backsheet

Helps keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear

Adhesives

Used to keep pad layers together

Silky soft and breathable nonwoven material. Pad portion is built into Underwear.
Elastic strands to help the underwear stretch and conform for a smooth fit.
Soft top layer made of synthetic materials like those used in clothing and in underwear. These synthetic materials allow menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into the absorbent core.
Core is made of 2 layers:
1. The first layer is made from absorbent cellulose. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper.
2. The second layer is made of absorbent gel material. Absorbent gel is added to the core to improve the absorbency.
Our Odor Neutralizing Technology is an exclusive material that contains selected components with a light scent, like perfume, to neutralize malodor.
Moisture proof barrier layer made from synthetic materials to help keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear.

Thoughts of period leaks keeping you up at night? Discover Always ZZZ Overnight Pads with our widest coverage* for worry-free nights, no matter how you sleep. Always ZZZ Overnight Pads are designed specifically for night and absorbs as much as two Always Ultra Thin pads. Plus, the pads come with LeakGuards to help prevent leaks at the sides.*vs Always Pads

Always ZZZ Overnight Pads ingredients are purposefully selected to give you the comfort and period protection you deserve. Learn more about our pad ingredients with the interactive diagram and table below!

Topsheet

Helps menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into absorbent core

Secondary Topsheet & Absorbent Core

Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid

Backsheet

Helps keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear

Adhesives

Used to ensure pad adheres to underwear

Soft top layer made of synthetic materials like those used in clothing and in underwear. These synthetic materials allow menstrual fluid to quickly pass through into the absorbent core and help you stay clean and dry.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from absorbent cellulose. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper.
Secondary topsheet absorbs and distributes menstrual fluid to core. Core layer is made from absorbent cellulose. Cellulose is derived from trees and is also used in making paper.
Moisture proof barrier layer made from synthetic materials to help keep menstrual fluid from leaking on to underwear.
Adhesive is used to ensure pad adheres to underwear and keeps pad layers together.

Your Questions, Our Answers

Are Always pads tested for safety?Are Always pads tested for safety?

Our pads are used safely by millions of women, every day. Your safety is at the center of everything we do and so our products are rigorously tested, with over 200 quality tests carried out on our products during manufacture before use.

How do you ensure the safety of Always products?How do you ensure the safety of Always products?

Only the products and the materials that meet our 4-step science-based safety standards can go to market. Globally, we have more than 200 in-house experts who are devoted to environmental safety, human safety and regulatory compliance for all our products and ingredients. Our products are considered medical devices in the U.S. and, therefore, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information about our safety process, check out this safety video. Always is the #1 recommended pad brand by U.S. OB/GYNs.

What are Always pads made of?What are Always pads made of?

Our Always products are made from materials designed to provide you with the comfort and protection you deserve during your period. These substances are commonly and safely used in a range of hygiene products, including other brands of feminine care products. Explore the above chart and diagram to learn more about Always pads and underwear, their ingredients, and the purpose of each ingredient. Always product ingredients can also be found listed on the packaging by mid 2021.

Will Always products cause allergies or irritation?Will Always products cause allergies or irritation?

The components of our Always products have been extensively evaluated to ensure that the likelihood of causing skin irritation or allergies is rare. All components undergo a thorough assessment to ensure they can be used safely. It is rare to experience irritation; however, this could be as a result of a personal sensitivity, and we would suggest you stop using the product and discuss any symptoms with a medical professional.

Are Always pads scented? Can scented pads be used safely down there? Are Always pads scented? Can scented pads be used safely down there?

Only select Always products are scented - Select Always Ultra Thin Pads have a fresh scent to help mask odors and Always ZZZ Period Underwear have a light scent to help neutralize odors. The fragrance used in Always products meet the strict safety standards set by the International Fragrance Association, the world’s leading authority on fragrance safety.
All other Always pads are unscented. We recommend our unscented products for those who prefer fragrance-free products or who may be sensitive to fragrances.

Is there chlorine bleaching in Always products?Is there chlorine bleaching in Always products?

No, none of our pads contain chlorine bleach – the fibers used in our pads are purified using an elemental chlorine-free purification process.