Natracare Ultra Extra Regular Period Pads

Important note on pads and panty liners

Pads and panty liners are close-contact products, so I pay attention to material choices and how clearly a brand explains what the pad is actually made from. In an imperfect, highly processed world, I focus on choosing better or best low-tox options where possible, based on what the brand clearly states and the information that’s available.

What I avoid / What I look for

When choosing pads or panty liners, I focus on things that are easy to verify from labels and brand websites. I look to avoid added fragrance, colorants or dyes, polyethylene glycol (PEGs), ethoxylated ingredients, parabens, bisphenols like BPA, petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum or mineral oil, and synthetic fibers like rayon when they’re clearly stated.

I also look for an organic cotton contact layer whenever possible. Seeing organic cotton listed gives me more confidence around how the cotton is grown and processed. Clear material claims, certifications, and straightforward brand language matter to me when deciding whether a product feels like a better low-tox option.

Product description

Natracare Ultra Extra Regular Pads are individually wrapped pads designed for medium to light flow, with wings for a secure fit and an extra-cushion layer. The brand states the pad is made with certified organic cotton, ecologically certified cellulose pulp, and plant starch. The brand also lists a BPA-free, medical-grade polymer used for the glue, a plant-starch wrapper, and recycled cardboard packaging.

Because the contact layer is organic cotton, I feel more confident about pesticide exposure than with conventional cotton. I also dug deeper and found that independent testing conducted by Mamavation did not detect PFAS in this brand.

Certifications and testing

Vegetarian Society Vegan Approved (brand stated).
Nordic Swan Ecolabel (brand stated).
MADE SAFE (brand stated).
USDA Certified Biobased Product (brand stated).
Compostable to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 (brand stated).
PFAS not detected in third-party testing reported by Mamavation.

What I like

I like that the brand clearly breaks down the materials used for the pad, adhesive, wrapper, and packaging instead of keeping things vague. I also appreciate that the contact layer is certified organic cotton and that the pads are free from added fragrance and dyes.

Things to keep in mind

Even in cleaner pad options, some functional materials are still used for performance, like adhesives. For me, this still comes down to choosing the best available option based on what a brand is transparent about.