MoliCare® Technology Explained

How the Technology Works

SkinGuard® absorbent core technology combines three integrated functional layers:

1. Transfer Layer (Acquisition Layer)

• Quickly draws liquid away from the topsheet.

• Reduces pooling at the surface.

• Helps maintain a dry-touch feel.

2. Absorbent Channels

• Guide fluid evenly across the core.

• Prevent oversaturation in one area.

• Support consistent performance during multiple occurrences .

3. Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) Core

• Locks liquid into gel form.

• Minimises rewet.

• Supports odour control by binding fluid within the structure.

Rather than relying solely on bulk absorbent material, the system is engineered to manage fluid speed, direction, and retention in a coordinated manner.

Speed & Dryness: How the Technologies Work Together

Effective continence care depends not only on how much a product absorbs, but also on how quickly and how intelligently fluid is managed once it enters the product. Speed and dryness result from multiple technologies working simultaneously within the core structure.

Rapid Surface Clearance

The acquisition and distribution layer plays a critical role in the first seconds after fluid release. Its purpose is to:

• Instantly draw liquid away from the topsheet

• Spread fluid laterally before saturation can occur

• Prevent backflow toward the surface

By reducing dwell time at the point of contact, this layer supports a dry-touch sensation and limits prolonged skin exposure to moisture.

Supporting the Skin’s Natural Balance

In addition, the core helps to maintain pH when the product becomes wet. By helping maintain a slightly acidic environment, these elements:

• Support the skin’s natural protective barrier

• Counteract the alkalising effect of urine

• Contribute to a more skin-compatible microclimate

Together, rapid acquisition, controlled distribution, secure gel retention, and pH buffering form an integrated approach. The result is not just absorption, but controlled moisture management designed to maintain dryness where it matters most.

Product-Specific Fit & Comfort Technologies

Performance in continence care is closely linked to how well a product fits and how easily it can be applied or removed. MoliCare® technologies are adapted across product categories to support mobility, dignity, and caregiver efficiency.

All-in-One / Slip Briefs (e.g. Premium Elastic)

Premium Elastic
Designs combine stretchable side panels with reclosable fastening tabs. This construction:

• Allows adjustment during fitting without loss of adhesion

• Reduces the number of application steps compared to traditional four-tape slips

• Supports faster, more ergonomic changes for carers

By replacing rigid fixation methods with elasticised elements, the product adapts more naturally to body movement and positioning.

Pants / Pull-On Products (e.g. Premium Mobile)

Underwear-Style Construction

Designed to be worn like regular underwear, pull-on products offer discretion and support independence. The integrated three-layer core maintains structural integrity while remaining flexible during movement.

Elastic Waist & Body-Hugging Cut

A full-circumference elastic waistband and anatomically contoured design ensure close contact with the body. This reduces gaps that can lead to leakage while maintaining comfort during walking, sitting, or repositioning.

Pad Systems (Form, Lady, and Men)

Targeted Shaping

Pad systems are contoured to accommodate different anatomies and levels of mobility. This ensures closer body contact in key areas and reduces product shifting during use.

Skin Health & Protection Features

Maintaining skin integrity is central to effective continence management. MoliCare® technology is engineered with a skin-friendly philosophy, recognising that prolonged exposure to moisture and irritants can compromise the skin’s natural barrier function.

Supporting the Skin’s Natural Acid Mantle

Healthy skin maintains a slightly acidic surface environment, often referred to as the acid mantle. When exposed to urine, this balance can shift toward alkalinity, increasing the risk of irritation and microbial activity.

MoliCare® products incorporate pH-supportive design elements to help maintain a skin-compatible environment when wet. By limiting alkalisation and supporting the skin’s natural balance, these features contribute to long-term skin resilience.

Moisture Control & Irritation Reduction

The speed at which fluid is absorbed and secured plays a direct role in skin outcomes. By rapidly transferring moisture away from the surface and preventing rewet, MoliCare® technology helps to:

• Reduce prolonged contact with urine 

• Limit skin overhydration (maceration)

• Decrease friction caused by damp surfaces
  
  

Effective moisture management is a key factor in lowering the risk of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD), particularly in individuals with fragile or compromised skin.

Clinically Aligned Design

Clinical best practice emphasises keeping the skin clean, dry, and protected. MoliCare®’s structured core systems and breathable materials support this objective by helping maintain a drier microenvironment at the point of contact.

By addressing moisture exposure at the source, product design becomes an active component of preventative skin care rather than a passive containment solution.

A System Approach to Skin Protection

For comprehensive care, absorbent products can be integrated with MoliCare®’s dedicated skin care solutions, including gentle cleansers, no-rinse washing products, and barrier creams. When used together, these elements form a coordinated approach that supports cleansing, protection, and prevention within daily care routines.

This combined strategy reinforces the principle that continence management and skin care are interdependent, and most effective when designed to work together.

Odour Control & Freshness

Effective continence products must manage more than visible moisture. Controlling odour is equally important in supporting dignity, discretion, and overall well-being.

