U by Kotex · Tampons
U By Kotex Tampons 16 Pack
Lower PFAS concern, no known waterproofing/coatings typical of PFAS-risk products, but brand discloses nothing.
U by Kotex tampons use standard absorbent textile fibers without reported water-resistant or non-stick treatments that would typically require PFAS. The brand makes no public PFAS disclosures or holds relevant certifications.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton core, polyethylene 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
U by Kotex tampons use a rayon and cotton absorbent core inside a polyethylene plastic applicator. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber, chemically processed from wood pulp; cotton is a natural fiber. Neither material is known to leach toxic compounds under normal vaginal use, and both are widely used across the tampon industry. The polyethylene applicator is inert plastic with no known off-gassing risk at body temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient lists, manufacturing standards, or testing for contaminants like heavy metals or dioxins. The brand has faced no major recalls or safety controversies tied to this product line. Independent testing by organizations like Women's Voices for the Earth has documented dioxin residues in some tampon brands, but U by Kotex has not been the focus of public health alerts, though the brand's silence on dioxin testing is a transparency gap shared across the industry.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex sits in the mainstream, mass-market segment. It uses rayon-cotton blends typical of most conventional tampons; specialty brands like Cora or Seventh Generation market organic cotton or chlorine-free alternatives, while U by Kotex does not emphasize source purity or processing transparency. Price and availability are competitive advantages. The plastic applicator is standard; cardboard applicator options from brands like Tampax or Lola offer a slightly lower plastic footprint but identical absorbency and safety profiles.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place; moisture exposure can degrade the absorbency and create a low risk of bacterial growth before use. Use the lowest absorbency grade needed for your flow (follow the package guidance); leaving a tampon in for longer than 8 hours increases toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, a serious but rare condition. Replace the product immediately if the applicator is cracked or wet. No special care is required beyond standard menstrual hygiene practices.
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.”
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (residues from bleaching)
Rayon production involves pulping and bleaching that may leave trace dioxin residues. U by Kotex does not publicly disclose whether its rayon is elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) processed. No specific testing or recall has been published for this brand, but the lack of transparency is notable.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but serious infection risk associated with any high-absorbency tampon used for extended periods (>8 hours). This is a product-use hazard, not a manufacturing one, but all tampons including U by Kotex carry this risk if misused. Risk is minimized by following insertion/removal guidelines and absorbency selection.
Bacterial contamination during storage or transport
Sealed packaging protects the product; no known contamination issues have been reported for this brand. Risk emerges only if packaging is opened, damaged, or stored in damp conditions before use.
Polyethylene applicator fragmentation or leaching
Polyethylene is chemically inert at body temperature and does not leach BPA, phthalates, or other endocrine disruptors under normal vaginal exposure. No fragmenting or degradation has been documented for this product.
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in absorbent fibers
Rayon and cotton can accumulate trace heavy metals from soil or processing water. U by Kotex provides no third-party testing or certification (such as GOTS for organic cotton) to rule out elevated levels. No recalls or published contamination have been reported, but brand silence on metal testing is a gap.
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.