What Underwear Is Best for Vulvar Irritation?
A Gentle Guide for Sensitive Skin**
Vulvar irritation is far more common than most women realise. Whether caused by friction, sensitive skin, hormonal changes, synthetic fabrics, eczema, or medical conditions, the discomfort can quickly become a daily frustration — especially if your underwear is making things worse.
As the founder of curae, I’ve spent years designing underwear for sensitive and changing bodies. I hear from women experiencing irritation, burning, chafing and flare-ups every week. And the truth is simple: the right underwear can significantly reduce irritation… and the wrong underwear can trigger it.
This guide breaks down what actually helps.
1. Choose Breathable, Natural or Skin-Kind Fabrics
The vulva needs airflow.
Synthetic, non-breathable fabrics trap heat and moisture — the perfect environment for irritation.
Best fabrics for vulvar irritation:
- Micromodal (ultra-breathable, naturally soft)
- Lyocell (TENCEL™) (hypoallergenic, cooling)
- Regenerated nylon blends that are OEKO-TEX® certified
- Cotton (classic breathable option)
These fabrics wick away moisture, reduce friction and prevent overheating — three of the biggest triggers of vulvar irritation.
This aligns with curae’s design pillars: gentle, breathable, skin-kind materials chosen specifically for sensitive bodies.
2. Avoid Tight, Rigid or High-Pressure Waistbands
A waistband that digs into the lower abdomen or groin can irritate nerve-dense areas and worsen inflammation.
Choose waistbands that are:
- Soft
- Flexible
- Non-compressive
- Free from rigid elastics
One of my guiding principles when designing for curae is simple: pressure-free design. Even a well-made underwear becomes uncomfortable if the waistband is too firm.
👉 Cosy Charlotte’s waistband is often described as cloud-soft — perfect for irritation-prone days.
3. Go Seam-Light or Seam-Free on the Vulva Area
Thick seams rubbing against delicate skin can lead to:
- redness
- irritation
- dermatitis
- micro-abrasions
- pain during movement
Look for:
- Flatlock seams
- Minimal seams on the gusset
- Smooth edges that won’t rub under clothing
At curae, every seam is deliberately placed to avoid pressure points — especially around the vulva, thighs and lower abdomen. Our customers with eczema or lipoedema often highlight this as the single biggest reason they feel relief.
4. Choose Moisture-Managing Gussets
A sweaty or damp environment aggravates irritation.
Your gusset must be breathable and soft.
Ideal gusset features:
- Natural, breathable fabric
- No thick seams
- No synthetic plasticky liners
- Enough airflow for daily comfort
The gusset on the Cosy Charlotte Shorts was designed to reduce heat and friction — making it suitable for sensitive skin, hormonal shifts and flare days.
5. Opt for Gentle, Adaptive Fits (Not Tight or Shaping Underwear)
Shapewear, control underwear and tight briefs often look sleek — but they’re brutal for sensitive skin.
They increase:
- friction
- pressure
- trapped heat
- irritation
The best underwear for vulvar irritation are:
- Shorts-style (reduced rubbing)
- Soft, adaptive fits
- Light on the skin
- Flexible with swelling, bloating or hormonal changes
Your Cosy Charlotte Shorts are loved by women with chronic illnesses, sensitive skin and irritation-prone bodies for this exact reason — they move with you, not against you.
6. Avoid Scratchy Lace, Mesh or Embellished Panels (even “soft” ones)
Lace looks beautiful. But for irritation-prone skin, even soft lace can cause:
- micro-scratching
- friction
- redness
- flare-ups under heat
Plain, soft, matte fabrics are best for soothing recovery.
7. Underwear Style Matters: Here’s What Works Best
✔ Best for vulvar irritation:
- Shorts-style underwear (anti-chafe, low-friction, breathable)
- Full-coverage briefs in micromodal or lyocell
- Soft-waistband, seamless-edge designs
✘ Avoid:
- Thongs or G-strings
- Lace briefs
- Synthetic polyamide mixes
- Shapewear
- Anything tight, structured or compressive
8. On Irritation Days: What To Wear
If you wake up with irritation, choose:
- Soft, breathable underwear (no seams on sensitive areas)
- Loose clothing
- A gentle base layer under trousers to reduce friction
- Avoid jeans, leggings and tight trousers
- Consider overnight breathable shorts for sleep
Many women with dermatological irritation have switched to wearing Cosy Charlotte as their sleepwear to prevent night-time friction.
A Founder’s Note: Why I Design for Sensitive Bodies
From my own years designing curae, I learned that what sits closest to your skin matters more than anything else in your wardrobe. Tiny choices — the thickness of a seam, the softness of a waistband, the breathability of the fabric — can be the difference between relief and irritation.
I built curae because I couldn’t find underwear that felt like care.
If you live with vulvar irritation, sensitive skin or medical tenderness, you deserve softness you can truly rely on.
Join our newsletter to learn more about what is best for your body!
