Switching to natural, non-toxic underwear is one of the best swaps you can make on your low-tox lifestyle journey.
Why?
Because most conventional, synthetic underwear (polyester, nylon, etc.) is plastic that you’re wearing against your skin all day, every day.
And that plastic isn’t just sitting there—it sheds microplastics and can expose you to potentially harmful chemicals.
Microplastics are turning up everywhere—in our air, food, water, and even our brains. Research has linked them to heart attack and stroke, as well as damage to human cells in a laboratory.
And while microplastics themselves are concerning, they also act as carriers for other toxic chemicals, some of which are linked to hormone disruption, fertility issues, and long-term health concerns.
One of the most overlooked sources of exposure? Your clothing.
Most underwear on the market today is made with synthetic materials, which don’t just trap heat and moisture but can also leach chemicals into your skin—especially when you sweat. Heat accelerates the leaching process, opening up your pores and allowing more substances to be absorbed.
Plus, the groin is one of the most absorbent parts of the body to begin with!
And if that wasn’t enough, synthetic fabrics are a huge contributor to microplastic pollution. Every time you wash synthetic underwear, tiny plastic fibers break off and get washed down the drain—contaminating oceans, rivers, and even our drinking water.
So, needless to say, what you put on your most sensitive skin matters—not just for your comfort, but for your long-term health. Which is why I’ve done the research to find the best non-toxic and organic underwear brands that are actually worth the switch.
What this guide covers:
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!
These Are My Picks for the Best Non-Toxic & Organic Cotton Women’s Underwear
I’ll just get right to the brands. But if you want to learn more about what to actually look for when you’re shopping for healthier underwear, scroll down.
Subset
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This is one of my favorite brands overall.
Formerly called Knickey, Subset’s size-inclusive organic cotton panties are for wearing every day. Their styles are all available in a range of solid colors. If you’re not sure which style to get, I recommend making your own set (you can save by getting 3 or more pairs).
Everything is made with GOTS certified organic cotton and non-toxic dyes in Fair Trade factories in India. They’re OEKO-TEX certified, too. They do use a little bit of elastane (5%) for stretch.
My Take: I’ve been wearing Subset underwear for years now—ever since they first launched, actually. And I think they’ve actually gotten better over the years in the construction and durability. All of Subset’s underwear is super comfortable; I wear them during my workdays, to bed, for working out—basically for any occasion.
Their high-waisted thong is one of my favorite pairs of undies. I wear them with my high-waisted jeans and I feel comfortable and protected, but without any bunching.
Sizes: 2XS-4XL
Price Range: $20
Style Options: Thong (low and high-rise), bikini (low and mid-rise), hipster (mid-rise), brief (mid and high-rise). They also have options for men.
Pact
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One of my favorite brands for affordable organic basics for both the guys and the gals, Pact’s GOTS certified organic cotton underwear is made in Fair Trade factories in India (which means garment workers are paid fair wages).
You’ll find basic black, white, and neutrals, along with fun animal prints, florals, and stripes. They do use about 5% elastane in most of their styles.
My Take: I really like how Pact offers a range of styles at an accessible price point. They fit really well, like what you might be used to if you’re just making the switch from more ‘conventional’ brands. I have several of their different styles, which I usually pick out based on which pants I’m wearing.
Pact underwear is all super comfortable. After wearing them for a day, they are a tiny bit stretched out, but for the most part, the fit stays tight throughout the day. I’ve re-purchased Pact’s underwear multiple times over the years.
Sizes: 2XS-3XL
Price Range: $12 (on sale) – $72 (6-pack)
Style Options: Bikini, boy short, high cut brief, french cut bikini, classic fit bikini, lace waist brief, lace thong, standard thong.
And use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off full-priced items.
Juliemay
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This is one of the best brands for non-toxic lingerie.
The UK-based brand has a beautiful selection of underwear and bras, including “simple” undies for everyday wear as well as fancier lingerie options. Made with organic pima cotton and soft silk, their underwear is super comfortable and allergy-friendly for those with sensitive skin. They don’t use any synthetics, and it’s all nickel-free and latex-free for those who are sensitive.
