U by Kotex Kotex Ultra Thin Pads
No public PFAS data; brand silent on composition and chemical safety.
U by Kotex provides no PFAS disclosure or third-party verification for this product. Typical pad materials are lower concern, but lack of transparency limits confidence.
The better-graded swap
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Maxi 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, adhesive, non-woven layers (typical pad construction)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What U by Kotex Kotex Ultra Thin Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
U by Kotex Ultra Thin pads use cellulose as the primary absorbent core, with adhesive (typically acrylate-based) and non-woven synthetic layers (polypropylene or polyester). Cellulose is a natural, processed plant fiber with no known toxic leaching risk in the brief, room-temperature contact period of menstrual use. The adhesive and non-woven components are standard in the category and have not been linked to systemic absorption or reproductive hazards at typical use levels.
What’s concerning
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.
Fragrance compounds and sensitization
Some Kotex pad lines include fragrance; Ultra Thin variant does not widely advertise fragrance, but ingredient transparency is absent. Fragrance can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Adhesive migration or irritation
The acrylate-based adhesive is not absorbed systemically but can cause localized skin irritation in genetically predisposed users. No specific recalls or hazard reports for this brand.
What’s reassuring
Bleaching residues (chlorine, dioxins)
Conventional cellulose pads are typically chlorine-bleached; no public data or recalls indicate problematic dioxin levels in U by Kotex products. FDA-regulated absorbent materials for this use are not required to disclose bleaching methods.
Non-woven synthetic fiber shedding
Polypropylene and polyester non-wovens are designed to retain fiber integrity; microplastic shedding into the vaginal tract is not an established hazard in the scientific literature for this product type, though long-term data is limited.
Heavy metals
FDA oversight of colorants in absorbent products is present; no recalls or public reports of heavy-metal contamination in Kotex pads. Ink on packaging is not in direct contact with absorbent material.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient lists or chemical safety testing for its pads. The brand has not faced significant recalls or safety complaints related to chemical composition. No certifications (organic, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free claim verification) are prominently claimed for this product line. Public advocacy groups have called for greater transparency across the menstrual-product industry regarding PFAS and other chemicals, but Kotex has not issued public statements on chemical safety or composition.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex Ultra Thin sits in the mainstream, mass-market segment. It offers no material advantage or disadvantage over other conventional cellulose-based pads (Tampax, Always, Cora, etc.) in terms of chemical hazards. Some alternatives market organic cotton or transparent ingredient lists (e.g., Cora, Aunt Flow, Rael), which allow higher scrutiny. Unbleached or chlorine-free variants exist in the category but are not standard for this product.
If you buy it
Change pads regularly (every 4-8 hours depending on flow) to minimize prolonged moisture contact and reduce risk of infection, which is a use-related concern independent of chemical composition. Store in a cool, dry place; do not expose to heat or direct sunlight, though this product is not prone to degradation under normal conditions. Discontinue use if irritation occurs and switch to a different product to identify if a component (adhesive, fragrance if any, or material) is a trigger. Check the packaging for fragrance claims; unscented variants are typically lower-irritation.
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 Kotex Ultra Thin Pads?
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
- cellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bleach residues and processing chemicals in cellulose
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Cotton, wood pulp absorbent core, plastic backing
- Pesticide residue
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More period pads 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.