Rael · Tampons
Rael Slim Applicator Tampons
Lower concern, standard tampon materials carry minimal PFAS risk, but no public verification.
Rael tampons use conventional viscose/rayon fibers without disclosed specialty coatings or water-resistant treatments that would typically introduce PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims and offers no third-party verification.
Shop Rael on Amazon →Material
viscose/rayon tampon with applicator (likely plastic or cardboard)
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
Rael Slim Applicator Tampons use viscose (regenerated cellulose) as the absorbent core, a plant-derived fiber that is chemically processed but does not inherently leach toxins into vaginal tissue. The applicator is most likely plastic (polypropylene or similar) or cardboard; neither poses acute chemical risk during single-use insertion. Viscose production does involve sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide solvents during manufacturing, but residual solvent levels in finished tampons are typically negligible and unregulated industry-wide.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rael (a direct-to-consumer feminine care brand launched circa 2017) has not published detailed material sourcing, chemical testing, or third-party certification statements on its website or in public disclosures. The brand does not appear on major certification databases (Cradle to Cradle, GOTS, or FDA pre-market review lists), though tampons are FDA-regulated as medical devices and do not require pre-market approval. No recalls, contamination incidents, or safety controversies are documented for this product line in public records.
How it compares in its category
Viscose tampons are standard across most mainstream and natural brands (Tampax, Kotex, Seventh Generation, etc.) and carry the same material-level safety profile. Rael's 'slim' design refers to applicator diameter, not chemical composition; this is a cosmetic variant without safety implications. Brands with explicit certifications (organic cotton, bleach-free, heavy metal testing) offer additional assurance, but viscose itself is not a known risk factor relative to cotton or synthetics.
If you buy it
Use as directed (insert fully, remove before 8 hours to prevent toxic shock syndrome risk, standard for all tampons). No special storage precautions are needed; keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent mold growth on cardboard applicators. If you experience irritation, itching, or unusual odor, discontinue and switch brands, as individual sensitivity varies and may reflect material, fragrance additives, or manufacturing residue. Consider requesting material transparency or third-party testing data from Rael if chemical assurance is a priority for you.
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.”
Solvent residues from viscose processing
Sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide are used to dissolve and regenerate cellulose during viscose manufacture, but finished tampon products are not tested or regulated for residual solvent levels. No documented cases of health harm from trace solvents in tampons have been reported in scientific literature.
Bleaching and dioxin formation
Rael does not disclose whether tampons are chlorine-bleached or hydrogen peroxide-bleached. Chlorine bleaching can theoretically produce trace dioxins, but absorption through vaginal mucosa during brief insertion is considered negligible by regulatory bodies; published testing on commercial tampons has not detected actionable dioxin levels.
Applicator plastic leaching
If the applicator is polypropylene, no phthalates or BPA are inherent to the material, but manufacturing quality control and additive use are not disclosed. Single-use insertion and brief vaginal contact makes plastic leaching risk very low compared to reusable containers.
Fragrance or additive sensitivities
Rael Slim Applicator line does not list added fragrance or antimicrobial coatings in publicly available product descriptions, reducing irritant risk. Individual allergic reactions to rayon or processing residues remain possible but are rare and brand-independent.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS risk is associated with prolonged tampon use and bacterial overgrowth, not material composition. Viscose does not increase TSS risk relative to cotton. Standard precautions (change every 4-8 hours, use lowest absorbency needed) apply equally to all tampon brands.
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.