U by Kotex · Tampons
U by Kotex Security Tampons,
Lower-concern tampon; no known PFAS drivers, but brand offers no transparency.
U by Kotex Security Tampons use conventional rayon and cotton materials without documented Teflon-family coating coatings, water-repellent treatments, or stain-resistance finishes, the typical PFAS sources in period care. The brand makes no public PFAS claims or disclosures.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/viscose core, cotton outer layer, minimal synthetic components
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 Security uses a rayon (viscose) core with outer cotton layer and minimal synthetic components. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber produced via chemical processing but does not inherently bioaccumulate or persist in the body. The cotton outer layer reduces direct synthetic contact with vaginal tissue. No chemical additives (bleach, dyes, fragrances) are listed on product labeling, which is the safest configuration for this category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (Kimberly-Clark subsidiary) does not publicly disclose pesticide residues, processing chemicals, or PFAS testing for tampons despite parent-company sustainability commitments. The brand offers no third-party certifications (organic, GOTS, chlorine-free). Industry-wide, Kotex has faced no recalls or formal safety actions specific to this product line. Transparency on menstrual product manufacturing remains minimal across all major brands.
How it compares in its category
Security positioned as standard absorbency without the fragrance, chlorine-bleaching, or rayon-heavy construction of budget alternatives. Certified organic or elemental-chlorine-free tampon competitors (Cora, Seventh Generation, Lola) offer greater material transparency. Kotex Security sits in the middle: safer than heavily fragranced products, but less documented than brands with organic certification and published testing data.
If you buy it
Change tampons every 4-8 hours to reduce bacterial growth and TSS risk, regardless of absorbency. Store in a dry location to prevent mold. Discontinue use if irritation, unusual discharge, or odor develops. Monitor for signs of toxic shock syndrome (sudden fever, rash, dizziness) and seek medical care immediately if symptoms appear. No special care required during use beyond standard hygiene.
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.”
Pesticide residues in cotton
Outer cotton layer source and pesticide testing are not disclosed; conventional cotton may carry residual pesticides, though direct vaginal absorption during short 4-8 hour use is low-risk.
Residual processing chemicals in rayon
Rayon production involves sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide; traces may remain in finished fiber, but no reproductive or toxicological evidence links viscose tampons to harm at typical exposure levels.
Chlorine bleaching byproducts (dioxins)
Product labeling does not confirm elemental chlorine-free or oxygen-bleached processing; modern tampon manufacturing typically uses safer bleaching but Kotex does not publish this specification.
Fragrance allergens
Security line is unscented, eliminating synthetic fragrance or natural essential oil contact; no allergen risk from this formulation.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
All tampons carry documented TSS risk if left in longer than 8 hours; no material difference between brands. Risk is behavioral (duration of use) not chemical.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.