Kotex · Incontinence Pads & Protection
Kotex Absorbent Wrapped Liners
Lower concern. No known PFAS use in standard absorbent liners.
Kotex liners use cellulose and nonwoven materials without disclosed water-repellent coatings. No public PFAS concerns identified, though brand provides no explicit disclosure.
Shop Kotex on Amazon →Material
Cellulose-based absorbent core, wrapped nonwoven
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Kotex Absorbent Wrapped Liners use a cellulose-based absorbent core (wood pulp derivative) wrapped in nonwoven synthetic fibers, typically polypropylene or polyethylene. This material combination is widely used across the period-care industry and does not involve the fluorinated compounds (Teflon-type coating, PFOAs) found in some food-contact cookware. The cellulose core is designed for moisture absorption and the nonwoven wrapping provides structural integrity and comfort against skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient transparency or third-party certifications specific to absorbent liner composition. The brand has not faced major safety recalls related to absorbent liners in the U.S. market. However, Kotex's parent company maintains a general silence on PFAS use in menstrual products, which is consistent with industry-wide opacity; independent testing and regulatory filings suggest PFAS is unlikely in standard absorbent cores but possible in optional water-resistance treatments.
How it compares in its category
Kotex liners occupy the mainstream mid-market segment. Competitors like Tampax and Always use similar cellulose-nonwoven constructions without major differentiation in disclosed hazard profiles. Organic or certified alternatives (Seventh Generation, Natracare) offer third-party testing and reduced chemical processing, but cost more. Kotex does not market environmental or chemical certifications that would distinguish it from standard products.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent moisture absorption before use. Use as intended and replace when saturated; liners are single-use and should not be reused or rinsed. No special handling or precautions are required beyond standard hygiene (handwashing before and after application). Discontinue use if skin irritation, itching, or allergic reaction develops, as individual sensitivity to nonwoven fibers or cellulose processing residues is rare but possible.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Skin contact irritants or allergens in nonwoven wrapping
Nonwoven polypropylene and polyethylene fibers are generally considered skin-safe, but residual processing chemicals (e.g., lubricants, antistatic agents) or dyes used in manufacturing may cause contact dermatitis or irritation in sensitive individuals. No recalls or widespread complaints are on record for Kotex liners specifically.
Cellulose processing residues or bleach byproducts
Cellulose pulp used in absorbent cores is typically bleached and processed; incomplete removal of chlorine-based bleaching agents or formaldehyde-releasing cross-linkers is theoretically possible but not documented as a hazard in commercial menstrual products. Kotex does not disclose bleaching methods.
Microplastic generation or nonwoven fiber shedding
Nonwoven synthetic fibers may shed or fragment during use or storage, particularly if the product is compressed or stored in hot/humid conditions. The health significance of ingesting or absorbing microfibers from menstrual products is not well-studied; concern is theoretical rather than established.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in optional additives
If Kotex liners contain water-resistance or odor-control coatings, these could theoretically include phthalates or bisphenols; however, no such additives are disclosed on packaging and independent testing has not flagged Kotex absorbent liners as containing BPA or phthalates.
Fragrance or dye allergens if scented variants used
Kotex produces unscented and lightly scented liner variants. Fragrance compounds and synthetic dyes used in scented versions may trigger allergic contact dermatitis or irritation in users with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity. Users should select unscented options if prone to irritation.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More incontinence pads & protection 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.