Tampon Super 16 pcs vs 100% Organic Cotton Tampons: which is safer?
Natracare 100% Organic Cotton Tampons is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Kotex
Tampon Super 16 pcs
PFAS grade
Good 70/100
Overall grade
Poor 42/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 4
Material
Rayon/cellulose core; cotton/rayon cover; plastic applicator
Confidence
72%
PossibleChlorine bleach residues in rayon core
PossiblePlastic applicator degradation or microplastics
ReportedAllergic reaction to synthetic fibers or residual processing chemicals
Our pick
Natracare
100% Organic Cotton Tampons
PFAS grade
Excellent 100/100
Overall grade
Excellent 96/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
100% organic cotton
Confidence
88%
PossibleHeavy metals in pigments or cotton processing
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Chlorine bleach residues in rayon core, Plastic applicator degradation or microplastics, Allergic reaction to synthetic fibers or residual processing chemicals and Toxic shock syndrome risk (general tampon hazard, not brand-specific) on the Kotex and not on the Natracare.
- We flag Heavy metals in pigments or cotton processing on the Natracare and not on the Kotex.
- The Kotex is Rayon/cellulose core; cotton/rayon cover; plastic applicator where the Natracare is 100% organic cotton, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 30 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Natracare is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
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