L. pads are generally considered safe for regular use. They’re made with an organic cotton top layer and an absorbent pulp core, which puts them in line with or ahead of many conventional pad brands in terms of material transparency. That said, there are a few specific concerns worth understanding, particularly around one ingredient that has drawn legal attention.
What L. Pads Are Made Of
L. pads use a breathable cotton top layer (the part that touches your skin), an absorbent pulp core made of cellulose, and a waterproof back sheet. The full ingredient list includes cellulose, cotton, polyethylene, hot melt adhesive, polypropylene, titanium dioxide, and glycerin. They’re unscented, which eliminates a common source of irritation found in some conventional pads that use fragrance.
The cotton top layer is a meaningful difference from many mainstream pads, which use synthetic materials against the skin. Synthetic top sheets can trap heat and moisture, contributing to irritation for some people. Cotton is more breathable, and L. markets theirs as organic cotton specifically.
The Titanium Dioxide Question
The ingredient that has drawn the most scrutiny in L. products is titanium dioxide. This is a white pigment commonly used in everything from sunscreen to food products to paper goods. In pads and tampons, it’s typically used to whiten the material.
Multiple women have filed lawsuits against L. Organic, alleging that the presence of titanium dioxide in their products contradicts the brand’s “100% organic” marketing. The lawsuits also allege the compound may cause reproductive harm. Titanium dioxide has been classified by some regulatory bodies as a possible concern when inhaled (which is why it’s been restricted in certain powdered products), but the risk profile for skin contact at the levels found in menstrual products is less clear. The lawsuits appear to have wound down, with at least one major firm no longer accepting new cases for L. brand tampons.
It’s worth noting that titanium dioxide appears in a wide range of menstrual products across many brands, not just L. Its presence doesn’t automatically make a product dangerous, but if you prefer to avoid it entirely, you’ll need to check ingredient lists carefully regardless of which brand you choose.
PFAS and Menstrual Products
One broader safety concern in the menstrual product space involves PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds are used to make materials water-resistant or stain-resistant, and they break down extremely slowly in the body and environment.
Research published in a peer-reviewed journal tested menstrual underwear and found that every layer of all garments tested contained detectable levels of PFAS, with concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.69 nanograms per gram of fabric. The inner layers worn against the genitals also contained PFAS, suggesting a direct exposure route. Nonmenstrual underwear consistently showed lower PFAS levels, which researchers said points to possible intentional addition of fluorinated compounds in menstrual products.
This research focused on menstrual underwear rather than disposable pads like L.’s, so it doesn’t directly implicate the brand. However, no publicly available independent lab testing has confirmed whether L. pads specifically contain or are free of PFAS. If this is a concern for you, it’s reasonable to look for brands that publish third-party PFAS testing results.
Bleaching and Processing
The pulp used in menstrual pads is bleached to achieve a white color, and the method matters. Older chlorine gas bleaching processes can leave behind dioxin residues, which are known carcinogens. Most modern pad manufacturers, including those making products for major retailers, have moved to elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching. This method significantly reduces dioxin residues compared to older techniques, though it doesn’t eliminate chlorine compounds entirely.
A step above ECF is totally chlorine-free (TCF) processing, which uses no chlorine compounds at all. L. does not prominently advertise TCF processing for their pads. If avoiding any chlorine byproducts is a priority, look specifically for brands that state “totally chlorine free” on their packaging.
How L. Compares to Other Pads
Relative to conventional pads from major brands, L. pads offer a few advantages: an organic cotton top sheet, no added fragrance, and a published ingredient list. Many conventional pads don’t disclose their full ingredient lists at all, which makes it harder to evaluate what you’re actually using.
Compared to other organic or “clean” pad brands, L. is roughly comparable in materials but has faced more legal scrutiny due to its marketing claims. The core concern in the lawsuits wasn’t that L. pads are uniquely harmful. It was that calling a product “organic” while it contains synthetic compounds like titanium dioxide and polyethylene could mislead consumers about what they’re getting.
For most people, L. pads are a reasonable choice that avoids some of the more common irritants in conventional products. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to contact irritation, the cotton top layer and lack of fragrance are genuine benefits. If your priority is avoiding all synthetic additives, you may want to explore brands that use fewer processed materials and publish independent testing for contaminants like PFAS and heavy metals.