Is It Safe to Wear Panty Liners Every Day?
A panty liner can be the answer to a woman’s prayers if she’s lightly menstruating, struggling with discharge, or having issues with incontinence. But is it safe to wear them every day? Unfortunately, the well-intentioned women who do so — even just to be on the “safe” side — might be doing their bodies more harm than good.
First of all, experts say panty liners can irritate the sensitive skin of the vulva — the external part of a woman’s genitalia. This is especially true if the panty liners are scented. Much like pads, liners can create a moist environment and hold irritants, such as perfumes, on this delicate skin if it’s sitting there all day, every day. In short? It creates the perfect storm for introducing a nasty rash, redness, itchiness, and pain to one of your most vulnerable areas.
Can panty liners cause infection?
Wearing panty liners every day might also increase your chances of getting a vaginal yeast infection — an unpleasant fungal infection that leads to burning, itching, and thick discharge — especially if you’ve had one before. Health experts encourage women to only wear panty liners while menstruating, and to chane panty liners (and other feminine products) often to avoid a future yeast infection. If you’re thinking that couldn’t possibly go a day without panty liners, because your discharge is so heavy, you may already have an infection, so talk to your doctor right away.
That being said, you don’t need to throw out all of your panty liners. These feminine products are usually only potentially harmful when used excessively or for extensive periods of time, so moderation is key (as with most things in life!). To use panty liners safely, remember that experts recommend changing them whenever they start to feel moist. Another good rule of thumb is that panty liners shouldn’t be worn for longer than a day. Experts also suggest switching them at nighttime if you plan on sleeping in one.
What are the best panty liners to wear?
If you’ve been wearing panty liners excessively, but are concerned about the health of your lady parts, we have the optimal solution for you: organic cotton panty liners. Organic panty liners are safer, less harmful versions of the standard supermarket brands you’ve been using. We’ve rounded up a list of 11 of the best natural, organic, non-chemical, non-toxic panty liners to suit every need. Some are even reusable — just be sure to wash them after every use!
1. Best Ultra Thin Organic Cotton Panty Liners
NatraCure Ultra-Thin Cotton Panty Liners
Where to buy: $4.04, Vitacost
Natracare has a fantastic array of organic cotton panty liners that are totally chlorine free (TCF), and made without plastics, perfumes, or dyes. The ultra-thin version is an extra slim, barely-there, liner for daily protection and freshness, but they also come in tanga style ($2.87, Vitacost), curved ($2.92, Vitacost), and mini ($2.74, Vitacost).They’re breathable, biodegradable, and compostable, so you won’t be adding to the massive problem that disposable sanitary products are causing to the environment. Even the packaging is made from recycled cardboard!
2. Best Organic Panty Liners
Maxim Classic Contour Panty Liners
Where to buy: $7.55, Amazon
Maxim has made a super comfy panty liner that’s fully breathable and acts like a ventilation system to soothe any irritation and prevent a warm and damp environment, which is known to cause infection. They’re still leak-proof, however, so you can wear them on the lighter days of your period. Made from 100 percent certified organic chlorine-free cotton, they’re also cultivated without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals, which is great news for both you and the environment. They come in a recycled cardboard box of 30.
3. Best Hypoallergenic Panty Liners
Organyc Flat Panty Liners
Where to buy: $6.79, CVS
If you don’t like the idea of any synthetic materials touching your delicate parts — or any part of you, for that matter — then these Organyc flat panty liners are for you. Made from 100 percent organic cotton that’s been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, they’re chlorine-free and biodegradable. They are also hypoallergenic, super absorbent, and breathable.
4. Best Waterproof Panty Liner
The Honest Company Organic Cotton Liners
Where to buy: $5.95, The Honest Company
The Honest Company, famously founded by Jessica Alba, is known for its huge array of safe and effective daily consumable products, so it’s not surprising that they have an awesome panty liner that’s both good for you and the environment. These liners have a naturally soft and absorbent organic cotton top sheet, and the core provides premium absorbency, dryness, and pH compatibility. They’re hypoallergenic, ultra-thin, lightweight, and breathable, and they have a plant-based waterproof backing for leak protection.
5. Best Fragrance-Free Panty Liners
Where to buy: $12, Amazon
Founded in Southern California by three amazing women (a journalist and bestselling author, an international movie distributor at Walt Disney with a Harvard MBA, and an architect-turned-art director), Rael is a company created for women, by women, so you can trust that their panty liners are going to be of the best quality. Free from chlorine, toxins, fragrance, pesticides, and synthetic chemicals, these unscented panty liners are made from 100 percent certified organic cotton from Texas and are fully breathable and hypoallergenic. They come in a three-pack of 20.
6. Best Natural Panty Liners
Cora Ultra-Thin Organic Panty Liners
Where to buy: $8.99, Amazon
Cora’s natural pantyliners have everything you’d expect from a 100-percent certified organic pantyliner. These non-GMO picks are not only healthy and high-performing, with no fragrances, deodorants, dyes, chlorine bleach, pesticides, insecticides, or dioxin, they accommodate any type of underwear, from thong to full coverage, thanks to a unique easy-fold groove. What’s more, they’re biodegradable with soft wrappers that won’t make any noise in a public bathroom.
7. Best Reusable Panty Liner
GladRags Reusable Organic Panty Liner
Where to buy: $28.86, Vitacost
Reusable washable sanitary products are all the rage now, and quite rightly so, as they’re kind to both the planet and your pocket. These slim and absorbent panty liners by GladRags are made from a breathable cotton flannel that’s so comfortable, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. Simply snap one around your underwear for it to stay in place, and pop it into the washing machine when you’re done. They come in a handy pack of three.
8. Best Antibacterial Panty Liners
Genial Day Feminine Liners
Where to buy: $6.91, Amazon
Genial Day has created a line of sanitary products that are eco-certified, eco-friendly, pH-friendly, and non-irritating. In fact, the brand’s daily panty liners were developed to help alleviate common symptoms associated with PMS and vaginal infections. The secret lies in the “anion strip,” which provides natural protection against irritation and odor, and the inclusion of antibacterial silver ions and Tourmaline gemstones – a scientifically-recognized detoxifier.
9. Best Bamboo Panty Liners
Where to buy: Starting at $1.00, Dollar Maxi Pad Club
People are loving these super cheap and cheerful panty liners from Dollar Maxi Pad Club. They are ultra thin, super soft, and don’t chafe. They’re made from charcoal bamboo and have an anion strip that naturally blocks odor and kills bacteria. The charcoal, meanwhile, possesses a negative ionic charge to counteract toxins and pollutants in your body (which have a positive charge). When paired together, the charcoal begins to draw the toxins toward it to eliminate them from the body, naturally.
Happy customer, Hilary, writes, “GUYS. These are SO soft, but they also STICK! They’ve been awesome, I plan to only use these in the future.”
Annette, another satisfied user, gushes, “I like to use panty liners throughout the month and these are great. The charcoal keeps them odor-free and they are soft and comfortable.
