Kotex Natural · Tampons
U by Kotex Sleek Tampons
Lower PFAS concern; conventional tampon design without obvious fluorochemical triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
U by Kotex Sleek Tampons are standard tampons made from cotton/rayon with a plastic applicator, materials not inherently associated with PFAS use. Period-care products typically do not require water-repellent or grease-resistant coatings that drive PFAS use.
Shop Kotex Natural on Amazon →Material
cotton/rayon absorbent core, 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.
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 Sleek uses a cotton and rayon blend in the absorbent core, which is the industry standard for tampons and carries no documented leaching risk during normal use. The plastic applicator (type not specified by brand, likely polypropylene) is a single-use, non-heated contact surface, so applicator material does not pose leaching or off-gassing concerns typical of cookware or food storage. The string is typically cotton or cotton blend. This is a conventional tampon design with no unusual chemical exposure pathways.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex Natural does not publicly disclose ingredient lists, material sourcing, or chemical testing results on their website or product packaging beyond basic fiber composition. The brand has not achieved organic certification (which would require pesticide disclosure) and does not market as chemical-free. No recall history or safety violations are on record for this product line. The lack of transparency is typical for mainstream tampon brands but limits independent verification of contaminant levels.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex Sleek sits in the conventional mainstream tampon segment. Organic-certified alternatives (e.g., Seventh Generation, Cora, Aunt Leaf) offer pesticide-free cotton but cost 2-3x more. Non-applicator tampons eliminate plastic applicator waste. In terms of chemical risk, this product is indistinguishable from other major brands like Tampax or Kotex Original; no brand has documented superiority in contaminant testing. The 'Sleek' design is a form factor choice, not a safety differentiator.
If you buy it
Use as directed; tampons are single-use and should be changed every 4-8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome risk regardless of brand. Store in a cool, dry place; plastic applicators do not degrade from moisture or temperature in normal bathroom conditions. If irritation occurs, discontinue and consult a healthcare provider; menstrual product sensitivity is individual and not brand-specific. No special care is required; dispose of the applicator in trash, not the toilet, to reduce plastic pollution.
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.”
Pesticide residues in rayon/cotton fiber
Non-organic cotton and rayon can contain pesticide residues from cultivation and processing. Kotex Natural does not disclose pesticide testing or sourcing practices, so residue levels are unknown but typical for conventional tampon brands.
Dioxin and chlorine residues from bleaching
Rayon production and fiber bleaching historically involved dioxin-generating chlorine processes. Modern mills use closed-loop systems and elemental chlorine-free bleaching, but Kotex does not specify their supplier standards, so legacy-process risk cannot be ruled out.
Plastic applicator material identity and additives
The applicator type (polypropylene, polyethylene, or other plastic) is not disclosed by the brand. Conventional plastic applicators do not leach during single-use insertion, but composition opacity limits assessment of whether flame retardants or other additives are present.
Reproductive and vaginal irritant sensitivity
Tampons as a product category (including this brand) are associated with individual sensitivities to fragrance, dyes, or material texture; some users report irritation with Kotex products specifically, though no widespread safety signal is documented. Risk is user-dependent, not product-design specific.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is associated with prolonged tampon use and material type (absorbency level) across all brands. U by Kotex Sleek does not reduce this risk; it is a usage and change-frequency issue, not a chemical hazard unique to this 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.