Kotex · Tampons
U by Kotex Click Compact Unscented Tampons
Lower concern; typical tampon materials are not known PFAS vehicles, but brand discloses nothing.
U by Kotex tampons use standard rayon and cotton materials with no documented PFAS risk profile in the period-care category. The brand makes no public PFAS claims or disclosures. No independent lab data or third-party verification is publicly available for this product line.
Shop Kotex on Amazon →Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton 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.
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 Click tampons use a rayon/viscose core (common in most commercial tampons for absorbency), a cotton cover, and a plastic applicator. Rayon and cotton do not leach toxic metals or endocrine disruptors under normal use conditions. The plastic applicator is typically polypropylene or similar thermoplastic, which does not degrade or leach during brief insertion and contact with body fluids at normal temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark) has not published ingredient transparency reports or third-party certifications (e.g., organic, chlorine-free, or heavy-metal testing) for this product line. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or avoidance. No product recalls or regulatory violations specific to U by Kotex tampons are on record. Absence of disclosure is typical for conventional tampon manufacturers but limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex Click sits in the mainstream, non-premium segment. It lacks certifications held by organic (GOTS) or chlorine-free brands, which some consumers prioritize. Material composition (rayon core, plastic applicator) is identical to most mass-market brands. Unscented formulation avoids fragrance additives that can trigger irritation in sensitive users, a practical advantage over scented variants.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct heat; plastic applicators do not require special handling. Replace the product every 4-8 hours depending on flow to reduce toxic shock syndrome risk, regardless of brand. If you experience irritation, itching, or allergic reaction, switch to a hypoallergenic or organic brand to rule out cotton pesticides or processing residues. No maintenance or reuse applies to disposable tampons.
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.”
Chlorine residues (dioxins) from bleaching
Rayon and cotton tampons may be bleached with chlorine compounds; conventional manufacturers (including Kotex) do not disclose bleaching methods. Dioxin residues, if present, occur in trace amounts not associated with acute toxicity in published literature, but organic/chlorine-free brands offer elimination of this uncertainty.
Pesticide residues in conventional cotton
Cotton cover is not certified organic; residues of synthetic pesticides used in conventional cotton farming may persist. Exposure during vaginal insertion is minimal and diluted by mucous membranes, but individuals with chemical sensitivities or those seeking precaution may prefer organic-certified alternatives.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Unscented U by Kotex Click is not marketed with antimicrobial or preservative additives typical of scented products. No evidence of formaldehyde releasers in this specific product formulation exists in public records.
Plastic applicator off-gassing or leaching
Polypropylene applicators do not release BPA, phthalates, or volatile organic compounds under normal vaginal conditions (brief contact, body temperature). Applicator materials are inert and non-absorbent.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection associated with all tampon use, not specific to Kotex or material type. Risk is minimized by changing tampons every 4-8 hours and alternating with pads. This is a product-category hazard, not a manufacturing defect.
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.