Kotex Natural · Tampons
Kotex Natural Tampon Super 16
Lower-concern period product; no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
Kotex Natural tampons are made from organic cotton and wood pulp with no documented water-resistant or stain-guard treatments, materials and design that typically do not require PFAS.
Shop Kotex Natural on Amazon →Material
organic cotton, wood pulp, no reported water-resistant coating
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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Kotex Natural Super uses organic cotton, wood pulp, and rayon in the absorbent core, with no synthetic polymer coating or water-resistant layer reported. Organic cotton eliminates conventional pesticide residues that non-organic cotton may retain; wood pulp and rayon are cellulose-based and biodegrade readily. The lack of a water-resistant coating means no Teflon-type coating or other fluorinated compounds are used in the product itself, reducing one common source of PFAS exposure in period products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex Natural markets itself as a cleaner-ingredient line within Kimberly-Clark's portfolio and carries no major recalls or safety violations on public record for this product. However, the brand has not published detailed ingredient certifications (e.g., organic certification body, third-party testing for contaminants, or explicit PFAS non-use statements), leaving transparency gaps. The parent company Kimberly-Clark has faced scrutiny over PFAS use in other hygiene products but has not flagged Kotex Natural as a concern area in available statements.
How it compares in its category
Period products made from organic cotton and uncoated cellulose are generally lower-hazard than those with synthetic polymer coatings or water-resistant barriers, which often contain PFAS or other fluorochemicals. Kotex Natural sits in the mid-to-premium market segment alongside brands like Seventh Generation and Cora, all positioning on organic/natural claims. Direct competitor transparency varies; some brands provide third-party certifications (e.g., GOTS organic certification) while others, including Kotex Natural, do not advertise these on packaging.
If you buy it
Follow standard tampon safety: change every 4-8 hours and do not leave in overnight, as all tampons carry a small TSS (toxic shock syndrome) risk regardless of material. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or bacterial growth on the cotton. If you have sensitive skin or reactions to rayon or wood pulp, patch-test or consider 100% cotton alternatives. No special care or heating limits apply; this is a single-use disposable product.
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.”
Rayon or wood pulp processing residues (dioxins, heavy metals)
Viscose rayon and wood pulp undergo bleaching and chemical processing; no specific contamination has been reported in Kotex Natural products, but industry-wide standards do not universally exclude trace dioxin or heavy metal carryover from pulping.
Organic cotton pesticide or heavy metal residues
Organic certification standards prohibit synthetic pesticides but do not eliminate all heavy metals from soil; Kotex Natural does not publish third-party heavy metal testing, so residual risk cannot be ruled out but is not documented.
Bacterial or mold contamination
Tampons are high-moisture cellulose products; improper storage or high humidity can support microbial growth before use, though Kotex Natural's manufacturing standards and packaging are designed to prevent this.
Fragrance or preservative allergens (if added)
Kotex Natural Super is marketed as unscented and fragrance-free; no formaldehyde releasers or known sensitizing preservatives are disclosed, reducing dermal/mucosal irritation risk.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a known but rare risk for all tampons, unrelated to material type; incidence is reduced by proper insertion, regular changes, and alternation with pads. No TSS cluster has been reported for this specific product.
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
organic cotton (tampon & applicator core); cardboard applicator
Lower-concern buy, organic cotton & MADE SAFE cert reduce PFAS risk, though brand is silent on the topic.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Lola
Organic Cotton Tampons
organic cotton (no synthetic coatings)
Lower concern, uncoated organic cotton with transparent PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Cora
Organic Tampons with Applicator
organic cotton tampon with cardboard/plastic applicator
Lower-concern choice; organic base material and MADE SAFE cert suggest thoughtful sourcing, but no explicit PFAS commitment.
✓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.