70/ 100
C
OverallF42/100
Kotex Tampon Super 16 pcs

Kotex · Tampons

Kotex Tampon Super 16 pcs

C · Moderate

Lower concern; traditional tampon design with no known PFAS-prone treatments, but no public transparency from Kotex on coatings.

Verdict: BuyStandard tampon with rayon/cotton core and plastic applicator; no established safety incidents; lower PFAS concern; adequate for typical use.

Kotex tampons use standard cellulose-based absorbent cores and cotton/rayon covers, materials not typically treated with PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.

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Material

Rayon/cellulose core; cotton/rayon cover; plastic applicator

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Category baseline

period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Kotex Super uses a rayon and cellulose core (absorbent material), with a cotton or rayon cover, and a plastic applicator. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood pulp and is the industry standard for absorbency in tampons. The plastic applicator is typically polypropylene or similar commodity plastic. This material combination is chemically stable under normal body conditions and poses minimal leaching risk during the short contact period (hours) of use.

The brand's record and disclosure

Kotex (Kimberly-Clark) has not published detailed ingredient lists or third-party certifications specific to tampon safety testing on their website. The brand does not highlight organic, chlorine-free, or other premium safety claims, placing it in the mainstream commercial category. No major safety recalls or controversies have been established for Kotex tampons in public health databases. Transparency around bleaching agents, dyes, or coatings remains limited compared to certified organic brands.

How it compares in its category

Kotex Super is a conventional tampon at the mass-market tier. It lacks certifications such as Organic, non-toxic (Leaping Bunny), or chlorine-free labeling that some premium competitors (e.g., Seventh Generation, Cora) carry. Conversely, it is widely available, affordable, and has an established user base with no documented acute safety signals. For absorption level, Super sits mid-range; users with heavier flow may choose super-plus alternatives.

If you buy it

Use as directed: insert fully and replace every 4-8 hours to minimize toxic shock syndrome risk. Do not leave in place for longer than 8 hours. Discard applicator in trash (not toilet) to prevent plumbing issues. If you experience unusual vaginal irritation, odor, or allergic symptoms, discontinue and consult a healthcare provider. For any concerns about dyes or bleaching residue, consider switching to unbleached or certified organic alternatives for comparison.

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.”

Possible

Chlorine bleach residues in rayon core

Conventional rayon tampons are typically chlorine-bleached during processing. No toxicologically concerning residual levels have been established in regulatory testing, but traces may remain and are not publicly disclosed by Kotex. Users sensitive to chlorine or interested in minimizing exposure should seek unbleached options.

None known

Azo dyes in cover or core

Kotex does not publish dye specifications. While azo dyes can degrade into aromatic amines, the regulatory standard for tampons and the minimal dye load in white or light-colored tampon covers make systemic toxicity unlikely. No adverse events have been reported.

Possible

Plastic applicator degradation or microplastics

Polypropylene applicators are durable and stable at body temperature but may shed micro-fragments if cracked or degraded. Single-use design minimizes cumulative exposure. Risk is generally low but not zero; users concerned about microplastic exposure may prefer cardboard applicators (e.g., competitor brands).

Reported

Allergic reaction to synthetic fibers or residual processing chemicals

Some individuals report vaginal irritation or allergic contact dermatitis with conventional tampons, though causation (fiber allergy vs. dyes vs. residual chemicals) is often unclear. Incidence is rare. If symptoms appear, switch to hypoallergenic or certified organic brands and consult a gynecologist.

Reported

Toxic shock syndrome risk (general tampon hazard, not brand-specific)

TSS is a well-known but rare risk associated with any tampon left in place too long, regardless of brand or absorbency level. Use Kotex Super only as directed, with replacement every 4-8 hours, to minimize risk.

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.

Safer alternatives in Tampons

Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons Applicator

Seventh Generation

Organic Cotton Tampons Applicator

organic cotton (tampon & applicator core); cardboard applicator

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS1 flag

Lower-concern buy, organic cotton & MADE SAFE cert reduce PFAS risk, though brand is silent on the topic.

MADE SAFE Certified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

LOLA Organic Cotton Tampons

Lola

Organic Cotton Tampons

organic cotton (no synthetic coatings)

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS1 flag

Lower concern, uncoated organic cotton with transparent PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.

MADE SAFE CertifiedOrganic (USDA/OCS equivalent)

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Organic Tampons with Applicator

Cora

Organic Tampons with Applicator

organic cotton tampon with cardboard/plastic applicator

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS2 flags

Lower-concern choice; organic base material and MADE SAFE cert suggest thoughtful sourcing, but no explicit PFAS commitment.

MADE SAFE CertifiedLeaping Bunny

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.