A no-show thong or sexy lingerie will always have a spot in your top drawer, but for everyday wear, nothing beats a reliable pair of the best cotton underwear for women. The natural fiber is known for being soft and breathable—perfect for those hot summer days—and when you consider everything that’s happening down there (especially during workouts or other sweat-inducing activities), you really want a second-skin pair that’ll hold up day in and out.
Our top picks:
Is cotton underwear really better?
“Cotton underwear helps to keep moisture away from the body and eliminates targeted heat,” says Monica Grover, MD, ob-gyn and chief medical officer at Vspot. That’s a good thing, says Grover, since “overheating or moisture can disturb women’s pH and resistance to antibacterial treatment options.” Unlike synthetic materials, which have a tendency to trap heat, “cotton is naturally hypoallergenic,” Grover says, “which helps to alleviate any irritation—and doesn’t trap moisture, allowing for your vulva and vagina to breathe.”
Does that mean you should toss out all of your synthetic undies? Not exactly. But you might want to be more intentional about when you wear them. “There’s significant wetness that occurs with urinary leakage or a heavy-duty workout,” says Beri Ridgeway, MD, ob-gyn and cofounder of Ina. “In these cases, the fabric can retain too much moisture and remain wet against the delicate vulvar skin. For some, this can cause discomfort, irritation, and may put one at risk for infection, so I recommend a moisture-wicking material, like cotton.”
Really, though, the biggest difference between cotton and synthetic materials is how they’re produced. “Natural fabrics, such as cotton, are made of animal- or plant-based fibers, while synthetics are man-made and produced entirely from chemicals to create fabrics like polyester, rayon, acrylic, and many others,” says Dr. Grover. Unsurprisingly, our skin reacts differently to these types of materials, so it’s worth paying attention to the fabrics that feel good on your body and skin—and the ones that don’t.
Should all women wear 100% cotton underwear?
Pretty much—but there are certain people who benefit from wearing cotton underwear more than others. “For a person who has never had vulvar concerns, irritation, or infections, I recommend they wear what makes them happy,” says Dr. Ridgeway. “But for those with irritation, itching, discomfort, or a history of infections, I recommend cotton, because the vulvar skin is delicate and vulnerable to irritants and allergens.” Dr. Grover also notes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women with vulvodynia (persistent irritation of the vulva) wear 100% cotton underwear to help relieve symptoms.
Sure, the most comfortable women’s underwear may not rank high on your list of exciting things to buy, but sometimes the best—and arguably most important—pieces in your wardrobe are the ones you don’t see throughout the day. Luckily, the internet is filled with wonderful things, including highly enthusiastic customer reviews, to help discerning shoppers uncover the best underwear for women across different brands, budgets (hi, cheap lingerie), and styles.
From the best seamless underwear to the best period underwear (sorry, no sexy crotchless panties in this roundup), below are the top-rated pairs worth adding to cart. We know, because we’ve tested them!
