Ingredient Glossary

Ever wonder what ingredients are in your absorbent hygiene products? This glossary can help you understand what it is and why it’s there.

2,6-Dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol
Fragrance ingredient

(C16-18) AND (C18) Unsaturated Alkylcarboxylic Acid
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenyl acetate
A substance of high molecular weight that is used in absorbent hygiene products to hold together the layers of the center core that absorbs fluid for a comfortable and dry wearing experience.

Acetate/Ethylene/Hydroxymethylacrylamide/Acrylamide Copolymer
Enhances the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of a material to repel fluid in absorbent hygiene products.

Alkyl Phosphate Salt
Aloe Vera

Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Used in absorbent hygiene materials to provide white opacity and brightness.

Aluminum hydroxide
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Amides, from hydrogenated tallow and tetraethylenepentamine, polymers with epichlorohydrin and polyethylene glycol
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ammonium (methyl(oleoyl)amino)acetate

Behenyl Alcohol
Butylated Hydroxytoluene or BHT is used in absorbent hygiene products as an antioxidant to help protect the layers from deterioration.

BHT
A color additive, as defined by regulation, is any dye, pigment, or other substance that can impart color to a food, drug, or cosmetic or to the human body. Color additives are important components of many products, making them attractive, appealing, appetizing, and informative (Source: FDA).

Bromocresol Green
An ultraviolet (UV) light absorber used to protect materials from UV light

BUMETRIZOLE
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

C12-14 Sec-Pareth-3, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
According to the INCI, “the term Pareth applies to ethoxylated paraffinic alcohols.” In absorbent hygiene products, these ingredients are used in some layers to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of a material to repel fluid.

C12-15 Pareth-9
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

C20-40 Alketh-10
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

C20-40 Alketh-3
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is an inorganic salt used as opacifier or to provide breathability in some layers

Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is a salt and is used in period products to prevent over-swelling and gel blocking of the absorbent polymer, increasing core utilization.

Capryleth-4
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of a material to repel fluid.

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Helps Neutralize Odor

Cellulose
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ceteareths (Ceteareth-10, Ceteareth-20)
An absorbent fiber made from wood pulp that, in period products, pulls in and absorbs fluid for wetness protection.

Cetearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol
Are liquids to waxy solids and are used in some layers of period products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of a material to repel fluids.

Charcoal
In period products, these ingredients are used to balance the moisture level and feel of material against skin.

COLORANT OR COLOR ADDITIVE
A color additive, as defined by regulation, is any dye, pigment, or other substance that can impart color to a food, drug, or cosmetic or to the human body. Color additives are important components of many products, making them attractive, appealing, appetizing, and informative (Source: FDA).
The following are colorants used in period products to color remind materials or in a printing ink to provide a decorative design:
Pigment Black 2; Pigment Black 7; Pigment Blue 15; Pigment Green 7; Pigment Orange 16; Pigment Red 122; Pigment Red 146; Pigment Red 176; Pigment Red 184; Pigment Red 48; Pigment Red 48:2; Pigment Red 48:3; Pigment Red 52:1; Pigment Red 53:1; Pigment Red 57; Pigment Red 57:1; Pigment Violet 19; Pigment Violet 23; Pigment White 21; Pigment White 6; Pigment Yellow 13; Pigment Yellow 14; Pigment Yellow 151; Pigment Yellow 180; Pigment Yellow 185; Pigment Yellow 83; Polyoxyalkylene Substituted Chromophore (Blue, Red, Violet); Solvent Blue 104

Cotton / Organic Cotton
In period products, cotton is used to help skin feel clean and comfortable as well as an absorbent fiber for wetness or leakage protection.

Deceth-4 Phosphate
A surfactant used in some layers of period products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Dicocodimonium Chloride
A surfactant that is used in some layers of period products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Dimethyl, methyl (polyethylene oxide acetate-capped) siloxane
A surfactant used in some layers of period products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ditallowethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
A surfactant used in some layers of period hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Drometrizole
A surfactant used in some layers of hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ethoxylated Castor Oil Dilaurate
In period products it is used to protect the product or materials from deterioration by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering UV rays.

Ethoxylated Fatty Acid Esters
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ethylene Carbonate
A surfactant used in some layers of period products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Ethylene/MA Copolymer
In period products it is used as an aid in helping to keep ingredients combined.

Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Some layers of absorbent hygiene products contain this substance that delivers softness, durability, and protection.

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Ethoxylates
Some layers of absorbent hygiene products contain this substance that delivers softness, durability, and protection.

Fragrance
Some layers of period products contain this substance that delivers softness, durability, and protection.

Glycerin
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Glyceryl Dioleate
A chemical mixture that has a smell or odor (Source IFRA). It imparts a pleasant smell to hygiene products upon opening package.

Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate
In period products glycerin helps to balance the moisture level and feel of material against skin.

Glyceryl Oleate
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

HEXANEDIOIC ACID
A component of hot melt adhesives, which are used to adhere different materials together in period products

Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Hydrolyzed Silk
A component of hot melt adhesives, which are used to adhere different materials together in period products

HYDROXYETHYL STARCH
Added to help keep skin soft and smooth

Lactic Acid
A component of hot melt adhesives, which are used to adhere different materials together in period products

Methoxy PEG-10 Cocoate
Lactic acid is a versatile compound used in various products. It is used in some absorbent hygiene products as an acidifier or pH adjuster.

Microcrystalline Wax
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Mineral Oil
Used in adhesives to provide lubrication and viscosity (thickness) modification

OLEAMIDE
Used in adhesives to provide lubrication and viscosity (thickness) modification

Oleoyl Sarcosine
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Oleyl Palmitamide
A surfactant used in some layers of absorbent hygiene products to enhance the feel, breathability, absorbency, or the ability of the material to repel fluid.

Water
Used as a liquid base of a product and helps keep ingredients combined.

Wood Pulp
Used in the absorbent core of period products to pull in and absorb fluids for wetness protection.

Zinc Oxide
Used in absorbent hygiene products to help keep the skin dry.

Commonly Used Terms

The below terms are defined to assist in the understanding of those menstrual product ingredients listed on the Glossary.

Alcohol

Alcohols are a large class of compounds characterized by one or more hydroxyl groups. Alcohols may be considered as derivatives of water. They are used as sweeteners and in making perfumes, are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of other compounds, and are among the most abundantly produced chemicals in industry.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants are substances that prevent or slow deterioration of a product due to chemical reaction with oxygen.

Carrier

Is a nonwoven, or a barrier film, or tissue liner where the absorbent core is deposited to be transported through the production line.

Copolymer

Is a polymer derived from more than one species of monomer. In absorbent hygiene products copolymers are used for a variety of functions such as absorbents, adhesives, binders, etc.

Fatty Acid

A compound that consists of a carboxyl group (oxygen, carbon and hydrogen) attached to a chain of carbon atoms with their associated hydrogen atoms. A major class of animal and vegetable fats are made up of various combinations of fatty acids (in sets of three) connected to a glycerol molecule, making them triglycerides.

Hydrophilic

Water loving; materials having a strong affinity for water and other polar substances. In absorbent hygiene products most top layers have been treated with surfactants to create a hydrophilic surface that will let liquids pass so that they are absorbed by the core.

Hydrophobic

Literally means “the fear of water.” Hydrophobic molecules and surfaces repel water and other polar substances. This means when hydrophobic items come in contact with polar liquids like water and bodily fluids, the liquids are encouraged to bead up and roll off the surface like a magnet pushes away metal objects. In absorbent hygiene products some material layers have this feature to provide a dry barrier, while withstanding moisture.

Polymer

Polymer, any of a class of substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. For example, many materials used as plastics and resins are polymers.

Preservative

A preservative is an ingredient that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals and personal care products to prevent spoilage, whether from microbial growth or undesirable chemical changes. The use of preservatives is essential in most products to prevent product damage caused by microorganisms and to protect the product from inadvertent contamination by the consumer during use. A preservative may also be added to a product to protect it against damage and degradation caused by exposure to oxygen, and in this instance, these ingredients are also called antioxidants.

Surfactant

A short form term for surface acting agent. A surface acting agent, or surfactant, is a chemical that helps two substances that normally do not mix to become dissolved or dispersed in one another. The surfactant is able to bridge between two otherwise immiscible materials because it has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. There are utilized in every industrial area ranging from household detergents to drilling muds and food items to pharmaceuticals and absorbent hygiene products.