Aunt Flow Regular Absorbency Tampons
Lower concern. Core materials are inherently PFAS-free.
Aunt Flow tampons use traditional rayon and cotton fibers without reported water-resistant coatings or fluorinated treatments. No public PFAS claims or lab data available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Rayon/viscose, cotton, non-woven fibers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Synthetic fiber shedding or microfiber migration
Non-woven synthetic fibers in the structure could theoretically shed microscopic fragments during expansion or removal, but no peer-reviewed evidence links tampon microfibers to systemic harm. This is a theoretical category-wide issue, not specific to Aunt Flow.
Allergens in non-woven adhesives or synthetic fibers
Acrylate-based adhesives in the applicator or synthetic fiber dyes could trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive users, but no specific allergic reaction data exists for Aunt Flow products.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Rayon production solvent residues (sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, carbon disulfide)
The viscose process uses harsh chemicals, but finished rayon fiber itself contains no solvent residue at levels detectable in absorbent products. No published tests or complaints link Aunt Flow tampons to solvent exposure.
Chlorine bleach (dioxin formation in processed cellulose)
Tampons may be bleached during manufacturing; however, dioxin residues in finished tampons are tightly regulated and not detected in modern products. Aunt Flow does not specify bleaching method, but the brand positions on 'natural' materials, suggesting possible elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or oxygen-based bleaching.
Pesticide residue
Aunt Flow does not certify organic cotton, so residues from conventional cotton pesticides are possible but unquantified. The concentration would be minuscule in a tampon and not absorbed through vaginal tissue in meaningful amounts.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Aunt Flow Regular tampons use rayon (viscose), cotton, and non-woven synthetic fibers. Rayon is wood pulp processed into cellulose and poses no known toxicity risk when applied to mucous membranes in absorbent form. Cotton adds absorbency and is inherently free of most chemical residues if unbleached or conventionally processed. Non-woven fibers (likely polyester or polypropylene) provide structure and do not leach under the warm, moist conditions of use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aunt Flow is an independent, female-founded brand that emphasizes organic and natural positioning. The company does not prominently publish third-party certifications (e.g., Organic, FDA510k clearance detail) or detailed material safety data sheets on its website. No formal product recalls or safety complaints have been indexed in public databases. The brand's silence on PFAS is typical for smaller period-care makers and does not indicate a problem, as the core materials (rayon, cotton) are inherently PFAS-free.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream tampons (Tampax, Kotex) use similar rayon-cotton-synthetic blends and carry the same low chemical hazard profile. Aunt Flow's indie positioning and emphasis on 'cleaner' ingredients aligns with premium brands like Cora and Lola, though without formal organic certification. The rayon-viscose process itself is not inherently safer or riskier than competitor products unless the pulp source or processing solvents are disclosed, which Aunt Flow has not done. Regular absorbency is a standard category with no elevated risk vs. light or super variants.
If you buy it
Use as directed; no special precautions required beyond standard tampon hygiene (replace every 4-8 hours, do not sleep with overnight). Tampons are not heated, so thermal leaching is not a concern. Store in a dry place to prevent mold or bacterial growth on the applicator or packaging. If irritation occurs, it is more likely due to individual sensitivity or improper insertion than material toxicity; switch to a different absorbency or material (e.g., pad) if symptoms persist.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Aunt Flow has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Tampons
Lola
Organic Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Cardboard degradation or splinters
Limited concern
Allergic contact dermatitis from cotton or additives
Limited concern
Lower concern. Organic cotton base with third-party certifications support claim.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Lola
Non-Toxic Applicator Free Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Lower concern. Third-party verified PFAS-free organic cotton tampons.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
Seventh Generation
Tampons
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Bacterial or fungal contamination
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; organic cotton base with PFAS-free claim.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More tampons grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.