U by Kotex Security Maxi Pads
Lower concern. No known PFAS use; brand silent on issue.
U by Kotex pads use standard absorbent materials without disclosed water-repellent coatings or PFAS. Kotex has not publicly addressed PFAS in period care products.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
absorbent core, nonwoven layers, adhesive
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What U by Kotex Security Maxi Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
U by Kotex Security Maxi Pads use a nonwoven absorbent core (typically wood pulp and superabsorbent polymer, usually sodium polyacrylate), nonwoven layers for fluid distribution, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive for attachment to undergarments. These materials are widely used in menstrual products and have no documented systemic absorption risk during normal use; the product does not involve coating, heat exposure, or food contact, eliminating most chemical leaching pathways.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens (optional, not all variants)
Scented variants contain fragrance compounds that may trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in users with fragrance sensitivity; fragrance-free options are available from this brand to mitigate risk.
Adhesive skin contact reaction
Pressure-sensitive adhesives may cause localized irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases; risk is low for users without specific adhesive allergies but is product-contact dependent.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) irritation or TSS risk
No causal link between SAP and toxic shock syndrome or irritation has been established in clinical literature; SAP is used across all major pad brands and has not triggered recalls on safety grounds.
Bleach residues or chlorine byproducts
Nonwoven materials in menstrual pads may be chlorine-bleached during manufacturing; no recall or toxicological record of chlorine residues in Kotex products, and bleach levels in finished nonwovens are tightly regulated.
Dioxins from bleaching or pulping
Dioxin contamination in wood pulp-based products is monitored and restricted by FDA and EPA standards; no known detection in Kotex or peer products at use-concerning levels.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) discloses product ingredients on packaging and website, meets FDA classifications for menstrual products, and has published a commitment to ingredient transparency. The brand has no major recalls or toxicology findings on record for this product line. However, the brand has remained silent on PFAS policy despite industry pressure, though no known PFAS has been detected in their pads.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex Security is a mainstream menstrual pad with ingredient disclosure comparable to market leaders (Tampax, Always). It lacks specialized certifications (organic, allergen-tested, hypoallergenic) but carries no known material disadvantages relative to competitors of the same price tier. Fragrance-free versions are available, reducing allergenic potential for sensitive users.
If you buy it
No special care or heat limits apply to the pad itself. Replace every 4-8 hours or as needed to prevent bacterial overgrowth and skin irritation. If you have a history of sensitive skin or allergic contact dermatitis, test on a small area first or consider the fragrance-free variant. Store in a cool, dry place; do not expose to direct heat or sunlight before use.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kotex Security has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Period Pads
Seventh Generation
Chlorine Free Maxi Pads
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
More period pads 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.