Kotex Review, Is Kotex Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 11 graded products, Kotex averages Poor (41/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 4 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Kotex Good or better, safest first
Kotex
U by Kotex Click Compact Unscented Tampons, Regular
Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend cover
Dioxins from chlorine bleaching
Conventionally manufactured rayon and cotton textiles may be bleached with chlorine or…
Vulvovaginal irritation from additives or material sensitivity
Individual sensitivity to rayon, cotton, or any residual processing chemicals varies…
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from prolonged use
TSS is a rare systemic infection associated with tampon use, particularly with…
Lower concern; natural fiber absorbent with no known PFAS use.
⚠Risky category by default
Kotex
U by Kotex Click Compact Unscented Tampons
Rayon/viscose core, cotton cover, plastic applicator
Chlorine residues (dioxins) from bleaching
Rayon and cotton tampons may be bleached with chlorine compounds; conventional…
Pesticide residue
Cotton cover is not certified organic; residues of synthetic pesticides used in…
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection associated with all tampon use, not…
Lower concern, though brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Kotex
U by Kotex Sleek Tampons
Rayon/viscose core, cotton exterior, polypropylene layers
Pesticide residue
U by Kotex Sleek does not specify organic cotton, so conventional cotton may contain…
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is associated with high-absorbency tampons and prolonged use, not brand-specific. All…
Lower concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Kotex
Tampon Super 16 pcs
Rayon/cellulose core; cotton/rayon cover; plastic applicator
Chlorine bleach residues in rayon core
Conventional rayon tampons are typically chlorine-bleached during processing. No…
Microplastics
Polypropylene applicators are durable and stable at body temperature but may shed…
Allergic reaction to synthetic fibers or residual processing chemicals
Some individuals report vaginal irritation or allergic contact dermatitis with…
Toxic shock syndrome risk (general tampon hazard, not brand-specific)
TSS is a well-known but rare risk associated with any tampon left in place too long…
Lower concern, but no public transparency from Kotex on coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Kotex
Bamboo Ultra Thin Pads with Wings
bamboo viscose, cellulose core, polyethylene/polypropylene layers, unspecified water-resistant coating
PFAS
Kotex does not publicly disclose the chemistry of the water-resistant layer. Ultra-thin…
Skin irritation from undisclosed additives or residual chemicals
Bamboo viscose and polypropylene layers are generally low-risk, but undisclosed…
Microplastic or polymer shedding from backing layers
Polyethylene and polypropylene backing can degrade or shed fibers, particularly if pad is…
Allergic reaction to fragrance or adhesive (if present)
Kotex Bamboo line does not advertise added fragrance, but adhesive components and bamboo…
Skip until Kotex discloses waterproofing chemistry; pads need water barriers often using PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
Ultra Thin Heavy Pads with Wings
Cellulose, synthetic absorbent core, polypropylene layers, waterproof backing
PFAS
Polypropylene or polyethylene waterproof layers commonly use fluorinated or silicone…
Lower concern than apparel, but waterproof layers raise unanswered PFAS questions.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
U by Kotex Clean & Secure Ultra Thin Pads
Nonwoven fibers (cellulose/synthetic blend) with waterproof backing layer, composition not fully disclosed
PFAS
Waterproof backing composition not disclosed; fluorinated polymers are standard industry…
Microplastic shedding from degraded nonwoven fibers
Nonwoven synthetic-cellulose blends can shed fibers if repeatedly wetted and flexed; no…
Bacterial colonization if not changed regularly
All absorbent pads create a moist environment; failure to change within 8 hours increases…
Skin irritation from adhesive or fragrance
Some Kotex pads contain fragrance; adhesive systems can trigger contact dermatitis in…
Skip until Kotex discloses waterproof layer chemistry; fluorinated coatings often used.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
U by Kotex Ultra Thin Pads
cellulose/rayon with proprietary absorbent core and waterproof barrier
PFAS
Kotex has not disclosed the chemical identity of the waterproof barrier layer. Many…
Bacterial or mold growth from moisture retention
If a pad is worn longer than recommended or stored in a warm, humid environment after…
Waterproof coating unspecified; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
Ultra Thin Pads
Cellulose, cotton, adhesive, waterproof backing layer (unspecified)
Waterproof backing layer (unspecified composition)
Undisclosed backing material likely contains PFAS or other fluorinated compounds for…
Contact dermatitis and skin irritation from adhesives or cellulose
Menstrual pads are a known source of allergic contact dermatitis; reported cases involve…
Bacterial growth and toxic shock risk (usage-related)
Not a product-chemistry hazard but a use hazard: prolonged pad retention (>8 hours)…
Chlorine bleaching byproducts (dioxins) in cellulose
Cellulose pulp in pads is typically chlorine-bleached; trace dioxins may remain. Dermal…
Likely lower concern, but waterproof backing composition not disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
U by Kotex Kotex Bamboo Ultra Thin Pads with Wings
bamboo/rayon fibers with undisclosed waterproof/absorbent coating
PFAS
Kotex does not disclose the chemical identity of the waterproof backing or adhesive…
Adhesive or glue residues
Wing adhesives and core-to-backing adhesives may contain acrylates or epoxy compounds…
Waterproof coating unknown; PFAS risk uncertain without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
Maxi Overnight Pads
Cellulose, absorbent core, waterproof backing layer
PFAS
Waterproof polymer backing in conventional pads typically contains fluorinated chemicals…
Undisclosed adhesives and coatings
Adhesive layers bonding the absorbent core to the backing and any topsheet coatings are…
Skin irritation or contact sensitization
Some users report localized irritation from synthetic backing or synthetic fibers in…
Waterproof pad backing raises PFAS risk; brand silent on ingredients.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →