• Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from processed wood pulp that's prized for its high absorbency.
• The FDA permits tampons made from cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two, and most mainstream tampons use a rayon blend.
• Organic cotton tampons skip rayon entirely, offering an alternative for people who want fewer synthetic fibers in their period care.

Most people don't flip over a tampon box looking for an ingredient list, and even if they did, it wouldn't say much. Rayon is used in a high percentage of mainstream tampons, but it's rarely explained on packaging.

At Cora, we think understanding what your tampon is actually made of is an important part of choosing the right products for your body. Let’s walk through it.

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from purified wood pulp, processed into an absorbent cellulose fiber. It's not fully natural like cotton, and it's not fully synthetic like polyester.

That high absorbency is the main reason it's used. Rayon can absorb significantly more fluid per unit weight than cotton, which is appealing from a product design standpoint. The trade-off is that the manufacturing process involves chemical solvents and bleaching, which have raised concerns about contaminant residues, such as dioxins, over the years.

Both materials are FDA-cleared for use in tampons, but they perform differently:

• Rayon: Faster absorption, higher capacity, less natural
• Cotton: Effective absorption and moisture-wicking, fully plant-based, gentler processing
• Blends: Most conventional tampons combine the two to balance cost and performance

The FDA only clears tampons for sale if they're made primarily of cotton, rayon, or a blend of both, with other synthetic absorbent materials having been phased out following the TSS scare in the 1980s.

Organic cotton tampons (including ours at Cora) skip rayon entirely. Reasons people make that switch include avoiding synthetic processing residues, reducing pesticide exposure from non-organic cotton, and preferring fully natural fibers next to the skin.

None of these are universal must-haves, but for people who care about what's touching their body, the difference matters.

• Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from processed wood pulp and is widely used in tampons.
• The FDA permits tampons made from cotton, rayon, or a blend of both, and most mainstream tampons use a rayon-based formula.
• Organic cotton tampons skip rayon entirely, appealing to people who want to avoid synthetic processing residues or simply prefer fully natural fibers.

Sources:

The Facts on Tampons—and How to Use Them Safely | FDA

Tampon Safety | National Center for Health Research

What Are Organic Tampons and Are They Worth Buying? | Consumer Reports