U by Kotex Balance Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry or obtains third-party verification.
Overnight pads require water-resistant treatment, likely applied to core or layers, but brand does not disclose coating type or PFAS status. No public lab testing or certifications available.
The better-graded swap
Natracare
Natracare Organic Pads
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
cellulose layers with unspecified water-resistant coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What U by Kotex Balance Ultra Thin Wings is made of, ingredients and materials
U by Kotex Balance Ultra Thin Overnight uses cellulose as its absorbent core, a standard plant-based material in period pads. The product includes a water-resistant coating whose specific chemistry Kotex has not publicly disclosed. This coating is critical because it determines both breathability and the presence of PFAS compounds (PFAS "forever chemicals"), which are used in many water-resistant textile treatments and accumulate in body tissues.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
Undisclosed water-resistant coating chemistry
The coating is essential for absorbency control but its specific ingredients (including potential PFAS) are not published. Without disclosure, the risk profile cannot be fully assessed; the concern is elevated by industry-wide PFAS use in similar products.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-containing resins or releasers have been reported in U by Kotex period pads. Cellulose-based absorbent cores and typical pad adhesives do not typically contain formaldehyde, though individual component sourcing is not disclosed.
Source, ATSDR ↗Allergens in fragrance or additives
U by Kotex Balance products are marketed as fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. No documented allergic reactions or fragrance allergen incidents are on record for this line, though individual sensitivity to coating materials remains possible.
Microparticle or coating shedding
No published studies document significant shedding or microparticle release from U by Kotex pads during normal use. Cellulose cores and modern pad construction are designed for structural integrity, but long-term integrity of the undisclosed coating is not independently verified.
Heavy metals
Cellulose absorbent materials in period pads are not typically associated with heavy metal contamination from bleaching, as chlorine-based processes do not introduce lead or cadmium. No recalls or testing failures for heavy metals in this product line are on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) has not made public commitments to PFAS-free manufacturing or disclosed the chemistry of its water-resistant coatings in period products. The brand has faced no major recalls or contamination incidents on record for this product line, but silence on PFAS composition is notable given industry scrutiny of menstrual product safety. Other period-care brands have begun voluntary PFAS phase-outs or third-party testing; Kotex's position remains unclear.
How it compares in its category
Most period pads, including overnight variants, use water-resistant coatings of unknown or mixed PFAS content. Brands such as Seventh Generation and some store labels have marketed PFAS-free or low-PFAS options, though verification is limited. U by Kotex Balance does not advertise PFAS-free status or independent testing, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of transparency within a category where disclosure is still sparse across the industry.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent any coating degradation. Change pads every 4-8 hours or as needed; prolonged contact increases exposure to any chemicals in the coating. If you experience skin irritation, itching, or allergic reactions, discontinue use and switch to a brand with published PFAS testing or certification. Consider requesting Kotex disclose coating composition via their consumer service.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- U by Kotex 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 U by Kotex Balance Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings?
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Fragrance allergens (if scented variant)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- organic cotton with natural fibers
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
Organyc
100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons Cardboard Applicator
- 100% organic cotton with cardboard applicator
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Cardboard applicator structural integrity over time
More period care grades
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25Period Underwear (generic)
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25U by Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings, Extra Heavy Absorbency
25U by Kotex Ultra Thin Pads, Heavy Absorbency
25Always Discreet 360 Form Fit Maximum UnderwearCompare vs Natracare →All period care →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.