U by Kotex Review, Is U by Kotex Non-Toxic?
U by Kotex averages 62 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 7 U by Kotex products graded as of October 2026, and 5 of them reach its 70 point pass mark.
U by Kotex grades Good on our four-band scale.
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.
What U by Kotex says and does about PFAS
U by Kotex is a Kimberly-Clark brand, and Kimberly-Clark told Insurance Journal in 2024 that it does not use PFAS in any of its U.S. consumer products. Mamavation's lab found non-detect organic fluorine in U by Kotex Click compact unscented tampons. We found no PFAS lawsuit naming U by Kotex.
- Brand statementKimberly-Clark, parent of U by Kotex, said in a 2024 statement that it does not use PFAS in any of its U.S. consumer products. Insurance Journal ↗
- Independent testMamavation's EPA-certified lab found non-detect organic fluorine in U by Kotex Click compact unscented tampons. Mamavation ↗
Sources checked September 29, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
U by Kotex is one of the brands we researched by hand for our record of what every brand has published about PFAS, where the same question is answered for each of them in one line.
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Does U by Kotex have PFAS, by category
Which U by Kotex products are PFAS-free? Good or better, best-graded first
- rayon/viscose and cardboard applicator
- PFAS, PFAS-containing water repellents can be applied to cardboard during manufacturing, though not confirmed…
- rayon/cotton core, plastic applicator
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from any tampon, TSS is rare but documented across all tampon types and brands…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose, cotton, cardboard applicator
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) - general tampon risk, TSS is associated with prolonged tampon use and…
- rayon/viscose core, cotton/synthetic blend
- Skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis from materials. Rayon/cotton blends are low-irritancy…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose absorbent core, cotton blend applicator
- Bleach residues (chlorine/dioxins). Rayon and cotton in tampons are typically bleached during manufacturing…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Which U by Kotex products contain PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
- cellulose, adhesive, non-woven layers (typical pad construction)
- Fragrance compounds and sensitization. Some Kotex pad lines include fragrance; Ultra Thin variant does not…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- non-woven, absorbent core, waterproof backing (treatment unspecified)
- PFAS. The waterproof backing material and treatment are not disclosed. PFAS compounds are widely used in…
What to buy instead Good or better, in the categories U by Kotex sells
- 100% organic cotton
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Heavy metals
Natracare
Organic Super Plus Tampons, 3 x 20 ct
- organic cotton, cardboard applicator
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Dioxins from bleaching
Natracare
Organic Cotton Super Plus Tampons
- organic cotton, no added fluorochemicals
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Verified PFAS-free by a third party
U by Kotex and PFAS, common questions
- Does U by Kotex have PFAS?
- U by Kotex averages 62 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 7 U by Kotex products graded as of October 2026, and 5 of them reach its 70 point pass mark. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests. Kimberly-Clark, parent of U by Kotex, says it does not use PFAS in its U.S. consumer products, and Mamavation found non-detect organic fluorine in U by Kotex Click tampons.
- Is U by Kotex non-toxic?
- U by Kotex Click Compact Tampons is the highest-graded U by Kotex product we have scored, at 70/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which U by Kotex products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded U by Kotex products we have scored are U by Kotex Click Compact Tampons, U by Kotex Premium Security Tampons, Regular, U by Kotex Click Compact Multipack Tampons Regular/Super Unscented 30 ct. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
- Which U by Kotex products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded U by Kotex products we have scored are U by Kotex Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pads With Wings, U by Kotex Kotex Ultra Thin Pads. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →