U by Kotex Security Tampons 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.

U by Kotex Security Tampons

Kotex Security

U by Kotex Security Tampons

PFAS grade

Good 70/100

Overall grade

Good 58/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

cotton, rayon, and absorbent core

Confidence

72%

PossibleToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk

PossibleMicrobial contamination or mold in storage

PossibleIndividual allergic or irritant reactions

Our pick

Natracare 100% Organic Cotton Tampons

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 Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk, Microbial contamination or mold in storage and Individual allergic or irritant reactions on the Kotex Security and not on the Natracare.
  • We flag Heavy metals in pigments or cotton processing on the Natracare and not on the Kotex Security.
  • The Kotex Security is cotton, rayon, and absorbent core 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 →

More tampons, see the full ranking