U by Kotex · Tampons
U KOTEX Regular Tampons 32 Pack
Lower-concern choice; no known PFAS triggers, but brand makes no public commitment.
U by Kotex Regular Tampons use conventional absorbent fibers (rayon/cotton) and polypropylene, materials with no typical PFAS application. The brand does not publicly address PFAS, but the product design includes no water-resistant coatings, non-stick surfaces, or stain-guard treatments that would commonly trigger PFAS use.
Shop U by Kotex on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton core, polypropylene wrapper
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 Regular tampons use a rayon and cotton absorbent core wrapped in polypropylene, a thermoplastic with low toxicity at body temperature. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber commonly used in tampons because it absorbs quickly and degrades naturally; no heavy metals or flame retardants are routinely added to tampon cores. The polypropylene wrapper is inert in the vaginal environment and does not degrade or leach under normal use conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (owned by Kimberly-Clark) has not published detailed ingredient transparency or PFAS commitments specific to tampons, though the brand has faced historical scrutiny over fragrance and chlorine use in pads. U by Kotex repositioned itself as a value line with simpler formulations and no added fragrance or chlorine bleaching in most products. The company has not engaged in third-party certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, organic) for tampons, but no significant recalls or toxicity reports are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
U by Kotex Regular sits in the mainstream safety tier: rayon-cotton blends are standard across conventional brands and pose no elevated chemical risk compared to Tampax or Kotex Naturals. Organic tampon alternatives (Seventh Generation, Cora) offer certified pesticide-free cotton but cost significantly more; conventional tampons like this one are not known to accumulate pesticide residues in the vaginal tract. The polypropylene applicator is plastic-free inside the product, reducing microplastic concerns during insertion.
If you buy it
Change tampons every 4 to 8 hours to reduce bacterial overgrowth risk and TSS (toxic shock syndrome), a rare but serious condition linked to prolonged tampon use, not chemical content. Do not use during light flow days when insertion and removal friction is minimized; overwearing increases physical irritation. Store in a cool, dry place; polypropylene wrappers are stable at room temperature and do not require special conditions. If you experience persistent irritation, itching, or rash, switch to unscented, organic, or applicator-free options to isolate the cause.
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 from bleaching
U by Kotex tampons are not marketed as chlorine-bleached; rayon is often processed with chlorine in large-scale production, but residual dioxin levels in finished tampons are not publicly reported and regulatory limits are extremely low. No recalls or health reports link conventional tampon dioxin exposure to adverse outcomes.
Fragrance and fragrance allergens
U by Kotex Regular does not contain added fragrance; the product line was designed to eliminate this irritant. Unscented formulations eliminate the risk of contact dermatitis or sensitization from fragrance compounds.
Rayon/cotton pesticide residues
Conventional cotton and rayon sources may contain pesticide residues; this product is not certified organic. Residue levels in finished tampons are not publicly tested or disclosed, and no clinical data shows vaginal absorption of trace pesticides from tampons causes harm.
Polypropylene leaching
Polypropylene is chemically stable at body temperature (37 degrees Celsius) and does not leach BPA, phthalates, or other endocrine disruptors. Wrapper contact with vaginal tissue is brief during insertion and removal, minimizing any theoretical migration risk.
Bacterial growth and TSS
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare complication of prolonged tampon use (any brand) caused by overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus, not by chemicals in the tampon itself. Risk is reduced by changing tampons every 4 to 8 hours and using the lowest absorbency needed for flow.
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.