Frequently Asked Questions: Pampers Quality, Safety and Ingredients
2 min read•Updated July 07, 2026
2 min read•Updated July 07, 2026
We understand that every precious cuddle, every tiny smile, and every wobbly first step means everything to you, and that you want the very best for your baby.
That’s why every single product we make must live up to the highest standards of all – yours! We’re always focused on bringing you products that are designed according to strict safety and quality standards that you can confidently trust. This is our promise to you, today, tomorrow, and always, because your little ones truly deserve our best.
We’ve answered common questions about Pampers products, including their quality, safety and ingredients. Below you’ll find clear information to help you make confident choices for your baby’s care. If you have a question we haven’t covered, our support team is here to help.
What Materials Are Nappies Made of, and How Do They Affect Safety and Comfort?
The nappy materials we use are carefully selected with safety and performance in mind, helping keep your baby’s skin dry and comfortable.
Pampers nappies are made from materials such as:
super absorbent material
polypropylene and polyethylene
optimized cellulose
polyester
elastics
adhesives
protective balm
pigments
pH-sensitive materials
Our nappies are dermatologically tested by Dermatest and approved by the British Skin Foundation. Our diapers are tested for over 1,000 controversial substances and certified according to OEKO-TEX STANDARD-100.
Are Pampers Products Supported by Scientific or Clinical Data?
Pampers has published 125+ clinical and safety studies and abstracts. For example, here are some studies we did;
Pampers scientists conducted a large international study1 (across US, Germany and China) to understand what helps prevent nappy rash. The research found that simple habits — like gentle cleaning, using protective products and avoiding long periods in a wet or soiled nappy — are linked to healthier skin, lower skin pH and a reduced risk of irritation.
Pampers-supported research2 in hospitals looked at how different cleaning methods affect newborn babies’ skin. The study compared Pampers baby wipes with cloth and water. The study showed that using Pampers wipes helped:
Better support the skin’s natural condition, including healthy skin barrier function
Reduce skin redness (irritation) compared to cloth and water
Maintain a more balanced skin pH, which helps protect delicate skin
The research also confirmed that these wipes were well tolerated and suitable for newborn skin, even in sensitive care environments.
We work with dermatologists and independent experts to ensure our Pampers nappies and baby wipes meet and often exceed the top safety standards like World Health Organization (WHO), the guidance of the European Commission´s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety.
What is in Pampers® Baby Wipes?
Pampers baby wipes are designed to gently clean and care for your baby’s skin with safe, tested ingredients.
Our wipes are made with:
Soft cloth-like material made from plant-based fibers like lyocell, viscose, cotton, or pulp in our plastic-free wipes, and a unique blend of both plant-based and synthetic materials, such as cellulose-based and polyethylene fibers in our other wipes.
Water-based lotion (up to 99% water) with mild cleansing agents to help remove mess and skin-friendly ingredients to care for delicate skin.
pH buffers to help maintain your baby’s natural skin balance (pH 4.5–5.5), reducing the risk of redness and irritation.
Preservativesin tiny amounts to keep wipes fresh and safe to use after opening.
How Pampers Ensures Product Safety
We ensure that all our products are safe by:
Only using trusted and gentle ingredients in our nappies and wipes that we have rigorously assessed for safety
Testing our products with independent laboratories; our products are dermatologically tested by Dermatest and approved by the British Skin Foundation. For rest of EU: accredited by the Skin Health Alliance as safe for baby skin. Our diapers and unscented wipes are tested for over 1,000 controversial substances and certified according to OEKO-TEX STANDARD-100®.
Going beyond regulatory expectations to assess and test our materials before using them - from design through manufacturing process and finished product
Monitoring in real time; we talk with parents around the world, gathering feedback so we can keep raising our standards. This gives us the opportunity to continuously improve ourselves through feedback from families worldwide.
