Organic Pads vs Up & Up Regular Tampons: which is safer?
Natracare Organic Pads is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Natracare
Organic Pads
PFAS grade
Excellent 100/100
Overall grade
Excellent 92/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
not stated
Confidence
100%
PossibleFragrance allergens (if scented variant)
PossibleBacterial overgrowth from prolonged wear
up&up
Up & Up Regular Tampons
PFAS grade
Good 70/100
Overall grade
Good 58/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
rayon/viscose, cotton, polyester, cardboard applicator
Confidence
72%
PossibleDioxin and chlorine residues from bleaching
PossiblePesticide residues in cotton
PossibleToxic shock syndrome risk (use-related, not material-specific)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Fragrance allergens (if scented variant) and Bacterial overgrowth from prolonged wear on the Natracare and not on the up&up.
- We flag Dioxin and chlorine residues from bleaching, Pesticide residues in cotton and Toxic shock syndrome risk (use-related, not material-specific) on the up&up and not on the Natracare.
- The gap is 30 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Natracare is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the up&up grade, at 72% confidence against 100%, because it discloses less.
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 period care, see the full ranking