In addition to using natural & organic materials and non-toxic dyes, they also make sure all of their production is ethical, and they use as little water as possible in the production process, too.
My Take: I’ve been wearing JulieMay for a while now and I have to say… They really did find the balance of comfy and sexy! Most of the fabric that’s actually against your skin is super soft—softer than cotton usually feels. (I say most because it depends on the style… As you can see pictured above, there’s a section of the panties that are just lace.)
The bras are lined with that same soft cotton, so even though it looks lacy, it feels more like you’re wearing that go-to, most comfortable set of underwear!
P. S. Make sure you use their sizing chart (with your exact measurements) before placing your purchase!
Sizes: 8-18, 32B-40G (+ they offer custom sizes!)
Price Range: $28-$44
Style Options: Briefs and high-waist briefs
And use the code JULIEMAY for 10% off your first order.
Oddobody
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If you’re looking for a 100% synthetic-free option, this one’s for you.
Oddobody is one of the few brands that has managed to make non-bunchy underwear without any synthetic material at all—these are made out of 100% organic cotton!
They have a variety of styles as well as some related products like sleep sets and loungewear. They offer your standard black and white, but then they also have more fun solids like red, pink, and blue. They carry underwear for kids and boxers, too. All of their products come with GOTS and Fair Trade Certified labels.
Sizes: XS-3XL
Price Range: $15-$45
Style Options: Brief, high-waisted, string bikini, french cut, thong, tanga, sleep short
KENT
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Another 100% natural underwear brand that’s also made in the USA.
KENT’s organic underwear is made out of 100% GOTS organic pima cotton for the utmost breathability and comfort. They’re completely plastic-free, which means no spandex, elastane, or other plastic materials. They come in a variety of solid colors, including your basic black or white, or something more fun like bright “Aloe Green.”
They’re all made ethically in California AND they’re completely compostable, too!
Sizes: XS-3XL
Price Range: $24 – $144 (for a 7-pack)
Style Options: Bikini, hipster, high-waist brief, thong
Cottonique
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Cottonique’s whole brand is based on providing hypoallergenic underwear and clothing for folks with sensitive skin, contact dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions.
Their women’s underwear collection includes hypoallergenic thongs and full coverage briefs in several different styles.
All of Cottonique’s underwear is made using 100% organic cotton. It’s all free from things like latex, synthetic fabrics, harsh dyes, and chemical treatments. Some of their underwear is completely undyed, while they also have some black, blue, and gray colors that use non-toxic dyes.
Additionally, some of their options have latex-free elastic, while others eliminate elastic completely by using a drawstring instead.
Sizes: 4-9
Price Range: $18 – $45 (2-pack)
Style Options: High- and mid-waist briefs, thong
Use the code THEFILTERY10% for 10% off.
Proclaim
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Sizes: S-3X
Price Range: $24-38
Style Options: High- and mid-rise briefs, biker briefs, thongs
Proclaim offers some underwear that’s made with a blend of organic cotton and hemp, while other styles use TENCEL.
What I love about Proclaim is that they walk the talk. They manufacture locally and ethically, focus on sustainable materials, and actively work to cut down on waste, water use, and plastic. Plus, they’re all about inclusivity, offering styles designed for a variety of body types and skin tones.
All of their underwear is made in California, USA.
Woolly
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Woolly’s main goal is to reduce the amount of plastic in our clothes and underwear.
Wool underwear might sound like an weird choice if you’ve never tried it before, but stick with me. Woolly uses Australian Merino wool, which is known for being incredibly fine and luxurious. Personally, I’ve found Woolly’s underwear to be super comfortable and completely non-itchy. (Of course, if you tend to be sensitive to wool—or just have sensitive skin in general—you might want to start with one pair and see how it feels.)
The advantage of wool for underwear is that it naturally resists odor and bacteria better than cotton, making it a great option for activewear, travel, and more.
Some styles are made from 100% wool, while others include 5% elastane for added stretch.
Plus, all their wool is RWS Certified, ensuring the sheep are treated ethically.
