What’s In A Pampers Diaper?

As a parent, you know the most important thing about a diaper is that it helps keep your baby dry and comfortable. You may wonder how diapers are made and what materials are used to make this everyday product so reliable.

How Do Diapers And Their Ingredients Work?

Like most modern disposable diapers, Pampers diapers are composed of several materials that each have a specific function and work together to provide a good fit and a comfortable wearing experience to the baby while protecting from leakage and helping to keep the skin dry and healthy. Our diapers have a layered construction, which allows the transfer and distribution of liquid away from the baby to an absorbent diaper core, where the liquid is locked away from skin to help keep your baby comfortable and dry. Learn more about our diaper components and how their ingredients have been evaluated for safety and performance.

Pampers^® Baby Dry™ (Sizes N-2)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, a highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin, and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper and help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Fastening System Soft polypropylene and stretch film ensure a secure hold and customizable fit, while providing comfort to your baby.

Skin Protecting Lotion Our skin protecting lotion is made from petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis. This lotion is designed to help maintain healthy skin. The lotion on our topsheet is made from ingredients that are commonly used in lip balms and baby skin cleansers, which help hydrate the skin.

Pampers^® Baby Dry™ (Sizes 3-7)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, a highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin, and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper and help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Fastening System Soft polypropylene and stretch film ensure a secure hold and customizable fit, while providing comfort to your baby.

Skin Protecting Lotion Our skin protecting lotion is made from petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis. This lotion is designed to help maintain healthy skin. The lotion on our topsheet is made from ingredients that are commonly used in lip balms and baby skin cleansers, which help hydrate the skin.

Pampers^® Easy Ups™ (Training Pants Sizes 4-7, 2T-6T; Boy & Girl)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, a highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin, and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper and help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Fastening System Soft polypropylene and stretch film ensure a secure hold and customizable fit, while providing comfort to your baby.

Skin Protecting Lotion Our skin protecting lotion is made from petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis. This lotion is designed to help maintain healthy skin. The lotion on our topsheet is made from ingredients that are commonly used in lip balms and baby skin cleansers, which help hydrate the skin.

Pampers^® Pure Protection Diapers (Sizes 0-6)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Wetness Indicator – Pampers^® Pure Diapers Our wetness indicator is made of pH-sensitive material that changes color based on exposure to wetness, letting parents know when it’s time for a change.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, a highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin, and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper and help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Fastening System Soft polypropylene and stretch film ensure a secure hold and customizable fit, while providing comfort to your baby.

Pampers^® Splashers™ (Swim Pants; Sizes 3-5)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Stretchy Waistband & Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper, to help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Pampers^® Swaddlers™ (Size 0-8)

Super-absorbent Core Super-absorbent core is one of the most important components of all Pampers diapers. The super-absorbent gel material (also known as super-absorbent polymers or polyacrylate) are the main ingredient of the diaper core, and used widely in consumer products. Super-absorbent gel is dry and granular, like sugar, but forms a gel as it absorbs liquid quickly. In fact, it can retain up to 30 times its weight in liquid, locking it away to help prevent wetness from coming back to the surface of the diaper and help keep babies drier.

What If The Gel Touches My Baby's Skin? Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel from the diaper on your baby's skin or bedding, but the gel is non-toxic and will not harm your baby. Gel that appears on the skin can easily be removed by gently wiping your baby's skin.

Topsheet The top layer you see when you open a diaper is the topsheet, which provides comfort and pulls liquid away from the skin into the absorbent core, helping skin keep dry. The main ingredient in the topsheet is polypropylene.

Soft Outer Cover Our outer covers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene—the same materials used in hospital gowns as well as other fabrics. We’ve combined these materials into the perfect ratio to deliver breathability, softness, and protection.

Wetness Indicator Our wetness indicator is made of pH-sensitive material that changes color based on exposure to wetness, letting parents know when it’s time for a change.

Printed Backsheet Some Pampers diapers have graphics to inspire joy and give the diaper a more clothing-like appearance. Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe, and are commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging.

Seams & Joints Our diaper seams and joints are made with adhesives. These adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers adhesives are evaluated to ensure they are safe, solvent free, and non-sensitizing while being tucked away from your baby’s skin.

Leg Cuffs Comfortable and stretchy leg cuffs are made of polypropylene, a highly resistant fiber that brings comfort to the diaper in contact with skin, and spandex (also known as elastane, which is free of natural rubber latex) to ensure proper fit of the diaper and help prevent leakage where leaks happen most.

Fastening System Soft polypropylene and stretch film ensure a secure hold and customizable fit, while providing comfort to your baby.

Skin Protecting Lotion Our skin protecting lotion is made from petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis. This lotion is designed to help maintain healthy skin. The lotion on our topsheet is made from ingredients that are commonly used in lip balms and baby skin cleansers, which help hydrate the skin.

Other Ingredients

Fragrance We provide both fragrance and fragrance-free products. We've asked parents all around the world which products they prefer for their babies, and many have told us they prefer diapers with a soft, baby-fresh scent. The fragrance in Pampers, when present, is used at a very low level in each diaper and has been carefully selected and evaluated to be non-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin.

The perfumes have been safely present in diapers for many decades, showing there is no increased risk for diaper rash for babies using scented diapers compared to unscented diapers.

Adhesives Adhesives are used in many baby products, including clothing and underwear. Pampers evaluates all adhesives to ensure they are safe, solvent free and non-sensitizing, while also making sure they are tucked away from your baby’s skin.

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The Bottom Line

There's nothing more important to us than your baby. That's why we are committed to ingredient transparencyand creating safe, high quality productsto help you protect and care for baby. As always, contact us if you have any questions, comments, or ideas.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 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.}