Playtex Gentle Glide · Tampons
Playtex Gentle Glide Box 8 Tampons Non-deodorant Super Absorb
Lower-concern product; no known PFAS use in tampons.
Playtex tampons are primarily rayon and cotton with no disclosed water-repellent or stain-resistant treatment. No public evidence of PFAS in period care products, though brand does not explicitly confirm PFAS-free status.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend, cardboard applicator
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Playtex Gentle Glide Box 8 Tampons is made of, ingredients and materials
This tampon uses a rayon and cotton blend for the absorbent core, which are cellulose-based fibers with a long history of use in menstrual products. Rayon (viscose) is produced by dissolving cellulose and reconstituting it; this process typically uses sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, but residual chemicals are minimal in the finished fiber. The cardboard applicator is unbleached or minimally processed plant material, posing no known chemical concern. Cotton blends increase absorbency and reduce reliance on synthetic polymers.
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.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk
All tampons carry a documented but rare risk of TSS when left in place too long or in cases of pre-existing vaginal colonization. This product does not claim enhanced TSS prevention measures. Risk is not unique to this brand and is managed by user behavior (timely changes) and product design (absorbency matching flow).
Dioxin and chlorine residue from bleaching
Rayon and cotton fibers are typically bleached during production; trace dioxins (environmental contaminants formed during bleach processes) may remain. Regulatory levels in finished tampons are considered acceptable by FDA. This product does not specify unbleached or low-dioxin processing; no third-party testing on record.
Pesticide residue
Cotton fibers may carry pesticide residues if sourced from conventional (non-organic) crops. Finished-product pesticide levels are not regulated by FDA for tampons. This product does not claim organic certification, so conventional cotton pesticide burden is plausible but not quantified.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens (absent in non-deodorant variant)
Non-deodorant formulations like this one omit artificial fragrances and antimicrobial agents, eliminating a common source of vulvovaginal irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. This is a material advantage over deodorant tampons.
Cardboard applicator degradation or splinters
Cardboard applicators are prone to moisture softening and potential fiber shedding if stored in humid conditions or if the applicator is damaged before use. Risk of vaginal trauma is low with normal insertion, but user technique and product integrity matter.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Playtex does not publicly detail PFAS avoidance or provide ingredient transparency beyond fiber type on packaging. The brand has no documented recalls or safety violations specific to this product line as of current public record. Playtex is owned by Edgewell Personal Care (a subsidiary of Energizer Holdings) and operates under general FDA oversight for medical devices. No third-party certifications (organic, allergen-tested, dioxin-screened) are claimed on this non-deodorant variant.
How it compares in its category
Rayon/cotton blends are standard in mainstream tampons; they are as common as 100% rayon or cotton-only alternatives. Non-deodorant tampons avoid fragrance and antimicrobial additives, which reduces potential irritant exposure compared to deodorant variants. Cardboard applicators are gentler on the environment than plastic but offer no additional safety advantage. Organic or medical-device certified tampons may carry third-party screening for dioxin or pesticide residue, but this product does not.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent mold or bacterial growth before use. Change every 4-8 hours depending on flow to minimize toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, a rare but serious condition. Cardboard applicators are biodegradable; dispose in trash or composting programs if available. If vaginal irritation, unusual odor, or discharge occurs, discontinue and consult a healthcare provider.
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
- Playtex Gentle Glide has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.