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What are TAMPAX Tampons made of?

What are TAMPAX Tampons made of?

We understand that you want to take good care of yourself. From the food you eat to the personal products you use, safety is a big factor. Here at TAMPAX, we couldn’t agree more and so not only do we continue to make products with materials that have been safely used for years, we also continuously test our products and materials to ensure this ongoing safety.

TAMPAX products offer a unique combination of materials that give you trusted anti-leak protection and comfort. As you can see from the below image, TAMPAX products are composed of three main elements; the absorbent core, the applicator for easy insertion, and a thread and string combination for removal.

Extensive safety assessments are made to make sure that the millions of women who use our products each day, can do so with confidence. These assessments are reviewed by independent experts including physicians, scientists and health authorities whose job is to oversee tampon safety. Our tampons are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, which means that all the materials used have had confirmatory testing for harmful substances. Click here for more information on OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.

Check out the below chart to understand what components and materials are included in our tampons, and why. Slide the images to discover each franchise composition.

OverwrapDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.Absorbent coreDid you know?
Rayon is often called viscose, a material used in different items such as tea bags & everyday garments. The cotton is sustainably sourced from the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company and is certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.ApplicatorDid you know?
Our plastic applicators are made of recyclable material (PE/PP).
Colour used in the applicators are safe, non-sensitizing pigments commonly used in a wide range of products including food packaging and make-up.ThreadDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.CordDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.

OverwrapDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.Absorbent coreDid you know?
Rayon is often called viscose, a material used in different items such as tea bags & everyday garments. The cotton is sustainably sourced from the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company and is certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.ApplicatorDid you know?
Our plastic applicators are made of PE.
Colour used in the applicators are safe, non-sensitizing pigments commonly used in a wide range of products including food packaging and make-up.ThreadDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.CordDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.

OverwrapDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.Absorbent coreDid you know?
Rayon is often called viscose, a material used in different items such as tea bags & everyday garments. The cotton is sustainably sourced from the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company and is certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.ApplicatorDid you know?
Our cardboard applicators are made of tightly wound paper.ThreadDid you know?
The cotton is sustainably sourced from the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company and is certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.CordDid you know?
Synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – like those used in athletic wear - with a safe use history in a variety of consumer and personal care products.

Do you want to know more about the specific composition of your TAMPAX tampon?

TAMPAX Tampons	COMPOSITION
TAMPAX Cardboard Regular/Super/Super Plus	rayon, polyester and cotton.
TAMPAX Compak Lites/Regular/Super/Super Plus	rayon, polyester and cotton.
TAMPAX Pearl Regular/Super	rayon, cotton, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester.
TAMPAX Pearl Super Plus	rayon, polypropylene, cotton, polyethylene and polyester.
TAMPAX Pearl Compak Regular/Super	rayon, cotton, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester.
TAMPAX Pearl Compak Super Plus	rayon, polypropylene, cotton, polyethylene and polyester.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

Are Our Tampon Components Safe?

Yes, our tampons are safe and are used safely by millions of women, every day. Our safety assessments and components are continuously reviewed by independent experts, including physicians, university scientists, and health authorities whose job is to oversee tampon safety and they have confirmed that our tampons are safe to use. Over 10,000 tests on our tampons and their components are carried out by independent laboratories every year, and over 1,000 tests on quality are carried out on tampon materials before being used in manufacturing. Our tampons are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, which means that all the materials used have had confirmatory testing for harmful substances. Click here for more information on OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TAMPONS COMPOSITION

Questions About TAMPAX Components

Because we care as much about what goes in to a tampon as you do.

What does the applicator do and what is it made of?

The applicator helps you comfortably insert the tampon. Our plastic applicators are made of recyclable material (PE/PP) and our cardboard applicators are made of tightly wound paper that can also be recycled. The colour used in the applicators consists of safe, non-sensitizing pigments commonly used in a wide range of products including food packaging and make-up.

What does the absorbent core do and what is it made of?

The absorbent core provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid. It’s made from rayon and cotton. Rayon is often called regenerated viscose, a material used in different items such as tea bags & everyday garments. The cotton is sustainably sourced from the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company and is certified by OEKO TEX® STANDARD 100.

What does the fabric around the absorbent core do and what is it made of?

