“Cottony soft topsheet” (or something similar) is one of the most common phrases you’ll see on pad packaging.
It sounds natural. Gentle. Reassuring.
But here’s the thing: cottony doesn’t mean cotton.
It describes how something feels, not what it’s made from. And in period care, that distinction is doing a lot of work.
What a topsheet actually is.
The topsheet is the layer of a pad that sits directly against your vulva. It’s the part your skin touches for hours at a time.
So you’d expect clear information about what it’s made of. Instead, you’re often given language like “cottony soft”, “silky”, or “gentle-touch” - words that describe texture, not material.
That’s allowed.
What “cottony” usually means in practice.
In many mainstream pads, a “cottony soft topsheet” is not made from cotton at all.
It’s often made from synthetic fibres such as rayon or polypropylene, materials chosen for smoothness, cost, and performance. They can feel soft, but they’re still manufactured fibres.
There’s nothing in the phrase “cottony soft” that tells you:
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Whether the material is natural or synthetic
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How breathable it is
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How it behaves against sensitive skin
And because pads don’t have to list full ingredients, brands aren’t required to clarify. That’s the Bloody Fine Print.
Why this matters for vulval skin.
The vulva is made up of highly absorbent, sensitive tissue. Breathability matters. Material choice matters.
A topsheet that feels soft isn’t the same as one that allows airflow or moisture movement. And when synthetic fibres are used without disclosure, people can’t make informed choices based on their own skin needs.
Clinical reviews of contact dermatitis note that textiles and personal care product materials can trigger irritation, especially when specific fibres or additives are unknown to the user.
This isn’t about saying synthetic materials are inherently “bad”. It’s about saying you should know what you’re using.
Why this language would feel odd elsewhere.
Imagine buying underwear described as: “cottony feel.”
No fabric breakdown. No materials listed. Just reassurance.
You’d expect more clarity because it goes next to your skin.
Pads are no different. They just operate under lower expectations.
Same body. Different standards.
What transparency actually looks like.
At Mooncup, we don’t use “cottony” as a stand-in for information. We tell you exactly what the topsheet is made from.
Our pads use GOTS-certified organic cotton topsheet - a breathable, hypoallergenic natural fibre that’s designed to work with your body, not just feel soft to the touch.
We name the material. We list the ingredients. And we don’t rely on texture words to do the explaining for us.
Why this isn’t about marketing.
This isn’t about claiming one material is right for everyone. It’s about recognising that language shapes expectations and that when vague words replace real information, people lose the ability to choose.
“Cottony soft” sounds like an answer. It isn’t. It’s a feeling. Not a material.
And that’s worth noticing.
Read the Bloody Fine Print.
Once you start looking past how period products sound and into what they’re actually made of, it becomes harder to accept reassurance without detail.
That’s the Bloody Fine Print.
And it applies to every layer.
Blog disclaimer
Our blog is intended to share information and ideas around periods, health, and sustainability. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up to date, things can change over time. The information here is not intended as medical advice — for any health-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For more information on our claims, please see our Claims Page, and for the most up-to-date product information, please visit our Product Pages.
