U by Kotex · Tampons
U by Kotex Click Compact Multipack Unscented Tampons, Regular/Super
Lower concern; tampons lack typical PFAS drivers, but brand makes no disclosure.
U by Kotex tampons are made from standard absorbent rayon and cotton materials that do not inherently require fluorinated coatings. Tampons are not treated with water-repellent or stain-resistant finishes that commonly contain PFAS.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/viscose core, cotton blend outer layer
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 (absorbent material derived from wood pulp) wrapped in a cotton-blend outer layer. Rayon is produced via chemical processing but is not known to concentrate heavy metals or persistent synthetic chemicals in the final fiber. The cotton blend adds durability and reduces lint shedding. Neither material is associated with off-gassing or leaching hazards during normal vaginal use at body temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or mitigation efforts for tampons, though the company has faced scrutiny in the menstrual product space regarding ingredient transparency. No major recalls or documented safety violations specific to this product line are on public record. The brand offers some certified organic alternatives under different labels but does not position the U by Kotex line as such.
How it compares in its category
Conventional rayon tampons like this one sit in the mainstream safety profile for the category. Organic cotton alternatives (like Seventh Generation or Cora) market higher disclosure and lower chemical processing, but rayon-based products are widely used and do not show elevated contamination rates compared to peers. U by Kotex's compact applicator design does not introduce additional material hazards versus standard plastic or cardboard applicators.
If you buy it
Change tampons every 4-8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome risk, regardless of absorbency rating. Store in a cool, dry place; humidity or heat does not materially degrade rayon or cotton fibers in ways that release harmful compounds. Discontinue use if irritation or unusual odor occurs. The 'unscented' formulation eliminates fragrance allergen exposure, which is a practical safety advantage over scented variants.
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
This product is explicitly unscented, eliminating the common irritant class found in fragranced menstrual products. No fragrance-related incidents reported for this variant.
Rayon fiber trace contaminants (heavy metals, residual sodium hydroxide)
Rayon production involves sodium hydroxide and acid baths; fiber is typically rinsed and purified but industry standards vary. No specific testing results for U by Kotex rayon are publicly available. Contamination rates, if present, are not documented in regulatory filings or independent analysis.
Dioxins from rayon bleaching
Elemental chlorine bleaching of viscose can theoretically produce trace dioxins, though modern processes favor chlorine dioxide or oxygen bleaching. No specific manufacturing data or testing results for U by Kotex are disclosed. Epidemiological evidence of risk from tampon use is not established.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk from prolonged use
TSS is a documented bacterial complication associated with high-absorbency tampons and extended wear, not a chemical hazard of the material itself. Risk is behavioral (user duration) rather than product-intrinsic, but rayon's high absorbency does not mitigate this concern versus other materials.
Applicator material safety (plastic)
U by Kotex Click uses a plastic applicator (type not specified in marketing materials). Plastics do not leach at body temperature during typical vaginal insertion use. No incidents reported for this applicator design.
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.