Sizes: XS-2X
Price Range: $28 – $80 (3-pack)
Style Options: Various styles of thongs, high- and low-waisted briefs, boy shorts, boxer shorts
MATE
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Sizes: XS-3X
Price Range: $28
Style Options: High-waist brief, mid-rise bikini
I love my MATE clothes. I’m wearing their sweatsuit right now! (You can check out my full review here.) They’re all about helping you “detox your closet.”
Their undies are made in a GOTS certified factory in India out of 95% organic cotton + 5% spandex. They come in a few neutral colors like black, brown, white, and tan.
Jungmaven
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These American-made undies are made out of a blend of organic cotton and hemp, with about 5% spandex for stretch. They come in a variety of different solid colors and are “Made with love in California”!
Sizes: XS-2X
Price Range: $40
Style Options: Bikini brief, high-waist brief, boy short
Organic Basics
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Organic Basics not only carries a wide variety of fits, styles, and fabrics. In addition to GOTS certified organic cotton, they also offer TENCEL underwear options, which is a good choice for those with sensitive skin. (Make sure to check the product details before buying though because they also have nylon options, which I don’t recommend.)
My Take: I have several pairs of Organic Basic’s undies, which are great for everyday wearing. They’re comfortable and good for workouts too. They tend to change up their styles regularly, so you can try different things.
Sizes: 2XS-2XL
Price Range: $12 (on sale) – $64
Style Options: Hipster, thong, cheeky high-rise, cheeky briefs, high-rise tanga, super high-rise briefs
Tomboyx
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This is ones of the most inclusive non-toxic underwear brands on the market.
Most of Tomboyx’s underwear is not made from organic cotton (although they do have a small organic collection!), but they make my list as an honorable mention, and here’s why: they have some of the most inclusive sizing and styles on the market. So if you have trouble finding undies that you really feel good in, Tomboyx is a good brand to check out.
Most of their underwear are made out of OEKO-TEX certified conventional cotton, which means the end product has been verified to be free from a long list of potentially toxic substances. Despite it not being organic, I personally feel good with this overall.
They also have a TENCEL collection. I have a few of their TENCEL garments and they are super soft and silky. I love the way they feel against my skin.
They have your standard solid colors like black and gray, but they also have lots of fun colors, patterns, and limited edition releases as well.
My Take: I think the fabric is super lightweight and soft, making for a really comfortable pair of underwear to spend all day in. Just make sure you check their size chart before purchasing because the sizing was a little weird for me.
Sizes: XS-6X
Price Range: $12 (on sale) – $112 (5-pack)
Style Options: Briefs, boxer briefs (6″ and 9″, with and without flies), thongs, bikinis, hipsters, boy shorts, trunks
Even More Brands for Non-Toxic Undies
If you still didn’t find what you’re looking for, here are even more brands to consider:
- Bhumi: They have several styles of underwear for women that’s made of 95% organic cotton + 5% spandex. XS-3XL.
- cou cou: This is a pretty good option for more feminine, lingerie-type styles. While the majority of their underwear is made of GOTS organic cotton, they do come with some polyester/synthetic (like for the lace and/or straps).
- Chosen Woven: I like the unique look these have! They’re made of a blend of merino wool, (conventional) cotton, TENCEL, and natural rubber (for the elastic). They have several styles for underwear and bras. Sizes XS-L.
- La Choochie: Here’s another good option that offers several practical (but pretty!) pairs of underwear and bras. They mainly use 95% GOTS certified organic cotton with 5% elastane. The mesh and lace details are made of synthetics, so if you want to choose the mesh-free styles, that will give you the minimal amount of plastic. Sizes 2XS-3XL.
- Le Buns: Based in Australia. Underwear & bras are mostly 90% organic cotton + 10% spandex. I like their bralettes (I find them to be more comfortable than the undies for some reason.) Code THEFILTERY15 gets you 15% off.
- Skin: This is a pretty good option. Most of their underwear is made out of 90% GOTS organic cotton and 10% Lycra. Sizes XS-2X.
- Thunderpants: Made in the USA. Mostly 90% organic cotton + 10% spandex.