Active Odour Management

Within the absorbent core, super absorbent polymers (SAPs) bind liquid and convert it into a stable gel structure. This process not only secures fluid but also helps contain odour-causing compounds by limiting their release into the air.

By trapping urine within the core matrix, the product reduces the interaction between moisture and air that typically contributes to ammonia formation – therefore helping to neutralise any odours. Structured absorbent layers further support this process by directing fluid efficiently into retention zones, where it remains contained.

Confidence Through Discretion 

Reliable odour control contributes directly to user comfort in social, professional, and care environments. When unwanted smells are minimised, individuals can feel more secure and less self-conscious.

For caregivers and healthcare professionals, effective odour management also supports a more pleasant care setting, particularly in shared rooms or long-term care facilities.

By combining secure fluid retention with odour containment, MoliCare® technology helps maintain freshness, reinforcing both comfort and confidence throughout wear time.

Technology by Level of Need

Below is a simplified overview of how product construction evolves across usage scenarios:

Light Protection

Designed for occasional or light bladder weakness, slim pads prioritise fast acquisition and discreet wear. Contoured shapes ensure close body contact, while reduced bulk supports comfort under everyday clothing.

Typical solutions:

• MoliCare® Premium Lady pads

• MoliCare® Premium Men pads

• Lower absorbency Form pads
  
  

Moderate to Heavy Needs

For users requiring more substantial protection, pants and slip briefs incorporate larger absorbent cores and enhanced containment structures. Ergonomic fixation systems and body-adaptive materials help maintain stability during movement or assisted care.

Typical solutions:

• MoliCare® Premium Mobile (pull-on pants)

• MoliCare® Premium Elastic (all-in-one slips)

• Mid-to-high absorbency Form pads
  
  

Night-Time / Severe Incontinence

High-capacity products are engineered to manage larger volumes and extended wear periods. Enhanced internal barriers and reinforced core structures help prevent leakage during lying positions or when mobility is limited.

Typical solutions:

• High-drop Premium Elastic slips

• High-capacity Form pads for use with fixation pants
  
  

By aligning absorbent technology, structural features, and fit systems with individual needs, the MoliCare® range allows healthcare professionals and users to select protection that balances security, comfort, and practicality across different levels of incontinence.

Performance Metrics & Selection Guide

Selecting the appropriate continence product requires more than choosing a size or format. Performance indicators help professionals match protection levels to individual clinical and lifestyle needs.

Understanding the ISO “Drops” System

Absorbency is commonly expressed using a standardised “drops” rating system based on ISO laboratory testing methods.

• Each drop represents a defined absorbency range measured under controlled conditions.

• Higher drop counts indicate greater total fluid retention capacity.

• The system allows consistent comparison across product types within the range.

While laboratory absorbency provides a useful benchmark, real-life performance also depends on fit, distribution efficiency, and user mobility.

Beyond Capacity: Key Performance Considerations

When selecting a product, total absorbency is only one factor. Other elements influence overall effectiveness:

Speed of Absorption
Products designed with advanced acquisition layers are suited to sudden or high-volume voids, where rapid intake reduces surface pooling.

Dryness Performance
Low rewet values support skin integrity, particularly for individuals at risk of moisture-related skin damage.

Leakage Protection
Internal cuffs, anatomical shaping, and elasticised components help prevent side leakage, especially for mobile users or during repositioning.

Mobility & Independence
Pull-on styles may be more appropriate for active individuals, while adjustable slip systems may better suit assisted care.

Innovation Roadmap

Continence care continues to evolve in response to changing clinical priorities, user expectations, and environmental considerations. MoliCare® technology development reflects a forward-looking approach that balances performance, skin protection, and responsible product design.

Advancing Core Technologies

Future innovation in absorbent systems is expected to focus on:

• Increasing absorption efficiency without increasing bulk

• Further improving fluid distribution precision

• Enhancing surface dryness under pressure and movement

• Refining pH-supportive components to better protect fragile skin
  
  

These advancements aim to deliver higher performance while maintaining wearer comfort and discretion.

Sustainability & Material Innovation

Environmental responsibility is becoming an increasingly important consideration within the category. Ongoing development trends include:

• Exploring reduced material weight while maintaining protection levels

• Investigating more sustainable raw materials and production methods

• Expanding reusable or hybrid product concepts where appropriate

• Improving packaging efficiency and recyclability

The challenge is to combine ecological progress with uncompromised clinical reliability.

Comfort & Fit Evolution

As expectations for dignity and independence grow, fit innovation remains a key area of focus. Potential directions include:

• More adaptive body-contouring designs

• Enhanced stretch materials for improved movement compatibility

• Greater personalisation across size and absorbency combinations

 The goal is to make your protection even less noticeable to wear while improving its level of security.

A Holistic Future

Looking ahead, continence care is likely to become increasingly integrated with preventative skin health strategies and evidence-based performance testing. Innovation will continue to centre on three interconnected pillars:

• Advanced protection
  

• Skin integrity support
  

• Responsible design
  

By continually refining materials, engineering, and usability, MoliCare® technology aims to meet the evolving needs of both healthcare professionals and individuals with incontinence, today and in the future.