U by Kotex
U by Kotex is a 100+ year-old feminine care sub-brand of Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) that sells pads, tampons, and panty liners—unified by Gravity Core technology—through major US and Canadian retailers and Amazon, serving women across all flow levels and life stages.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersIrving, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What U by Kotex does
U by Kotex is a feminine care consumer brand and a sub-brand of Kotex, itself a 100+ year-old brand established in 1920 and wholly owned by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: KMB), a publicly traded global consumer goods conglomerate headquartered in Irving, Texas. The brand sells menstrual pads, tampons, and panty liners organized into themed collections—Ultra Thin, Bamboo (hypoallergenic, bamboo-based), BioCare (with a pH Proactive System targeting odor and irritants), Teen, Night Defense (overnight), and Click (compact tampons)—all unified on a proprietary Gravity Core technology platform that delivers absorption in a slim form factor. The BioCare line additionally incorporates a pH Proactive System designed to help defend against odor and irritants.
U by Kotex serves women and menstruating individuals across all flow intensities (light, regular, heavy, overnight, extra-heavy overnight) and life stages, with a dedicated Teen collection targeting first-time users. The go-to-market model is a hybrid direct-to-consumer approach: products are distributed through major US and Canadian retail chains (Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens) and Amazon, supported by owned digital channels including an Instagram presence (@ubykotex), an email newsletter, and a content/educational hub with a product quiz and period calculator. Revenue is generated through hardware/CPG sales of branded feminine care products at retail price points not publicly disclosed.
Brand operations are embedded within Kimberly-Clark, and the headcount figure (11-50) reflects brand-level personnel rather than the full manufacturing, supply chain, and corporate functions handled by the parent. Kimberly-Clark's scale provides manufacturing, R&D, and distribution advantages that an independent brand could not replicate. The brand's social mission—75 million period care products donated to combat period poverty—functions as both a differentiator and a marketing asset. There is no evidence of independent AI/ML capabilities; technology differentiation is concentrated in materials science and product formulation rather than data or software.
U by Kotex firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U by Kotex
- Legal name
- Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
- Website
- https://ubykotex.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- U by Kotex is a 100+ year-old feminine care sub-brand of Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) that sells pads, tampons, and panty liners—unified by Gravity Core technology—through major US and Canadian retailers and Amazon, serving women across all flow levels and life stages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U by Kotex industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- NAICS
- Health and Personal Care Retailers (4561)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads, Tampons, Liners) (CRADALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Menstrual Pads (Disposable) (CRABAIAA), Tampons (CRABAIAC)
Keywords
Where U by Kotex is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irving
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
U by Kotex business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Feminine Care Product Sales: U by Kotex generates revenue through the direct sale of feminine care consumer products — pads, tampons, and panty liners — via retail and e-commerce distribution channels.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
U by Kotex product offering
Product offeringCore offering
U by Kotex (Kotex) sells a portfolio of feminine care consumer products, including menstrual pads (Ultra Thin, Maxi, Bamboo, BioCare, Night Defense, and Teen lines), tampons (including Click compact tampons), and panty liners. The brand is supported by an educational content hub covering period basics, puberty, and product usage, plus interactive tools (a product quiz and a period calculator) that help consumers select products matched to their flow.
Product overview
U by Kotex (Kotex®) is a feminine care brand offering a comprehensive portfolio of menstrual products, including pads, tampons, and panty liners. The product lineup is organized into collections including the core Ultra Thin line, the bamboo-based collection, the BioCare™ line with pH Proactive™ System, the Teen collection for younger users, and the Night Defense® overnight pads—all powered by the Gravity™ Core technology platform. The brand also provides educational resources covering period basics, puberty, menstrual health, and period stigma, alongside consumer tools like a Product Quiz and Period Calculator to help users select appropriate products for their flow.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kotex Bamboo: Hypoallergenic and silky soft pads with Gravity Core for powerful protection.
- Kotex BioCare
- Kotex Night Defense
- Kotex Teen
- Kotex Ultra Thin
- Kotex Click
Quantifiable outcome
- 75 million period care products donated to women in need
Companies that use U by Kotex
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
U by Kotex technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
U by Kotex partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
U by Kotex competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Always (Procter & Gamble): P&G's flagship feminine pad brand and the #1 competitor to U by Kotex in US mass retail. Competes head-to-head across ultra-thin, maxi, and overnight pads with similar shelf positioning at Walmart, Target, and drug chains.
- Tampax (Procter & Gamble): P&G's leading tampon brand and direct competitor to Kotex Click® and core tampon lines. Operates within the same channels, with similar proprietary technology investments and consumer marketing programs.
- Playtex (Edgewell Personal Care): Edgewell-owned tampon and feminine care brand competing with U by Kotex's tampon portfolio, particularly Click® Sport-style tampons with comparable applicator and protection claims.
- Carefree (Edgewell Personal Care): Edgewell's panty liner brand, directly competing with Kotex panty liners across the same mass retail channels.
- OB (Johnson & Johnson): J&J's tampon brand (now under Kenvue) with strong tampon presence, including the unique digital tampon format that historically differentiated it from applicator-based competitors like Kotex Click®.
Emerging players
- Rael: D2C feminine care brand offering organic pads, tampons, and period care with strong Gen Z positioning. Competes with Kotex Bamboo and BioCare™ in the natural/clean ingredient segment.
- Lola: Subscription-based D2C feminine care brand competing for premium and organic-conscious shoppers. The acquisition by Wells Enterprises (later sold) illustrates the consolidation pressure on emerging natural-segment brands adjacent to Kotex.
- Cora: B-Corp-certified feminine care brand with pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. Competes directly with Kotex Bamboo line for organic, sustainable-conscious consumers and has period poverty donation programs similar to U by Kotex.
- The Honey Pot Company: Plant-derived feminine care brand sold in Target and other mass retailers, directly challenging Kotex's ingredient transparency positioning and creating pressure within the natural feminine care shelf set.
Broad incumbents
- Edgewell Personal Care: Diversified personal care company with Playtex, Carefree, and o.b. brands across feminine care. Same channel access and consumer demographics as U by Kotex, but broader portfolio competing for shelf space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
U by Kotex social profiles
Digital presenceU by Kotex financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U by Kotex leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
U by Kotex funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
U by Kotex M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about U by Kotex
What does U by Kotex do?
U by Kotex (Kotex) sells a portfolio of feminine care consumer products, including menstrual pads (Ultra Thin, Maxi, Bamboo, BioCare, Night Defense, and Teen lines), tampons (including Click compact tampons), and panty liners. The brand is supported by an educational content hub covering period basics, puberty, and product usage, plus interactive tools (a product quiz and a period calculator) that help consumers select products matched to their flow.
Is U by Kotex a public or private company?
U by Kotex is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was U by Kotex founded?
U by Kotex was founded in 1920. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is U by Kotex based?
U by Kotex is headquartered in Irving, United States, in the North America region.
How does U by Kotex make money?
One revenue line is on record: feminine Care Product Sales.
Who are U by Kotex's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Always (Procter & Gamble), Tampax (Procter & Gamble), Playtex (Edgewell Personal Care), Carefree (Edgewell Personal Care) and OB (Johnson & Johnson). Emerging players are Rael, Lola, Cora and The Honey Pot Company. Edgewell Personal Care is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does U by Kotex have an API?
No public API is recorded for U by Kotex.
What industry is U by Kotex in?
U by Kotex's product category is Feminine Hygiene Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADALAG, Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads, Tampons, Liners), with a secondary code of CRABAIAA, Menstrual Pads (Disposable). Its NAICS code is 4561 and its SIC code is 2844.