CARE ASSISTANT
SKWhat Our Absorbent Products Are Made Of
You place this product against your skin, sometimes overnight, sometimes every day for years. You have the right to know what is in it. This page explains it, without jargon, and also states what we do not know.
What Is in an Absorbent Product
An absorbent product is an assembly of layers. Each performs a specific function, and their sequence explains why a product remains dry on the surface while retaining a large volume of liquid.
| Layer | Material | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Topsheet, against the skin | Hydrophilic nonwoven (polypropylene) | Allows liquid to pass through to the inside and drain away—this keeps the surface dry to the touch. |
| Side barriers | Hydrophobic nonwoven (polypropylene) | Repels liquid instead of absorbing it: this prevents side leaks. |
| Acquisition distribution layer (ADL) | Engineered nonwoven | Distributes liquid along the entire length instead of letting it pool in one spot. Without it, even a highly absorbent product will leak. |
| Absorbent core | Cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) | The pulp absorbs liquid quickly; the superabsorbent polymer locks it in under pressure and prevents wet-back when sitting down. |
| Core wrap | Cellulose tissue | Holds the core in place so it does not shift or bunch up when wet. |
| Backsheet | Polyethylene film, or film laminated with a nonwoven for a textile feel | Prevents liquid from leaking through. The textile version is breathable and makes less noise. |
| Elastics | Elastic threads or bands, elastic waistband | Hold the product snug against the body where leaks may occur. |
| Fasteners | Refastenable tapes and landing zone | Allow for adjusting, opening, and resealing without damaging the product. |
| Adhesives | Hot-melt adhesives | Bond the layers together. They do not come into contact with the skin. |
| Wetness indicator | Reactive ink | Changes colour when the product needs to be changed. Featured on part of the range. |
| Packaging | Polyethylene film or cardboard | Protects the product until use. |
The exact composition varies from one range and size to another: not all products feature an elastic waistband, a wetness indicator, or a textile-feel backsheet. The packaging of your product is authoritative.
Why These Materials
They are not chosen for modern appeal. They are chosen because they do the job:
- Cellulose fluff pulp absorbs quickly and is cost-effective—it provides volume.
- Superabsorbent polymer locks liquid in: it turns liquid into gel and retains it even
under body weight. It is what prevents wetness from pressing back onto the skin.
- Nonwovens allow us, using the same polymer, to create one layer that lets liquid pass
through and another that repels it—depending on whether it is treated. This makes all the difference between the topsheet and the side barriers.
- The film seals the system. Without it, liquid would soak straight through.
What We Measure
Our absorption capacities are measured in a laboratory using a 0.9% saline solution that mimics urine, according to a standardized method. They serve to **compare our products with one another**—not to predict how long a product will last for you, which depends on you.
What We Will Not Tell You Lightly
European regulations do not require materials to be listed on the packaging of an absorbent product, as is required for food or cosmetics. Many manufacturers leave it at that. We prefer to publish the table above.
However, we will not replace an absence of information with a reassuring claim. If you have a known sensitivity, an allergy, or if you are preparing care for skin that is already fragile, write to us with the exact reference and the batch number stated on the packaging: we will reply regarding that specific product, with the supplier’s data sheet, rather than a generalization about the range.
In Case of a Reaction
Stop using the product immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional. Then notify us—reference, batch number, what happened—at sk@nateen.com. This is how material defects are identified. See the Medical Disclaimer for the procedure to follow and for your reporting rights.
Brief Glossary
Nonwoven — a thin material that looks and feels like fabric without being woven or knitted, much like felt. Most of what you touch on an absorbent product is made of it.
Hydrophilic / hydrophobic — lets water pass through / repels water. The same polymer does both, depending on its surface treatment.
Cellulose pulp (fluff) — defibrated wood fibres. It is paper, before it becomes paper.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) — small granules that retain several hundred times their weight in liquid and hold it under pressure. Also found in baby nappies and wound dressings.
ADL — acquisition distribution layer, the layer that distributes fluid. The detail that separates a product that holds from one that leaks over the sides.
Hot-melt — an adhesive applied hot that solidifies as it cools. It bonds layers together without solvents.
Contact Us
Apogee Medical Supplies s. r. o. · sk@nateen.com · +421 948 289 290 · Monday to Friday, 8:00–17:00.