Kotex Natural · Period Pads
U by Kotex Security Maxi Feminine Pads
Lower PFAS concern for absorbent pad base, but brand transparency on any coatings is absent.
U by Kotex Security Maxi pads use standard absorbent materials (cellulose, cotton, PE) without obvious waterproofing chemistry that typically requires PFAS. However, Kotex provides no public disclosure about coating treatments, adhesives, or SAP sourcing, leaving questions unresolved.
Shop Kotex Natural on Amazon →Material
Cellulose, cotton, polyethylene; no waterproofing or water-repellent coating treatment disclosed
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
U by Kotex Security Maxi uses cellulose, cotton, and polyethylene as core materials. Cellulose and cotton are absorbent plant fibers with minimal leaching risk under normal use; polyethylene (plastic) backing is inert in the vaginal environment at body temperature and poses no known leaching hazard in this context. The absence of disclosed waterproofing or water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments suggests no PFOA/PFOS fluorinated coatings are present, which is a material advantage over some competitors.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) has not published detailed ingredient disclosures or third-party certifications (e.g., Leaping Bunny, Made Safe, Cradle to Cradle) for this product line. The brand has faced no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to chemical contamination in period pads. However, silence on PFAS testing and ingredient transparency is the norm across mainstream pad manufacturers, not a distinguishing risk factor.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional pads (Tampax, Playtex, Kotex variants) use similar cellulose-polyethylene constructs without waterproofing treatments. U by Kotex Security Maxi occupies the mainstream safety tier: lower chemical risk than pads with disclosed synthetic fragrances or chlorine bleaching, but offering no above-average transparency or organic certification that some specialty brands (Seventh Generation, Cora, Rael) provide. It is not positioned as premium-safety or chemical-conscious.
If you buy it
Use as directed (replace every 4-8 hours to prevent bacterial overgrowth and odor; improper wear duration is a hygiene risk, not a chemical one). Store in a dry, room-temperature environment away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent polyethylene degradation, though this is not an acute concern for typical bathroom storage. No special precautions are needed beyond normal pad hygiene. Discontinue use if signs of skin irritation appear (rare with this material class).
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.”
Fragrance allergens and irritants
U by Kotex Security Maxi is marketed as fragrance-free or lightly scented depending on variant; no reported fragrance-related contact dermatitis cases are on record for this specific product. Fragrance is a known irritant risk in scented pads, but this product avoids that hazard.
Chlorine bleaching and dioxin residues
No public disclosure of bleaching methods or dioxin testing results from Kotex; mainstream manufacturers typically use elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) processes. Dioxin residues in period pads are not a documented issue in peer-reviewed literature.
Microplastics shedding from polyethylene backing
Polyethylene backing may shed microparticles if worn, damaged, or washed. Shedding into vaginal tissue is theoretically possible but has no documented clinical evidence of harm. This is a plausible environmental and internal exposure pathway, not a confirmed hazard for this product.
Bacterial overgrowth and TSS risk (use-related, not chemical)
Extended wear and moisture retention increase risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome and bacterial infection; this is inherent to all absorbent pads and not specific to Kotex. Risk is managed by product replacement frequency, not material chemistry.
Formaldehyde releasers in adhesives or binders
No formaldehyde-releasing compounds have been identified in publicly available information about U by Kotex Security Maxi. Adhesives in period pads rarely use formaldehyde-based resins; this hazard is not documented in the mainstream pad category.
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 Period Pads
Organyc
Corman Organyc Certified Organic Cotton Feminine Pads
Certified organic cotton, no synthetic coatings disclosed
Lower-concern choice; organic cotton without disclosed coatings reduces PFAS risk, though brand offers no explicit assurance.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Organyc
Feminine Pads
Organic cotton, cellulose
Lower-concern choice; organic cotton base + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Organyc
The Honey Pot Company Organic Herbal Regular Pads
organic cotton, cellulose core
Lower-concern period product; organic cotton pads unlikely to contain PFAS, though brand remains silent on testing.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.