U by Kotex Compact Super Unscented Tampons, 16 tampons
Lower concern; traditional tampon materials inherently avoid PFAS.
U by Kotex tampons use standard rayon and cotton fibers without waterproofing or chemical coatings that typically introduce PFAS. No PFAS-related disclosures or claims available from brand.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
rayon/viscose absorbent core, cotton blend 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.
Bleach residues (chlorine/dioxins)
Rayon and cotton in tampons are typically bleached during manufacturing; while modern processes minimize dioxin formation, trace residues from elemental chlorine bleaching are not routinely disclosed by manufacturers and remain a theoretical exposure route during vaginal insertion.
Pesticide residue
Applicator uses cotton blend; unless certified organic, conventional cotton may retain trace pesticide residues from cultivation. Exposure via applicator contact is minimal because tampons are inserted with applicator withdrawn, but residues could persist on outer fibers.
Source: EPA ↗Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is associated with all tampons, particularly high-absorbency variants, due to toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus growth if left in place >8 hours; Super absorbency increases drying of vaginal mucosa, a known cofactor. This is a use-related hazard, not a material contamination issue.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Fragrance allergens (absent)
Product is explicitly unscented, eliminating fragrance sensitizers or contact dermatitis risk present in perfumed tampon variants.
Rayon processing chemicals (sodium hydroxide/sulfuric acid)
Rayon is manufactured via viscose process using caustic chemicals; no evidence of residual processing reagents in finished tampons, as solvents are recovered or neutralized during production per FDA-cleared manufacturing standards.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
U by Kotex Compact Super uses a rayon/viscose absorbent core (the primary fluid-absorbing material) paired with a cotton-blend applicator. Rayon is a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp; it absorbs menstrual fluid rapidly and poses no inherent risk of leaching toxic compounds into vaginal tissue. The cotton applicator provides structural integrity without additives typical in synthetic applicators. Neither rayon nor cotton in tampons are known vectors for heavy metals, BPA, or phthalates in published safety literature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) maintains minimal public disclosure on material sourcing, chemical processing, or testing beyond compliance with FDA regulations for menstrual devices. The brand has not been subject to major safety recalls or formal contamination findings on record. U by Kotex positions itself as an accessible, unscented option but does not publish third-party certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, organic) or detailed ingredient transparency beyond product labeling. No established controversies regarding toxicant exposure linked to this specific line exist in peer-reviewed literature or regulatory databases.
How it compares in its category
Standard rayon tampons like U by Kotex Compact are the most common category globally and represent the baseline safety profile for absorbent menstrual products. Competitors using identical or near-identical rayon/cotton blends (Tampax Pearl, Playtex) have equivalent hazard profiles. Organic cotton or rayon-certified products (Seventh Generation, Cora) offer transparency as a value-add but carry no documented safety advantage over U by Kotex in terms of toxicant presence. The unscented formulation eliminates fragrance allergen risk present in scented variants.
If you buy it
Insert and change tampons according to absorbency level and flow; do not leave in place longer than 8 hours to minimize toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, a rare but serious infection unrelated to material composition. Dispose of used tampons in waste (not plumbing) to avoid environmental accumulation. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent moisture and microbial growth in the package. No special handling or maintenance is required; use as directed on packaging.
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.