Aunt Flow Tampon Applicator
Lower concern. MADE SAFE certified, cardboard applicator, no known PFAS use.
Aunt Flow makes PFAS-free claims and holds MADE SAFE certification. Cardboard tube and plastic handle present lower PFAS risk than coated materials.
Brand says: “Our tampon applicators are made with a cardboard tube and plastic handle, and we do not use PFAS in our products.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
cardboard tube applicator, plastic handle
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Undisclosed plastic handle resin type
The plastic handle composition is not publicly detailed; if it is polystyrene or polycarbonate, it could contain BPA, though MADE SAFE certification is designed to screen for this. Recommendation: contact brand for specific resin confirmation if you have BPA sensitivity.
Adhesive or glue in handle-applicator joint
If the plastic handle is glued or chemically bonded to the cardboard tube, the adhesive composition is not disclosed. MADE SAFE testing may cover this, but confirmation with the brand is prudent for those with chemical sensitivities.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
Microplastic shedding from applicator
Cardboard applicators do not shed microplastics during typical use or degradation, unlike plastic applicators. This is a structural advantage of the Aunt Flow design.
Cardboard coating or bleach residue
No public data exists on whether Aunt Flow uses chlorine-bleached or unbleached cardboard or fluorescent brightening agents. MADE SAFE certification typically covers this, but specific pulp sourcing is not disclosed.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cardboard applicators used in period products are not known to release formaldehyde or dioxins under normal use conditions; the brief contact time and lack of heat exposure make this a low-concern pathway.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Aunt Flow uses a cardboard tube applicator paired with a plastic handle, a material combination chosen specifically to avoid synthetic polymer coatings that often contain PFAS water repellents. Cardboard is a low-concern substrate for period products since it does not leach harmful chemicals into menstrual blood and degrades after single use. The plastic handle component is the only persistent element; its specific resin type is not publicly disclosed, but the brand's MADE SAFE certification suggests screening for BPA and phthalates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aunt Flow holds MADE SAFE certification, a third-party standard that tests for harmful chemicals including heavy metals, phthalates, and BPA in period products. The brand explicitly markets itself as PFAS-free and has not disclosed manufacturing controversies or safety recalls in public record. Their transparency on material sourcing is moderate; they emphasize the cardboard applicator choice but do not publish full chemical composition of the plastic handle.
How it compares in its category
Cardboard applicators are generally considered a safer design than plastic or synthetic polymer applicators because they eliminate concerns about microplastic shedding and reduce reliance on chemical coatings. Aunt Flow's combination of cardboard plus MADE SAFE certification positions it above many conventional brands that do not undergo third-party chemical testing. It is comparable in safety profile to other certified organic or chemical-screened brands like Cora or Seventh Generation, though at a higher price point.
If you buy it
Applicators are single-use products, so disposal after each use prevents any accumulation or breakdown concerns. Store the box in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture damage to the cardboard before use. The plastic handle components should not be exposed to heat (e.g., do not autoclave or boil). No special maintenance is required; these are ready-to-use consumables with a shelf life typical of period products.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Aunt Flow has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.