U by Kotex Click Compact Multipack Tampons Regular/Super Unscented 30 ct
Lower concern product, no confirmed PFAS risk signals identified.
Tampons are primarily cellulose-based materials without known PFAS treatments. No public disclosure of PFAS testing or use by brand, but standard tampon composition poses lower PFAS concern than water-resistant or nonstick products.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Rayon/viscose, cotton, cardboard applicator
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.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) - general tampon risk
TSS is associated with prolonged tampon use and high-absorbency products, not specific material composition. U by Kotex Click Regular/Super absorbencies carry the same TSS risk profile as any mainstream tampon. Risk is minimized by adherence to usage guidelines (change every 4-8 hours, alternate with pads).
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Pesticide residue
Kotex does not disclose whether cotton is conventional or organic. Conventional cotton is heavily pesticide-treated during cultivation, but no studies have documented problematic systemic absorption of pesticide residues from tampons into vaginal tissue in normal use. This remains an unquantified exposure pathway.
Source: EPA ↗Rayon processing chemicals (dioxins, sulfur compounds)
Rayon production involves sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide; however, the final fiber does not retain these chemicals in clinically detectable amounts. Historical concerns about dioxin contamination in tampons have not been substantiated in recent testing, and this product has no specific safety signal on record.
Bleaching residues (chlorine, elemental chlorine)
Kotex does not disclose bleaching method (elemental chlorine vs. oxygen/chlorine dioxide). Most major brands have transitioned away from elemental chlorine, but no confirmation is available for this specific product. No residual chlorine or dioxin concerns have been documented in FDA or consumer safety reports.
Plastic applicator leaching (not applicable to this product)
This product uses cardboard, not plastic, eliminating BPA, BPS, and phthalate leaching concerns present in plastic-applicator tampons. This is a material advantage over plastic alternatives.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
U by Kotex Click tampons use rayon (viscose) and cotton as the absorbent core, with a cardboard applicator. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber that is highly absorbent but chemically processed during manufacturing; however, the final fiber itself does not retain processing residues in clinically significant amounts. Cardboard applicators eliminate concerns associated with plastic or plastic-coated applicators (BPA, phthalate leaching). The unscented formulation removes fragrance allergen risk that scented variants carry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex is owned by Kimberly-Clark, a major consumer-goods manufacturer. The company does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, pesticide use on cotton, or chemical processing protocols for rayon production. U by Kotex has no documented recalls, safety controversies, or regulatory actions on record related to these tampons. The brand does not advertise organic certification, but the product carries no known red flags in FDA or consumer safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Cardboard applicators are considered a safer choice than plastic or plastic-coated alternatives because they eliminate leaching pathways for plasticizers and microplastics. U by Kotex sits in the mainstream market segment; it is less expensive than organic/certified brands and lacks third-party certifications (organic, Fair Trade, chlorine-free bleaching). Many competitor products use identical rayon-cotton blends, so material hazard risk is category-typical, not elevated.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent mold or bacterial colonization in the cardboard packaging. Use one tampon per menstrual cycle phase and replace every 4 to 8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, as with all tampons. The cardboard applicator is not reusable and should be disposed of as regular waste. No special care or maintenance is required; this is a single-use consumable product.
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
- U by 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.