Can Panty Liners Cause Irritation?

Yes, panty liners can cause irritation! If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable or irritated down there after wearing a liner for vaginal discharge or light periods, you’re not alone. Panty liners can contain synthetic materials, fragrances, and adhesives that can disrupt your delicate skin in and around the vulva, leading to irritation, itching, swelling and discomfort.

As you'll know if you read our blog regularly, our content ideas come from many sources. Sometimes it's comments on our social media posts. Sometimes it's an email we receive. But quite often it will be a Trustpilot Review such as this one:

'What a life change since finding Cheeky. It feels so wonderful to just put on nice looking pants and feel normal again! No more irritating pads moving or sticking where you don't want them or causing irritation. Great quality but, would love to see more colour choices' Trustpilot Review

Many conventional panty liners are made with plastic layers and synthetic fibres. That makes them extra absorbent, but these materials don’t allow your skin to breathe when wearing a sanitary pad of any sort.

Instead, they create a warm, moist environment where irritation and bacteria can thrive causing infections like bacterial vaginosis (bv). Additionally, some liners use adhesives that may stick too well, pulling sensitive skin when removed, which can contribute to redness and discomfort. Inadvertent bikini line wax anyone? We have ALL been there.

Fragrances are another common culprit in panty liners. Artificial fragrances are added to mask odours, but for people with sensitive skin, these chemicals can lead to itching and dryness. Plus, your vagina shouldn't smell bad if cleaned regularly with just water! You can read our post on how to clean your vulva and vagina for tips.

And let’s not forget the bleaching agents used to whiten some liners, which can introduce additional irritants. Chlorine-bleached liners may contain dioxins, which, even in small amounts, can disrupt the natural pH balance of the vulva, so skin irritation is more likely. Ouch.

Common signs of irritation from panty liners include redness, itching, dryness, and sometimes a burning sensation. Those with sensitive skin, or conditions like eczema or contact dermatitis, may be more prone to these allergic reactions, as their skin is more susceptible to any added chemicals and synthetic materials.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—there are ways to keep things comfortable!

How to Prevent Panty Liner Irritation

Avoiding irritation from panty liners is all about making a few easy swaps and adjustments. Here’s how to prevent panty liner irritation:

1. Switch to Cloth Panty Liners

One of the best ways to avoid irritation is by switching to cloth panty liners. Cloth liners, like our Cheeky cloth panty liners, are made from soft, breathable fabrics like 100% organic cotton and bamboo, which allow airflow and reduce the chance of irritation. They feel just like wearing cotton underwear. Cloth liners don’t contain any synthetic materials or artificial fragrances, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin.

To get the most out of cloth liners, change them as needed and wash them with gentle, fragrance-free detergents to keep them fresh and ready to use.

2. Or Look for Natural Materials

Look for organic cotton pads and panty liners such as those from Natracare. These types of pads contain fewer plastics and chemicals which is good news for your sensitive vulva skin.

3. Wear Breathable Underwear

Breathable underwear can make a big difference in preventing irritation and yeast infections. Look for natural fabrics like cotton, which allow moisture to escape instead of trapping it against your skin. Pairing cloth liners with breathable underwear is a winning combination for keeping things fresh and comfortable all day.

4. Avoid Very Tight Bottoms

Wearing tight jeans or leggings can trap heat and moisture, especially if you’re also wearing a liner. This environment can increase the risk of irritation, so try to stick with looser-fitting bottoms whenever possible. If you can’t resist a snug pair of jeans, aim to take breaks with looser clothing throughout the day.

A wise investment in our planet and your own comfort

"Responsive, caring and honest. That's the team!
I bought some reusable incontinence pads as I've used reusable nappies and period pads for many years and I wanted to continue this ethos. I was not disappointed with my cheeky purchase. I took the team's advice on the size and the fit is excellent. Using reusable pants means I have less irritation as well." Trustpilot Review

5. Change Products More Regularly

Changing your liner every few hours helps to prevent moisture buildup, which is especially important if you’re prone to irritation. Even the most breathable products can feel uncomfortable if worn for too long, so stay mindful of how often you’re swapping them out.

6. Use Fragrance-Free Products

If you prefer disposable liners, opt for fragrance-free versions. Fragrances can be a big cause of irritation, and many brands now offer options free from perfumes. Avoiding fragrances can make a noticeable difference in reducing itching and dryness.

7. Give Your Skin a Break

Sometimes, the best way to avoid irritation is to let your skin breathe by going liner-free whenever possible. Give yourself a break at night or on light days to reduce friction and irritation from daily liner use. Consider using a menstrual cup for light flow menstrual blood rather than liners.

Lastly, although not related to panty liners, as we said at the start, it's recommended to simply wash your vulva area with warm water and a cloth. Avoid intimate washes and definitely don't douche which just introduces bacteria INTO the vagina, upsetting the slightly acidic PH of the vagina which is necessary to reduce infections.

Switching to cloth panty liners and making these small lifestyle adjustments can help reduce irritation and keep your intimate areas comfortable. At Cheeky, we offer a variety of cloth panty liners and period products that are designed with sensitive skin in mind. Have questions or thoughts? Drop them in the comments!

For more helpful tips on personal care, check out our other blog posts:

• How to Choose the Right Incontinence Products
• Are Period Pants Safe? What You Need to Know

About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable period kits and reusable sanitary pads.  Both she and the rest of the leadership team are now navigating menopause, with all the joys it brings!

The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.