U by Kotex Click Compact Tampons
Lower concern, but brand provides no PFAS transparency.
Tampons are primarily rayon and cardboard, inherently lower PFAS risk materials. Kotex makes no public PFAS claims or third-party certifications for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
rayon/viscose and cardboard applicator
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.
Dioxin and bleaching byproducts in rayon fibers
Rayon production involves bleaching steps that can leave trace dioxin residues; industry-wide data shows low but detectable levels in conventional tampons. Kotex does not publicly disclose bleaching methods or post-production testing, so dioxin levels for this specific product are unknown.
Bacterial or mold growth during storage or use
Cardboard packaging can absorb moisture in humid environments, creating conditions for microbial growth. This is a storage/use risk common to all cardboard-applicator products and is minimized by keeping the product in dry conditions and using promptly.
Fragrance or additive allergens
Kotex Click line includes scented variants; undisclosed fragrance compounds can trigger vulvovaginal irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The brand does not disclose fragrance ingredients or allergen warnings beyond regulatory minimums.
Cardboard applicator splinter or irritation risk
Cardboard applicators are generally safe but can splinter or tear if compressed forcefully or stored in high-humidity conditions, potentially causing minor vaginal irritation. This is a mechanical risk, not chemical, and is mitigated by careful handling.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Pesticide residue
No recalls or public testing results identify pesticide contamination in U by Kotex Click. The brand does not specify whether source wood pulp is conventional or organic; organic-certified brands test for this, but Kotex does not claim certification.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
U by Kotex Click uses rayon (viscose) fibers for absorbency and a cardboard applicator instead of plastic or plastic-coated options. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber that does not inherently leach endocrine disruptors or heavy metals in the way some synthetic polymers do. The cardboard applicator eliminates concerns about plastic degradation, BPA/BPS leaching, or phthalate exposure during insertion. Both rayon and cardboard are biodegradable and compostable, though the product's full environmental footprint depends on manufacturing and bleaching practices not disclosed by brand.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex Security (parent Essity) has not published detailed ingredient lists, chemical sourcing policies, or independent third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has not publicly committed to eliminating PFAS or other fluorinated compounds, nor has it faced major safety recalls or FDA warnings specific to menstrual products. Industry-wide, Kotex is not a recognized leader in transparency; competitors like Seventh Generation and Cora publish full ingredient disclosures and pursue certifications like Safe Harbor or B-Corp, while Kotex does not.
How it compares in its category
Rayon/viscose tampons dominate the mass-market segment and are chemically safer than all-plastic applicators containing PVC or polypropylene, which can leach plasticizers. Cardboard applicators are standard and preferable to plastic; however, this product lacks the transparency of certified organic or certified chemical-free brands (e.g., Cora, Seventh Generation, or Natracare), which publicly test for dioxins, pesticide residues, and bleach byproducts. For consumers prioritizing ingredient certainty, this product sits in the mid-tier: safer than budget plastic-applicator brands but less transparent than premium alternatives.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent mold or bacterial growth in cardboard packaging. Use one applicator per insertion; cardboard applicators are single-use and not reusable. Replace the product immediately if you notice discoloration, odor, or visible contamination of the packaging. No special precautions are required beyond standard menstrual hygiene; rayon and cardboard do not require heat, chemical, or mechanical maintenance.
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
- U by Kotex 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.