The Pampers Safety Promise ensures that every element of our products is safe for your baby:
Step 1: Carefully selected ingredients
Step 2: Before using any component, we thoroughly assess both its supplier and the formulation.
Step 3: Validate our products; our products go through multiple rounds of lab testing, especially for sensitive skin.
Step 4: Traceable Products & listening to parents
Our ingredients are carefully chosen based on safety profiles and their demonstrated effectiveness for keeping your baby’s skin dry and healthy. We evaluate our ingredients to ensure it’s safe before it comes in contact with your baby’s skin.
Nappy Performance and Skin Safety
While nappy rash is one of the most common paediatric conditions, it is not caused by nappies. There are many possible causes of nappy rash, like moisture and mess on the skin, nappy change frequency, changes in diet or use of antibiotics, etc. Pampers nappies are designed to minimize exposure of skin to pee and poo, can help to prevent rashes occurring.
Pampers nappies contain super absorbent material which can absorb up to 30 times its weight in liquid.
No, our adhesives are not in direct contact with baby’s skin. Adhesives are essential to hold the different nappy layers together to prevent leaks and to provide skin comfort, and they are sealed between layers. Our adhesives are safe and certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, like all the other materials that go into Pampers product design.
These beads are part of our super absorbing material, which have a long history of safe use in nappies. It locks liquid away from your baby’s skin, keeping it dry and comfortable. If you notice small gel particles on your baby’s skin, it is an absorbent material and can be easily removed by gentle wiping.
At Pampers, we carefully evaluate the safety of all materials used in our nappies using rigorous scientific methods that reflect real-life usage conditions. Our research3 shows that super-absorbent materials (gel beads) are present only at levels considered safe and are designed to stay securely within the nappy, helping ensure they are safe for your baby’s skin.
Yes, all colours on Pampers products are evaluated for safety. Pigment-based inks are used to print fun designs, characters and to indicate different parts on the nappies. These pigments are not soluble in water and cannot penetrate the skin. Our nappies are approved by the British Skin Foundation. For rest of EU: accredited by the Skin Health Alliance as safe for baby skin.
The elastane we use is free of natural rubber latex and safe for use. You can find it in the stretchy parts of the nappy like the leg cuffs, stretchy sides or pants belt where it provides a snug and gentle fit of the nappy and help prevent leakage. Nevertheless, elastane is not in direct contact with a baby’s skin as it is covered by nonwoven layers to provide a soft touch to the skin.
Yes. We use a colour-changing pH sensitive material that reacts to wetness to let parents know when it’s time to change the nappy. It is used in tiny amounts and never touches the skin. Most Pampers products have a urine indicator. Check the packaging to find this feature!
Yes, Pampers baby wipes are safe for newborns and sensitive skin. They are produced with carefully selected ingredients, of which water is the primary component of the baby wipe’s lotion. The other ingredients are gentle and ensure an effective clean. Pampers baby wipes are also safe to use on other body parts, including the face, and can be used at every nappy change.
No, Pampers wipes don’t cause nappy rash. Pampers takes a careful, science-backed approach.
Designed to be gentle and non-irritating
Suitable from day one
Undergo rigorous safety and quality testing
Dermatologically tested by Dermatest and are dermatologically approved by the British Skin Foundation
New Baby Premium Protection, 99% Water and Sensitive wipes are certified according to OEKO-TEX STANDARD-100
Materials Used in Pampers Nappies
No, Pampers does not use elemental chlorine bleaching and this method has not been used for decades. Instead, our suppliers use Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) or Total Chlorine Free (TCF) processes. Although the term ‘chlorine’ may sound concerning to you, there are many substances that chemically would be named ‘chlorine’ yet are found in everyday substances like table salt (sodium chloride) and are perfectly safe.