The thin fabric around the absorbent core helps with the smooth removal of the tampon. It is made from synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene, which are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – similar to those safely used in athletic wear.

What does the cord do and what is it made of?

The string is used to remove the tampon and is made from cotton and/or synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene, which are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – similar to those safely used in athletic wear.

What does the thread do and what is it made of?

The thread is used to attach the string to the absorbent core and is made from cotton or synthetic fibers like polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene, which are often used as soft and high-performance fibers – similar to those safely used in athletic wear.

What does the fragrance in the scented products do and what is it made of?

Only TAMPAX products that are labelled as ‘scented’ contain fragrance ingredients. The fragrance used in our scented tampons meets the strict safety STANDARDs set by the International Fragrance Association, the world’s leading authority on fragrance safety. For the full list of components click here.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FRAGRANCES IN TAMPONS

We want to offer products that suit your everyday needs and we recognise that you need information, in order to choose the product that is right for you.

Are Scented Tampons Ingredients Safe? Won’t They Be Irritating And Make Me Itch Down There?

Your safety is at the centre of everything we do, so like our unscented tampons, our scented tampons are completely safe for use. We make sure the materials that are used in our tampons, including the fragrance in our scented products, are not irritating and do not cause itching. As a default requirement, the fragrance used in our tampons meets the strict safety STANDARDs set by the International Fragrance Association, the world’s leading authority on fragrance safety. We recommend our unscented tampons for those who prefer fragrance-free products or who may be sensitive to fragrances.

Will Your Tampons cause Irritation Or Allergies?

All our products go through a rigorous skin safety evaluation to make sure they can be used safely. The fragrances used in our tampons meet the strict safety STANDARDs set by the International Fragrance Association, the world’s leading authority on fragrance safety. Our products are clearly labelled for those who prefer to choose unscented tampons.

GENERAL TAMPON COMPONENTS QUESTIONS

Because if it’s important to you, it is important to us

Why Aren’t Your Tampons Made Of 100% Cotton?

All TAMPAX products meet rigorous safety and effectiveness STANDARDs, regardless of what they are made from. Our tampons are designed to provide an optimal level of protection and comfort. Using both cotton and rayon helps us deliver tampons that meet all these needs. TAMPAX has been offering cotton, rayon, or blended cotton and rayon products since we were founded in 1936.

Do Your Plastic Applicators Have BPA (Bisphenol A)?

No, they do not. TAMPAX plastic applicators are made with a plastic that does not use BPA.

Are TAMPAX Tampons Made Of ‘Superabsorbent’ Material?

No, our tampons do not contain any "superabsorbent" material.

Do TAMPAX Tampons Use Chlorine Bleaching?

No, the absorbent fibers used in TAMPAX are made with a bleaching process that is free from elemental chlorine.

Why Is Any Bleaching Done On TAMPAX Materials?

Bleaching is the technical term for fiber cleaning and purification. Purification of cotton and rayon is done to eliminate the impurities and clean the fibers. Whitening of the fibers is a result of this process, but not its goal.

I’ve Heard Talk That Tampons Contain Toxic Amounts Of Dioxin. Is This True?

No, the cotton and rayon purification involves an elemental chlorine-free process which does not create dioxin. The FDA has addressed this topic on their website. Please visit their tampon information at this website.

The absorbent fibers used in tampons sold today are made with a bleaching process that is free from elemental chlorine, which also prevents products from having dangerous levels of dioxin (a type of pollutant found in the environment).

Is There Asbestos In TAMPAX Tampons?

No, TAMPAX has never contained asbestos. For additional information, please visit this website.

What Does The FDA Have To Say About Dioxin, Asbestos, Rayon, And TSS Concerns?

The FDA has addressed these topics on their website. Please visit their tampon information at this website.

The absorbent fibers used in tampons sold today are made with a bleaching process that is free from elemental chlorine, which also prevents products from having dangerous levels of dioxin (a type of pollutant found in the environment).

Do You Have Pesticides Or Herbicides In Your Tampons Such As Glyphosate?

No, our cotton supplier confirms that our fiber does not have glyphosate. Additionally, our suppliers use scouring and purification processes that would destroy (or remove) residual pesticides/herbicides if present.

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