U by Kotex · Tampons
U by Kotex Click Unscented Super Compact Tampons
Lower PFAS concern; standard tampon material unlikely to require PFAS treatments.
U by Kotex Click tampons are made from typical rayon and cotton fibers without disclosed coatings or water-resistance treatments that would necessitate PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton blend, unbleached
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 uses a rayon and cotton blend with an unbleached designation, meaning it has undergone fewer chemical bleaching stages than conventional tampons. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber typically produced via viscose or Lyocell processes; viscose rayon can retain trace sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid if rinsing is incomplete, though amounts in finished tampons are negligible. The unbleached cotton component further reduces exposure to chlorine-based oxidizing agents and their residues. This material pairing is standard across most modern tampon manufacturers and carries no specific chemical hazards beyond normal manufacturing tolerances.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) does not publish detailed material composition or third-party safety certifications specific to individual tampon lines. The brand has not faced major recalls or public health controversies tied to tampons in recent years. U by Kotex markets toward value-conscious consumers and emphasizes discretion and design rather than material transparency or organic certification. No independent laboratory audit of this exact product line is publicly available, so claims rest on standard industry manufacturing practices rather than brand-specific verification.
How it compares in its category
Unbleached rayon-cotton tampons occupy the middle ground between conventional bleached tampons (higher chemical processing) and certified organic 100% cotton tampons (premium pricing, third-party audits). U by Kotex Click is positioned as an affordable alternative to organic brands without the cost premium, but also without formal certifications like GOTS or Cradle to Cradle. The compact design reduces material volume and therefore cumulative exposure to any residual processing chemicals, a minor advantage over standard-size tampons.
If you buy it
Change tampons every 4-8 hours depending on flow to minimize bacterial overgrowth risk and reduce duration of any trace chemical contact with mucous membranes. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent microbial growth in the package before use. Discontinue use immediately if you experience unusual irritation, odor, or allergic symptoms and consult a healthcare provider. Because this product lacks independent certification, users concerned about chemical processing should consider requesting material data sheets from Kimberly-Clark or exploring certified organic alternatives if those concerns are a priority.
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.”
Residual viscose processing chemicals (sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid)
Viscose rayon production can leave trace caustic or acidic residues; finished tampons are rinsed and tested for pH compliance under FDA guidelines, and no recalls or adverse event patterns linked to U by Kotex tampons exist in public records.
Dioxin and chlorine residues from bleaching
Unbleached designation indicates bypass of chlorine bleaching, significantly reducing dioxin formation risk compared to conventional bleached tampons; this product formulation avoids this hazard class entirely.
Bacterial and mold contamination during storage or use
Any absorbent menstrual product carries general risk of microbial proliferation if exposed to moisture before insertion or if left in place beyond recommended duration; not specific to this brand but intrinsic to the product category and use context.
Allergens or irritants from fragrance additives
This product is explicitly unscented, eliminating exposure to fragrance chemicals (aldehydes, limonene, synthetic musks) that are common irritants in scented menstrual products; this is a protective feature.
Microfiber shedding from rayon blend
Rayon-cotton blend is bound and finished to minimize fiber breakage; no public data suggest U by Kotex tampons shed problematic quantities of microfibers, and this hazard is not documented as a safety concern for tampons in medical literature.
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
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Lola
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Cora
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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.