PFAS Free Bandages: Which Brands Steer Clear of Forever Chemicals?
That paper cut won’t last forever, but those PFAS? That’s another story. Unfortunately, even bandages aren’t safe from the prevalence of toxic “forever chemicals.” It’s more common than you might think. Thankfully, some widely available brands offer PFAS-free bandages in a variety of shapes, colors, and also skin tones. Here’s what you need to know about PFAS in popular bandage brands and how you can steer clear when stocking your medicine cabinet.
What are PFAS-Free Bandages? Are They Worth It?
There are a surprising amount of everyday products that can contain toxins and harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, many bandage brands have been found to contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” (source).
A lab analysis of 40 different brands found that 65% tested positive for these compounds. What’s more, of the bandages made for darker skin tones, 10 out of 16 landed in the danger zone for PFAS.
One of the worst offending brands, BAND-AID, forever chemicals were found in a large portion of bandage products. It goes without saying that the last thing you want to stick on an open wound is another potential health concern.
Considering how widespread the issue is, it’s a good thing there are healthier alternatives to BAND-AIDS, cancer-causing-chemical-free.
What are PFAS, exactly?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) earned their ominous nickname due to the fact that they never break down, whether they are in your body or the environment. They have also been linked to fertility concerns, cancer, and high blood pressure in pregnant people.
You can sometimes find them in kitchen appliances and nonstick coatings on pans. With enough exposure, they can accumulate in the body, leading to significant health concerns.
Which bandages are PFAS-free?
Fabric, plant-based, and latex-free bandages are your best bet for PFAS-free bandages. Steer clear of plastics and other synthetic materials, as well as look for packaging that boasts biodegradable, organic ingredients. Below are some non-toxic brands to look for the next time you need to cover up a pesky scrape.
Top 5 PFAS-Free Bandage Brands: How We Chose
Besides being free of PFAS, we looked at a few criteria when putting together our list of bandages.
- Availability: When you need a bandage, you don’t wait to wait 3-to-5 days for shipping. We found products available at multiple retailers or popular stores.
- Price: Bandages shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. If that’s the case, you’ll probably need a bigger bandage.
- Skintone and color: Everybody deserves a bandage that blends in or stands out—whatever they prefer.
- Quality: We searched for products that are made with responsible materials meant to last (just not forever).
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Welly
| Material | Latex-free fabric |
| Price at Range | $-$$ |
Welly bandages were among some of the brand products tested for PFAS, and they ranked among the best (source). They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, with waterproof varieties for extra staying power.
Highlights
The tins come in fun colors and patterns and are both reusable and recyclable. The company is also B Corp Certified.
Things to Consider
Some customers say that the regular bandages aren’t sticky enough.
2. TruColour
| Material | Latex-free fabric |
| Price Range | $$-$$$ |
Since some bandages made for darker skin tones have been shown to be especially guilty of PFAS contamination, these PFAS-free skin tone bandages are ready to save the day. They come in a variety of skin tones, from beige and olive to medium and dark brown.
Highlights
The bandages come in a variety of useful shapes and styles for those hard-to-wrap cuts (looking at you, fingertips).
Things to Consider
Companies often sell them in multipacks, which can make them a little pricier.
3. For Earth. By Us. (FEBU)
| Material | Bamboo fabric |
| Price Range | $ |
If you want breathability and biodegradability, these organic PFAS-free bandages are made for you. The organic bamboo material is hypoallergenic and free of latex, parabens, plastic, and other irritants that you may want to avoid.
Highlights
The biodegradable boast is no joke. These bandages can break down in your home compost bin in a matter of weeks but are still sturdy enough to protect your bumps and bruises.
Things to Consider
The adhesive is not waterproof and may slip off when wet.
4. All Terrain
| Material | Latex-free fabric/plastic |
| Price Range | $ |
All Terrain makes a wide variety of latex- and PFAS-free bandages, gauze, and medical adhesive tape for all your first aid needs. They come in a few sizes and styles, and while they don’t offer much variety in the way of skin tones, they do have clear varieties that are made to blend in.
Highlights
Moreover, the adhesive is super sticky, ensuring it stays in place for long-lasting protection.
Things to Consider
The neon kids’ bandages use plastic, making them a less eco-friendly option.
5. Next Best Option: 3M Micropore Medical Tape
| Material | Latex-free |
| Price Range | $ |
This PFAS-free medical tape is kind to skin and latex-free, perfect for holding bandages in place as well as securing larger wound dressings. It’s light and breathable, making it ideal for covering smaller cuts on its own or securing medical devices in place.
Highlights
The non-irritating adhesive is easy to remove and doesn’t leave any nasty residue on your skin.
Things to Consider
Some users say the tape doesn’t tear squarely off the roll, so you may want to keep some scissors handy.
How to Choose PFAS-Free Bandages for Your Needs
Not every bandage can do what you need it to do in a pinch. When shopping for PFAS-free bandages, here are some things to consider:
- What sizes, shapes, or varieties do you need? Are you stocking up for your emergency first aid kit or looking for a small pack to keep in your purse? Think about the types of cuts, scrapes as well as injuries you expect to deal with and get the styles that make sense for your needs.
- Who are the bandages for? If the bandages are for kids, you might want to surprise them with some fun shapes and patterns. If you’re buying for young or medically-sensitive people, it pays to be more mindful of ingredients.
- Are you looking for a latex-free option? They likely aren’t hard to find, but not everyone is sensitive to latex. If latex-free is important to you, be sure to read the packaging carefully and look for natural latex and synthetic derivatives.
While some big-name brands may not be safe when it comes to avoiding nasty toxins, there are plenty of brands and bandages out there to help you and yours stay safe, healthy, and (hopefully) healing quickly!
Featured image via Welly on Amazon
