U by Kotex Sleek 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.
Kotex
U by Kotex Sleek Tampons
PFAS grade
Good 70/100
Overall grade
Good 56/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton exterior, polypropylene layers
Confidence
72%
PossiblePesticide residues in non-organic cotton
ReportedToxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
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 Pesticide residues in non-organic cotton and Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk 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/viscose core, cotton exterior, polypropylene layers 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