Kotex Natural · Tampons
Kotex Security Tampons
Lower-concern period product; no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no explicit reassurance.
Kotex Security Tampons use conventional rayon and cotton materials without Teflon-family coating coatings, water-resistant treatments, or marketed non-stick finishes, the typical application areas for PFAS in personal care. No public PFAS disclosures exist.
Shop Kotex Natural on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton blend with absorbent core
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 Security Tampons use a rayon and cotton fiber blend in the absorbent core, with a cotton-blend applicator. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber produced via chemical processing (typically viscose method) but is not known to retain hazardous processing chemicals in the final product. The cotton component adds breathability and reduces reliance on fully synthetic absorbents. No bleach residues (dioxins) have been documented in modern tampon manufacturing, though chlorine-free or oxygen-bleached variants exist if you prefer additional assurance.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex Natural is positioned as a 'natural' product line by Kimberly-Clark, implying fewer synthetic additives, though the brand provides limited ingredient transparency on packaging or website. No recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for this product. The brand does not explicitly certify against heavy metals, dioxins, or pesticide residues, nor do they publish third-party testing results, which is typical across most mainstream tampon manufacturers and not a red flag in isolation.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional tampons (Tampax, Playtex, Kotex) use rayon-cotton blends and carry the same transparency gaps. Organic-certified or medical-grade alternatives (Cora, Seventh Generation) offer explicit pesticide testing and ingredient disclosure, but are costlier and functionally equivalent for safety. Kotex Security sits in the mainstream middle ground: no known hazards, but also no above-average disclosure or third-party verification.
If you buy it
Change tampons every 4-6 hours to reduce bacterial overgrowth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, regardless of brand. Do not leave in place overnight. Dispose in trash, not toilets. The rayon-cotton blend has no special heat or storage sensitivities; store in a cool, dry location. If you experience any irritation, rash, or odor, switch brands; individual sensitivity to rayon or dyes (if present) is possible but uncommon.
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.”
Dioxins (chlorine bleaching byproducts)
Modern tampon bleaching (including Kotex) predominantly uses oxygen-based methods that do not generate dioxins. No dioxin contamination has been detected in contemporary tampon testing or regulatory oversight.
Pesticide residues in cotton fiber
Kotex Security does not state whether cotton is organic or conventional. Conventional cotton may carry pesticide traces, but finished tampons are not tested routinely for residues. Risk is negligible given the limited mucosal contact area and absence of any reported cases.
Heavy metals in pigments or dyes
Tampons typically contain minimal pigmentation; Kotex Security packaging does not list dyes. No heavy metal contamination has been reported in this product category, and regulatory agencies do not require tampon testing for lead or cadmium.
Irritation or sensitivity to synthetic rayon or additives
Rayon is generally well-tolerated, but individual allergic or irritant reactions to rayon, finishes, or undisclosed additives occur rarely. The brand does not disclose all processing aids or coatings, limiting ability to rule out allergens.
Bacterial overgrowth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
TSS risk is tied to dwell time and absorbency, not material toxicity. All high-absorbency tampons (including Kotex Security) carry inherent TSS risk if left in place over 8 hours; proper usage discipline is the only mitigation.
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.