U by Kotex Maxi Overnight Maxi Pads with Wings
Skip until brand discloses waterproof treatment chemistry.
Period pads typically use waterproof backings to prevent leaks, often treated with PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes. U by Kotex does not disclose what coating is used, making PFAS exposure status unknown.
The better-graded swap
Organyc
Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons Cardboard Applicator
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
nonwoven cellulose with unspecified waterproof backing
Lab data
No public lab test
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What U by Kotex Maxi Overnight Maxi Pads Wings is made of, ingredients and materials
U by Kotex Overnight pads use nonwoven cellulose as the absorbent core, a standard material in period care that does not itself carry established chemical concerns at product-use exposure levels. The waterproof backing layer is not chemically specified in available product documentation or brand statements. Nonwoven cellulose production can involve bleaching and synthetic binding agents, but finished-product residues are not documented as a concern in this category. The unidentified waterproof treatment is the material chemistry weakness here.
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.
PFAS
The backing material is not named or tested in public sources. Waterproof coatings on period pads historically relied on synthetic polymers; PFAS-free options exist but are not confirmed here. This is a category-wide disclosure failure, not unique to U by Kotex.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nonwoven cellulose sheets may use formaldehyde-releasing adhesive resins during manufacture. Residual formaldehyde is not documented as a public concern in finished period-pad products, but no testing data is available for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Irritant or allergic contact from unidentified backing polymers
Direct prolonged skin contact with synthetic backings can cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Absence of material disclosure prevents consumer self-assessment of compatibility with known sensitivities.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in absorbent core or backing
U by Kotex pads do not list dyes in available product descriptions, and textile azo dye concerns are primarily associated with apparel and dyed textiles. No recalls or complaints link azo dyes to this product.
Microplastic shedding from nonwoven breakdown
Nonwoven cellulose is biodegradable and unlikely to shed microplastics; the synthetic backing could theoretically fragment, but no evidence of this occurring in product-use is on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) has not published detailed ingredient lists, processing disclosures, or independent certifications for PFAS-free or restricted-chemical status on this product line. The brand has faced consumer scrutiny over undisclosed chemical use in period care products generally, but no specific recalls or regulatory actions are on record for U by Kotex pads. Lack of proactive transparency on waterproof treatment chemistry is the primary disclosure gap.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream period-pad brands (Kotex, Always, Tampax) do not disclose waterproof backing chemistry, making U by Kotex typical rather than distinctive in transparency. Premium or eco-marketed alternatives (Cora, Rael, Aunt Flow) often specify PFAS-free or use cotton/plant-based backings with published material sourcing. U by Kotex is positioned as affordable mainstream and does not compete on disclosure or material innovation; it occupies the low-transparency segment of the category.
If you buy it
Change pads every 4-8 hours to minimize skin contact duration and reduce potential for irritant accumulation or microbial growth in the absorbent layer. Do not expose pads to heat (direct sunlight, hot storage) as this could affect polymer stability in the backing layer, though no degradation risk is documented. Store in a cool, dry place; discard immediately after use. If skin irritation, rash, or odor develops, discontinue and consider a brand with disclosed material composition.
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 Maxi Overnight Maxi 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)
25Thinx Period Underwear
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.