Your Underwear Material Can Affect Your Longterm Health. Here’s How.
When it comes to the potential consequences of your underwear material, we have to consider both short-term and long-term health effects. (Think: infections versus fertility problems caused by hormone-disruptors.)
According to gynecologists, the type of fabric your underwear is made of can help or hinder your vaginal health, by either preventing or contributing to potential infections.
Not only do natural fabrics like cotton have more breathability, but they’re also free from a list of potentially toxic chemicals that are common in conventional synthetic underwear. For example, polyester has been found to contain antimony, which is a toxic heavy metal. This is one of the reasons why wearing underwear made out of natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp is better for your body.
But it’s not just about the main fabric material itself, but also what else is used to make that garment. Think about the dyes, finishes, etc. Ideally, you’ll want to go for organic underwear brands that use non-toxic and water based dyes and skip the “performance” additives that make things “stain-resistant”, “antibacterial“, or “anti odor.”
(Hemp and wool actually have natural antimicrobial properties, so you will see natural underwear advertised as “antimicrobial” or “antibacterial.” But for synthetic materials, manufacturers can add chemicals like formaldehyde to make them antibacterial. You don’t want these next to your hu-ha if you can help it.)
Now, you will notice that most (although not all) of the brands included here do contain some synthetic material, like 5% spandex or elastane. This is because a little bit of spandex makes a big difference when it comes to comfort, fit, and durability. It’s important to note that spandex (also known as elastane or the brand name Lycra) IS plastic.
Hopefully someday soon there will be a good non-toxic and natural stretchy fiber that can replace spandex, but until then, even decreasing the amount of synthetic fiber by 80-90% is a great thing to do.
At the end of the day, you will have to choose what’s best for you. You may want to have a variety of different kinds of underwear in your drawer… For example, you may choose to wear 100% organic cotton underwear to bed, but then keep some stretchier options with 5% spandex for your workout. I personally don’t have a problem with wearing a little bit of spandex at times.
Non-Toxic & Natural Materials = Healthier Underwear
Besides things like style, fit, and color, here are some things to be on the lookout for while you’re shopping for skin-friendly undergarments:
Natural Materials
Organic cotton is one of the most common natural fibers used for underwear. It’s grown without toxic pesticides, which means it’s better for the whole environment.
But there are also other materials that are a good choice, too. Hemp, for example, is a great sustainable option that also has natural anti-bacterial properties. (I actually have an entire guide to hemp underwear right here.) Wool is another good one.
TENCEL is another good option. Technically, TENCEL is a semi-synthetic fabric. It starts out as plant material, but the intense processing it undergoes means it’s no longer considered “natural” by the time it becomes fabric. It falls under the rayon category, but compared to other types of rayon, it’s one of the least toxic and most eco-friendly options. TENCEL has a soft, cooling feel, making it a solid alternative to traditional petroleum-based synthetics. If you have sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation, TENCEL underwear might be worth a try.
Compared to polyester, these materials are also much less likely to contain things like heavy metals or BPA.
Minimal Dyes & Finishes
There are various toxic chemicals that could be added to underwear and clothing throughout the production process—including formaldehyde, azo dyes, and more.
That’s why you’ll want to look for brands that use non-toxic, azo-free dyes (or have undyed options). Try to avoid “performance” garments that say things like “moisture wicking.”
Third Party Certifications
Third party certifications can also help. They’re definitely not perfect, but they do provide a certain amount of accountability for brands.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), for example, is a third-party certification for cotton that was grown without toxic pesticides. But in order for a finished product to also be GOTS certified, there are limits on the extra chemicals that can be used throughout manufacturing as well.
Additionally, the OEKO-TEX label indicates that a finished garment has been tested against a list of harmful toxins.
Related Guides
- The best underwear and bra brands for those with sensitive skin
- The best hemp underwear brands
- The comfiest organic bras
- Where to find TENCEL underwear
- Organic thongs
- The best maternity underwear and nursing bras
- Organic boxers for men
- Here are the best size-inclusive organic cotton underwear brands
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