u by kotex compact regular unscented tampons, 32 tampons
Lower concern. Core materials inherently low-risk, brand silent on PFAS.
Tampons are primarily rayon and cotton, materials with no known PFAS risk. U by Kotex makes no PFAS claims either way; no third-party testing data publicly available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
rayon/viscose core, cotton/synthetic blend
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.
Skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis from materials
Rayon/cotton blends are low-irritancy materials, but individual sensitivity to synthetic fibers in the applicator or coating is possible. No brand-specific irritation pattern is documented for U by Kotex in available sources.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from prolonged wear
TSS is a known rare but serious risk associated with all tampons, including conventional rayon/cotton variants. Risk is mitigated by following standard usage guidelines (change every 4-8 hours). This is a category-wide concern, not specific to U by Kotex.
Applicator degradation and microplastic shedding
Synthetic blend applicators can degrade with friction or moisture exposure. No independent testing of U by Kotex applicators for microplastic shedding is available; this remains a potential concern for all synthetic-applicator tampons.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Bleaching residues (dioxins/furans) in rayon core
Rayon is bleached during manufacturing; however, final fiber products used in U.S. marketed tampons are not established to retain harmful dioxin or furan residues at toxicologically relevant levels. No public recalls or safety alerts specific to this product exist on record.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance chemicals
This product is unscented, eliminating fragrance as a hazard source. Scented variants of tampons have historically been criticized for undisclosed fragrance additives; this formulation avoids that risk.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
U by Kotex Compact Regular tampons use a rayon/viscose core (bleached cellulose fibers) wrapped in a cotton/synthetic blend applicator and outer absorbent layer. Rayon is chemically processed from wood pulp but does not retain harmful residues in the final fiber form. The unscented formulation avoids fragrance additives, which eliminates a common source of undisclosed chemicals and potential irritants in period products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) does not publish detailed ingredient lists or third-party testing results for this product line, which is typical for mainstream tampon manufacturers. The brand has not faced major recalls or public health controversies tied to this product specifically. U by Kotex markets toward younger consumers and does not claim organic, hypoallergenic, or premium safety certifications that might prompt higher scrutiny.
How it compares in its category
This product occupies the mainstream middle ground: more affordable than certified organic/medical-grade alternatives (such as Organyc or Seventh Generation) but similarly composed to other conventional tampons using rayon/cotton blends. It lacks third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle) that some competitors pursue. The unscented option is a practical advantage over scented variants, which introduce fragrance chemicals with minimal disclosed safety data.
If you buy it
Follow standard tampon hygiene: change every 4-8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, regardless of absorbency. Store in a dry place; do not expose to excessive heat or moisture, which can degrade the applicator integrity. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider if you experience unusual irritation, odor, or symptoms consistent with TSS (fever, rash, dizziness). This product is designed for single use only.
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.