When it comes to personal hygiene products, especially those for intimate use, safety is key. Everyone wants products that work well and are safe. But how often do we think about what's in a sanitary pad or diaper?
Raw materials in hygiene products can seem hard to understand because they use words like "fluff pulp." At Family Cares, we want to be open with you so you know what you're using.
We know you care about safety, so we want to show you how we make our sanitary products safe. We have 9 international certifications, like FDA and CE, which means we're dedicated to quality and safety. We'll explain where our materials come from—from the softest fluff pulp to the adhesives—and how each goes through a 4-stage safety test to make sure there are no skin irritants, heavy metals, or bad stuff.
The Base of Comfort: Fluff Pulp—More Than Just Soft
Fluff pulp is a big part of absorbent hygiene products. It's specially made to form the absorbent part of pads and diapers. It helps absorb fluid quickly and works with other materials. But its safety is as important as how well it works.
What Is Fluff Pulp?
Fluff pulp is a fiber from wood, like spruce or pine. It's good at absorbing liquids. The soft feel of a sanitary pad comes from the fluff pulp used.
FDA Certification: A Safety Standard
Our fluff pulp must have FDA certification. The FDA has strict rules for materials in medical devices and products that touch the body. For fluff pulp, this means:
- No Bad Stuff: The FDA checks to make sure there are no harmful chemicals, toxins, or pesticide residue in the product.
- Stable Chemicals: The pulp must be stable and not react to body fluids or other parts of the product.
- Purity Checked: We regularly check the pulp to make sure it's pure and meets standards.
We get our fluff pulp from suppliers that follow FDA rules. They also have forest certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), which means they're sustainable and responsible. This makes sure our product is safe and ethical from the start.
4-Stage Safety Testing for Fluff Pulp: More Than Just Certified
Besides FDA certification, we test our fluff pulp in 4 stages:
- Check Chemicals: We test for chlorine, dioxins, and other harmful chemicals. We make sure it's pure cellulose without unwanted additives.
- Check for Metals: We use equipment to find any traces of heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Our standard keeps these below safety limits to protect against toxicity or skin reactions.
- Check for Germs: We test samples of fluff pulp to make sure there are no harmful bacteria, yeast, or mold. This stops germs from getting into the product and causing infection or irritation.
- Check Fibers and Allergens: We check the fibers to make sure they're strong and test for allergens or irritants. This keeps the fluff pulp hypoallergenic and working well without causing skin issues.
This makes sure our fluff pulp is absorbent, soft, and safe for use.
The Powerhouse: Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP)—Locking in Fluid
Next, we'll talk about Super Absorbent Polymer, or SAP. This material is amazing at absorbing liquid. When you see a pad or diaper swell up when it touches liquid, that’s SAP turning the fluid into a gel and locking it away from the skin.
How Does SAP Work?
SAP has chains of polymers that can absorb hundreds of times their weight in liquid. This keeps you dry and comfortable, preventing leaks and reducing skin dampness.
Why SAP Safety Is Important
SAP absorbs body fluids and touches sensitive skin, so safety is important. Some worry about its chemicals, but SAP is safe when made well.
Our SAP is
- Non-Irritating: Gentle and doesn't react with skin, so it won't cause irritation or allergies.
- Chemically Inert: After absorbing fluid, it locks it away and doesn't let chemicals back onto the skin.
- Medical-Grade: Our SAP meets medical standards, so it's pure and safe.
4-Stage Safety Testing for SAP: Checking Purity
To make sure our SAP is safe, we test it in 4 stages:
- Check Monomer Content: We test for acrylic acid (a monomer used in SAP production). Our standard says it must be almost undetectable to prevent skin irritation.
- Check pH Level: The SAP must have a neutral pH when wet to keep the skin healthy.
- Check for Metals and Impurities: We test for heavy metals and other impurities to prevent skin absorption or issues.
- Check for Skin Issues: We test to see if the SAP can cause skin issues. This involves testing on cells to make sure it's safe to touch.
This ensures that SAP's absorbency doesn't hurt your health or comfort.
The Layers: Non-Woven Fabrics & Adhesive – Skin-Friendly
Besides the absorbent part, the outer layers of sanitary products, made of non-woven fabrics and adhesives, are important for comfort and safety. These touch your skin, so they must be gentle and pure.
Non-Woven Fabrics: Soft and Breathable
Non-woven fabrics are textile-like materials made of fibers, like polypropylene or polyethylene. In hygiene products, they're used for the top layer (touching your skin) and the back layer (the outer layer).
We choose non-woven fabrics that are:
- Soft: To prevent rubbing and give comfort.
- Breathable: To let air in, reducing moisture and the risk of skin irritation or bacteria.
- Hypoallergenic: Gentle and won't react to sensitive skin.
Adhesive Layers: Safe and Gentle
The adhesive on sanitary pads keeps the pad in place. But it must be gentle, not irritating, and not leave residue on underwear.
Our adhesives are:
- Skin-Friendly: Inert and won't react to skin, even when warm and moist.
- Strong: Holds the pad without damaging fabric.
- Residue-Free: Easy to remove.
4-Stage Safety Testing for Non-Wovens & Adhesives: Contact & Purity
These materials go through testing focused on skin compatibility and purity:
- Skin Test: Non-woven fabrics and adhesives are tested on humans to check for redness, itching, or allergies.
- Chemical Test: We test for chemicals that might come from the materials when wet and hot. We also check for harmful gases.
- Fiber Test: For non-wovens, we check for loose fibers. For adhesives, we check for residue on skin or clothes.
- Metal and Chemical Test: We check for heavy metals and chemicals to make sure they're absent or below safe levels.
This testing ensures that the product is safe and comfortable.
Our Word: 9 International Certifications & Dedication
At Family Cares, we care about safety in every part of our product. Our materials go through safety tests, and we follow 9 international certifications, including:
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration): Meeting U.S. safety standards.
- CE Marking (Conformité Européenne): Following European safety standards.
- ISO Certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485): Having quality management systems for making medical devices.
- SGS Certification: Checking product quality and safety.
These show our commitment to safety, quality, and the environment. When you choose Family Cares, you're choosing a product that's tested and certified for your safety and comfort. We believe being open and having safety standards is how we earn your trust.