ECF and TCF processes are widely used bleaching wood pulp, most used in the manufacturing of household products like nappies and feminine hygiene items. The difference lies in the bleaching process, not in the outcome for the baby. Both methods are nontoxic, and equally safe & effective whilst used in nappies. While the purification, cleaning and whitening process is commonly referred to as “bleaching”, we can reassure you that none of our diapers and wipes contain bleach.
Cellulose is a natural fibre derived from wood. It is an essential part of the wetness distribution system on our Pampers nappies and funnels wetness away from the surface and spreads it evenly into the core of the nappy. The cellulose we use comes from FSC® certified forests and other controlled sources.
When your baby wears a nappy, their skin can come in contact with moisture from pee and poo, which can sometimes lead to discomfort. Our protective balm is a gentle layer added to the top part of the nappy. It contains emollient ingredients commonly used in skin care to help reduce friction and create a barrier between your baby’s skin and wetness. You can think of it like applying a light layer of cream to help protect the skin.
This helps keep your baby’s skin feeling more comfortable while they wear the nappy. The effectiveness of this balm is supported by clinical studies4, showing it helps to reduce the severity of skin irritation, giving you peace of mind. The lotion we use is based on pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum (also known as Parafinum Liquidum or petroleum jelly) - an ingredient commonly found in a range of baby ointments and lotions and widely used by dermatologists in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This ingredient is highly purified and safe for use on babies’ skin, complying with local and global regulatory standards.
Some Pampers nappies include this protective balm, while Pampers Harmonie is made without it, so you can choose what works best for you and your baby.
Polypropylene is used in the soft fibre layers of the nappy in contact with skin to provide comfort. Polypropylene is safe and widely used in food packaging, medical products, textiles and many other common consumer products.
Polyester fibres are used in our wetness distribution system in a layer specially designed to acquire and spread wetness horizontally on the nappy. These fibres are also widely used in textiles.
Polyethylene is an essential part of our nappy design, forming the thin, protective outer layer. Its main job is to act as a reliable barrier, preventing any leaks from escaping while cleverly allowing air to circulate, which helps your baby's skin breathe. This material is incredibly common and safe, used across many products you encounter daily, from food packaging and medical supplies to beverage containers.
Pampers Manufacturing and Brand Information
While disposable nappies don’t have a strict expiration date, here is some guidance on how long they typically maintain their best performance:
Unopened nappies: Can be used for up to 3 years from the manufacturing date
Opened nappies: Best used within 12 months of opening the pack.
We manufacture Pampers nappies and wipes in “No-touch” manufacturing lines in Europe and from the start of production until the nappy is in its packaging, our manufacturing process is designed to minimise any accidental contamination. Our Pampers products are crafted in the EU with thousands of daily quality checks, so you can truly rest easy.
Pampers was born in 1961! After several redesigns, tests and the development of the Pampers manufacturing process, Pampers was granted its first patent in 1964. The first disposable nappy plant in Europe was opened in 1973, in Germany.
The Bottom Line
Our teams at Pampers design our nappies and create products that are safe, absorbent, and soft for your baby. We work with trusted manufacturers and partners to design nappies and wipes with your baby’s wellbeing and safety in mind.
Still need help? Contact our team if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help you and your baby.
1Carr, Andrew N., et al. "Diaper dermatitis prevalence and severity: global perspective on the impact of caregiver behavior." Pediatric dermatology 37.1 (2020): 130-136.
2Visscher, Marty, et al. "Skin care in the NICU patient: effects of wipes versus cloth and water on stratum corneum integrity." Neonatology 96.4 (2009): 226-234.
3Kosemund, Kirstin, et al. "Safety evaluation of superabsorbent baby diapers." Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology 53.2 (2009): 81-89.
4Gustin, Jennifer, et al. "Use of an emollient‐containing diaper and pH‐buffered wipe regimen restores skin pH and reduces residual enzymatic activity." Pediatric dermatology 37.4 (2020): 626-631.
The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in published research, trusted medical and government sources, as well as Pampers’ own safety and product experts. When applicable, you can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
