U by Kotex Click Compact Unscented Tampons, Regular
Lower concern; natural fiber absorbent with no known PFAS use.
Kotex tampons use rayon and cotton, inherently PFAS-free materials. Brand makes no PFAS claims and no lab data is publicly available, but the product category and materials pose minimal PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend cover
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.
Dioxins from chlorine bleaching
Conventionally manufactured rayon and cotton textiles may be bleached with chlorine or chlorine dioxide to achieve whiteness. Dioxin (TCDD) formation is a known byproduct of industrial chlorine bleaching, though modern facilities use closed-loop systems and wastewater treatment to minimize release. Kotex does not specify bleaching method for Click; dioxin levels in finished tampons are typically w
Vulvovaginal irritation from additives or material sensitivity
Individual sensitivity to rayon, cotton, or any residual processing chemicals varies widely; some users report vulvovaginal irritation, itching, or contact dermatitis from conventional tampons. This product is unscented, which reduces fragrance-related irritation risk. If irritation occurs, switching to organic, chlorine-free, or hypoallergenic alternatives (or different absorbency) is recommended
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from prolonged use
TSS is a rare systemic infection associated with tampon use, particularly with high-absorbency products or extended wear beyond 8 hours. U by Kotex Click Regular absorbency carries lower TSS risk than Super or Super Plus variants. Risk is entirely user-controlled through adherence to replacement intervals; packaging carries TSS warning. No elevated TSS rate has been reported for this brand vs. com
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Rayon manufacturing byproducts and fiber purity
Viscose rayon fiber itself is chemically inert post-manufacturing, but industrial viscose production uses sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. Finished fiber sold for consumer textiles undergoes rinsing and purification; no residual chemical contamination has been detected in tampons under regulatory oversight. Any process residue would be at trace levels far below consumer exposure thresholds.
Pesticide residue
The cotton-blend cover may contain trace pesticide residues if sourced from conventional (non-organic) cotton fields. Pesticide residues on finished textiles are generally below detectable limits after processing. No recalls or adverse events have been linked to pesticide residues in commercial tampons, and internal contact time is brief (hours). Organic cotton alternatives are available at higher
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
U by Kotex Click uses a rayon (viscose) absorbent core with a cotton-blend cover, a standard composition in the tampon category. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber with no inherent toxicity when produced under regulated conditions; viscose manufacturing does generate chemical wastewater but finished fiber poses no direct consumer hazard. The cotton blend cover is designed to reduce irritation and improve fluid wicking. This material pairing has decades of safety history and no known associations with heavy metals, allergens, or off-gassing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, manufacturing, or third-party safety testing for this product line, which is typical for the category but limits transparency. The brand has no major documented recalls or safety controversies tied to Click Compact tampons. Kotex does not pursue organic or sustainably certified positioning, positioning Click as a conventional mass-market product. The brand's silence on PFAS reflects industry-wide lack of proactive communication rather than known contamination.
How it compares in its category
Click Compact sits in the mainstream conventional segment alongside Tampax and Playtex, using standard rayon/cotton blends without organic certification or specialized material claims. Organic or chlorine-free alternatives (Seventh Generation, Cora, Aunt Flow) offer transparency and material upgrades but at higher cost. The Click format (plastic compact applicator) reduces user contact with the absorbent core during insertion, a design feature that lowers direct skin irritation risk compared to non-applicator styles. Unscented formulation avoids fragrance additives, reducing contact dermatitis risk.
If you buy it
Tampons are single-use, disposable products with no maintenance or long-term storage concerns beyond normal hygiene (keep in cool, dry place). Replace every 4-8 hours per instructions to reduce toxic shock syndrome risk, regardless of absorbency level. The plastic compact applicator is not reusable and generates waste; consider reusable applicators or applicator-free styles if environmental impact is a concern. No heat, chemical, or special care applies; standard disposal (trash, not sewage) is appropriate.
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
- 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.