Playtex Clean Comfort Tampons, Super, 16 ct
Lower concern, but brand silence limits confidence.
Playtex Clean Comfort tampons use standard absorbent rayon and cotton construction without disclosed water-repellent or anti-stick coatings. The brand makes no public PFAS claim or disclosure.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend outer
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Playtex Clean Comfort Tampons, Super, is made of, ingredients and materials
Playtex Clean Comfort uses a rayon (viscose) absorbent core blended with cotton on the outer layer. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber produced via chemical processing but contains no inherent heavy metals or persistent toxins at the fiber stage. The cotton blend exterior reduces skin irritation risk compared to 100% synthetic cores, and the combination is a standard industry formulation with no known chemical residues of concern in the finished product.
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.
Pesticide residue
The outer cotton blend may contain residual pesticides if sourced from conventional (non-organic) cotton fields. Playtex does not disclose pesticide testing or organic sourcing; residue levels in finished textiles are typically very low but remain unverified for this product.
Source, EPA ↗Bleach residues and processing chemicals
Rayon production and textile bleaching involve chlorine and other processing agents. Finished products are rinsed, but trace residues of chlorine or formaldehyde (used in fabric finishing) are possible; no independent testing data is available for Playtex-branded tampons.
Skin sensitization from dyes or finishes
Minor dyes or finishes may be applied to the outer cotton layer; synthetic dyes can occasionally trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive users. No reported incidents are on record for this specific product, but individual sensitivity is possible.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Rayon absorbency and bacterial colonization risk
Rayon-core tampons are designed for internal use and carry no higher bacterial colonization risk than other absorbent materials when used and replaced as directed. Toxic shock syndrome risk is not higher for this material composition compared to industry standard products.
Microplastics
This product uses a cardboard applicator (not plastic), so no microplastic shedding from the applicator is a concern. No microplastic risk is known from the tampon material itself.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Playtex (owned by Edgewell Personal Care) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, pesticide residues on cotton, or supply-chain testing for contaminants. The brand has faced no major product recalls or safety controversies on record, but maintains industry-standard opacity on textile chemical processing. No independent third-party certifications (such as Cradle to Cradle or organic cotton verification) are listed for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Playtex Clean Comfort sits in the mainstream mid-market segment. Compared to fully organic or certified-clean alternatives (e.g. Cora, Seventh Generation), it offers no independent verification of chemical inputs. Compared to budget or plastic-applicator heavy brands, the cotton blend and standard rayon core are typical and pose no elevated risk. Most major brands in this category use similar rayon/cotton formulations with equivalent safety profiles.
If you buy it
No special storage or handling is required beyond keeping the product dry. There are no known usage limits or heat-related concerns with this product type. Replace applicators and tampons as directed by the product; do not reuse. If you experience unusual irritation, itching, or rash, consider patch-testing with an alternative brand or consulting a healthcare provider, as individual sensitivity to materials varies.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Playtex has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Playtex Clean Comfort Tampons, Super, 16 ct?
- 100% organic cotton
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Heavy metals
Natracare
Organic Super Plus Tampons, 3 x 20 ct
- organic cotton, cardboard applicator
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Dioxins from bleaching
Natracare
Organic Cotton Super Plus Tampons
- organic cotton, no added fluorochemicals
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- 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.