Does Playtex tampons have PFAS?
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.
We graded 8 Playtex tampons products, averaging Good (70/100). 8 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 8 tampons brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 70/100, Playtex is worse than typical, scoring above 31% of them.
Playtex tampons worth buying Good or better, safest first
Playtex
Sport Tampons
Rayon (viscose) core; cotton-blend outer layer
Dioxin residues (bleaching byproduct)
Rayon production historically involved chlorine bleaching, which can leave trace dioxin.…
Pesticide residue
Cotton fibers in the outer layer may retain residues from conventional farming…
Vulvovaginal irritation from unknown production residues
Individual consumer reports of irritation, itching, or allergic reaction exist across…
Lower concern, though brand is silent on sourcing.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Clean Comfort Tampons
rayon/viscose, cotton, and cardboard applicator
Bleach residues and chlorine byproducts
Rayon and cotton tampons are typically bleached to white for consumer preference.…
Pesticide residue
Non-organic cotton used in this product may contain residues from synthetic pesticides…
Fragrance additives (if scented variant)
Scented Playtex variants may contain undisclosed fragrance compounds or fragrance…
Lower concern for the core product, no known high-risk coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Gentle Glide Tampons
Rayon/viscose (core), plastic applicator
Chlorine residues in rayon bleaching
Rayon manufacture typically involves bleaching; conventional (non-certified) tampons may…
Bacterial contamination from manufacturing or storage
All tampons carry theoretical risk of bacterial colonization if stored in humid…
Lower concern, though brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Sport Odor Shield Tampons
Rayon/viscose core, polyethylene wrapper
Chlorine/dioxin residues from bleaching
Conventional tampons including Playtex are typically bleached with chlorine or hydrogen…
Fragrance allergens (Odor Shield variant)
The Odor Shield line includes added fragrance compounds to reduce odor. Fragrance is a…
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but serious infection associated with tampon use, particularly…
Lower concern, no known Teflon-family coating coatings typical in absorbent tampons.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Clean Comfort Tampons, Super, 16 ct
Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend outer
Pesticide residue
The outer cotton blend may contain residual pesticides if sourced from conventional…
Bleach residues and processing chemicals
Rayon production and textile bleaching involve chlorine and other processing agents.…
Skin sensitization from dyes or finishes
Minor dyes or finishes may be applied to the outer cotton layer; synthetic dyes can…
Lower concern, but brand silence limits confidence.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Sport Multi-Pack Unscented Tampons
rayon/viscose, cotton blend core; absorbent gelling polymer
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk
All high-absorbency tampons carry inherent TSS risk if left in place too long (over 8…
Dioxins from rayon bleaching
Rayon production uses chlorine bleaching, which can generate trace dioxin residues. FDA…
Pesticide residue
Conventional cotton (non-organic) may contain pesticide residues from cultivation.…
Lower-concern choice, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Sport Compact Tampons
rayon/cotton blend with cotton/plastic applicator
Bleach residue and dioxins from rayon processing
Rayon is bleached during manufacturing; trace dioxin and chlorine residues can…
Heavy metals
Cotton and rayon can accumulate trace metals (cadmium, lead) from soil or processing…
Lower-concern product, though full supply-chain transparency is lacking.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Sport Odor Shield Super Tampons
rayon/viscose core, cotton outer, plastic applicator
Dioxin residues in rayon/viscose
Viscose production historically involved bleaching that could leave trace dioxins. Modern…
Plastic applicator leachables (unspecified polymer)
Playtex does not disclose applicator material (likely polypropylene or polyethylene).…
Fragrance/antimicrobial additives in 'Odor Shield' formulation
The specific active ingredient in the odor-blocking layer is proprietary and undisclosed.…
Allergic contact dermatitis from cotton or rayon processing residues
Rayon and cotton are low-allergen fibers, but residual pesticides (on conventional…
Lower concern for the core product, applicator plastic warrants caution.
⚠Risky category by default
Better tampons from other brands
Graded higher than the Playtex average of 70.
Lola
Organic Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Cardboard degradation or splinters
Limited concern
Allergic contact dermatitis from cotton or additives
Limited concern
Lower concern. Organic cotton base with third-party certifications support claim.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Lola
Non-Toxic Applicator Free Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Lower concern. Third-party verified PFAS-free organic cotton tampons.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
Seventh Generation
Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Bacterial or fungal contamination
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; organic cotton base with PFAS-free claim.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
See every Playtex product we grade on the Playtex brand page, or the full tampons ranking.