U by Kotex · Tampons
Kotex Security Super Unscented Tampons
Lower-concern period product; no known PFAS indicators, but Kotex has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing.
Kotex Security Super tampons use conventional rayon and cotton materials with no inherent PFAS risk profile like waterproof or non-stick treatments require. The brand has not claimed PFAS-free status or sought third-party verification.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton 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
This tampon uses a rayon and cotton absorbent core, which are cellulose-based materials with well-established safety profiles in menstrual products. The plastic applicator is typically polypropylene or polyethylene, inert during brief vaginal contact. Rayon is produced via chemical processing (viscose or lyocell methods) but finished fibers do not retain processing chemicals at levels known to cause vaginal or systemic harm. The unscented formulation avoids added fragrance allergens or masking agents.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) has not publicly released PFAS testing data or commitment statements for menstrual products, placing it in the silent-disclosure tier alongside most competitors in this category. The brand does not advertise organic or certified-chemical certifications for this line. No recalls or safety complaints specific to Security Super tampons are recorded in FDA or consumer databases. U by Kotex has faced criticism for lack of ingredient transparency relative to newer brands, but the Security line itself carries no established safety controversies.
How it compares in its category
Rayon/cotton blended tampons are industry standard and represent the mainstream option; this product sits at the category median for disclosed safety. Organic cotton or certified-clean alternatives (Cora, Rael, Seventh Generation) offer higher transparency but cost more and show no demonstrable health advantage for brief-use products. Tampons with plastic applicators are functionally equivalent to cardboard in safety terms; applicator material does not contact the absorbent core or mucous membranes significantly. Security Super is positioned as a budget-friendly choice within a segment where chemical hazard variation is minimal.
If you buy it
Change every 4 to 8 hours to prevent bacterial overgrowth and toxic shock syndrome risk, regardless of absorbency rating. Do not leave in place overnight. Dispose of applicators in trash, not sewers. Store in a cool, dry location to avoid moisture absorption or mold. If you experience unusual irritation, rash, or odor, switch brands; individual sensitivity to rayon or cotton processing residues is rare but possible.
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.”
Viscose processing residue (rayon core)
Rayon production uses sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide; finished fibers are rinsed but trace residues theoretically possible. No documented cases of vaginal irritation linked to residual rayon processing chemicals in commercial tampons. Regulatory standards for rayon purity in textiles (ISO 1833) do not specifically cover menstrual products, but manufacturing oversight in Kimberly-Clark facil
Polypropylene applicator leaching
Polypropylene is stable and non-reactive at body temperature during the brief exposure (minutes to hours). No published studies report migration of plasticizers or monomers from tampon applicators into vaginal tissue. Applicator does not contact the absorbent core or remain in the body after insertion, minimizing theoretical exposure window.
Fragrance or deodorant additives
This is the unscented variant, so no fragrance allergens or synthetic masking agents are intentionally added. Unscented formulations eliminate a known source of contact dermatitis and vulvovaginal irritation reported in scented tampon users.
Bleaching residues (rayon/cotton)
Both rayon and cotton fibers undergo bleaching during production; hydrogen peroxide or chlorine-based processes may leave trace residues. FDA and international standards (ISO 14184-1) set permissible limits for residual oxidizing agents, and Kimberly-Clark products typically comply. Risk of irritation is low but individual sensitivity to bleach residues is documented in a small subset of users wit
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is not a chemical hazard but a microbiological risk linked to prolonged tampon use (beyond 8 hours) and higher absorbency; it occurs across all brands and materials. Security Super's superabsorbency may paradoxically increase risk if it encourages extended wear intervals. User behavior (changeout frequency) is the primary control, not product chemistry.
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.