100% Organic Cotton Tampons vs Sport Odor Shield Super Tampons: which is safer?

Natracare 100% Organic Cotton Tampons is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

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

Playtex Sport Odor Shield Super Tampons

Playtex

Sport Odor Shield Super Tampons

PFAS grade

Good 70/100

Overall grade

Good 54/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

rayon/viscose core, cotton outer, plastic applicator

Confidence

72%

PossibleDioxin residues in rayon/viscose

PossiblePlastic applicator leachables (unspecified polymer)

PossibleFragrance/antimicrobial additives in 'Odor Shield' formulation

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Heavy metals in pigments or cotton processing on the Natracare and not on the Playtex.
  • We flag Dioxin residues in rayon/viscose, Plastic applicator leachables (unspecified polymer), Fragrance/antimicrobial additives in 'Odor Shield' formulation and Allergic contact dermatitis from cotton or rayon processing residues on the Playtex and not on the Natracare.
  • The Natracare is 100% organic cotton where the Playtex is rayon/viscose core, cotton outer, plastic applicator, 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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