Choosing pads shouldn’t feel like guesswork.
But for a long time, that’s exactly how period care has worked.
Reassuring language. Soft colours. Vague claims.
Very little actual information.
The Bloody Fine Print exists to change that.
Not by telling you what to buy but by helping you know what to look for.
Because once you know what questions to ask, the aisle looks very different.
Start with this question: what’s actually in it?
Most pad packaging tells you how a product works, not what it’s made of.
Phrases like:
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“Absorbent core”
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“Soft topsheet”
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“Odour control technology”
are legally acceptable. But they’re not ingredient lists.
When you’re choosing pads, look for brands that tell you:
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What each layer is made from
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What materials are being used
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And what’s not included
If you can’t find that information easily, that’s already an answer.
Look past how it sounds
Words like gentle, cottony, clean, or natural describe a feeling - not a material.
They’re designed to reassure, not inform.
A pad that sounds soft isn’t necessarily breathable. A pad that sounds natural isn’t necessarily made from natural fibres.
Good period care doesn’t rely on vibes. It relies on clarity.
Ask whether the language explains function or composition
Here’s a useful rule of thumb:
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Function: what the product does
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Composition: what the product is made of
“Absorbs liquid” is function.
“Made from X material” is composition.
Both matter. But only one tells you what’s actually touching your body.
If a brand stops at function, you’re reading the Bloody Fine Print.
Consider breathability, not just leak protection
Leak protection is important. So is airflow.
Pads that rely heavily on plastic layers can trap heat and moisture - even if the rest of the product is marketed as eco-friendly or skin-kind.
Look for information about:
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Backsheet materials
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Breathability
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Whether plastic is used, and where
Sustainability and comfort are often decided by the layers you’re not shown.
Pay attention to what’s added and why
Added fragrances, antimicrobial treatments, or “odour technologies” are often used to mask smells rather than address comfort.
Periods don’t need disguising.
And healthy vulvas don’t need sterilising.
If a product includes added treatments, you should be able to see:
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What they are
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Why they’re there
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And whether they’re necessary for you
Silence isn’t neutral. It just shifts the decision away from you.
Transparency isn’t about perfection
No pad is perfect.
And no single product works for everyone.
Transparency isn’t about claiming to have the “best” solution.
It’s about giving you enough information to decide what works for your body.
That means:
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Clear ingredient lists
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Honest explanations
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And evidence where claims are made
Anything less is asking for trust without proof.
The standard we think period care should meet
At Mooncup, we believe choosing pads should feel more like choosing skincare than guessing at packaging.
You should be able to:
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Read what’s in it
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Understand why it’s there
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And feel confident about what you’re using
Because if a product goes near your vulva, you deserve to know what it’s made of.
That’s the Bloody Fine Print.
And once you know how to read it, you don’t have to accept anything less.
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.
