I’ve tried a bunch of nontoxic underwear over the last five years, and I’m sharing the best organic cotton undies and how they look worn. The best non-toxic underwear is made with 100% organic cotton and without synthetics, PFAS, heavy metals, or harmful chemicals.

If you want to cut to the chase, these are my findings after years of buying and testing.

Why You Should Switch Your Underwear

Here’s what you’ll find in typical underwear:

• PFAS (“forever chemicals”): Added to make fabric stain-resistant, leak-proof, or water-repellent
• Antimicrobial treatments: Silver, copper, zinc, and other chemicals added to “odor-fighting” or “antibacterial” underwear. They’re designed to kill bacteria, which can also disrupt the healthy bacteria in your vaginal microbiome.
• Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in some polyester and spandex activewear. In 2022, the Center for Environmental Health found BPA in sports bras and athletic shirts from major brands. BPA is a known hormone disruptor, and it can be absorbed through sweaty skin.
• Formaldehyde resins: Used in “wrinkle-free” and “easy-care” fabrics. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and a common cause of itchy skin rashes from clothing.
• Disperse and azo dyes: Disperse dyes, used to color polyester and nylon, are among the most common causes of clothing-related skin allergies. Some azo dyes can break down into cancer-causing chemicals, which is why the EU restricts them.
• Rubber accelerators and latex: Chemicals used to make elastic waistbands, which can cause skin rashes in sensitive people and reactions in people with latex allergies.
• Phthalates: Can be found in plastic-based printed graphics and logos, the thick, rubbery prints common on kids’ underwear. Phthalates are linked to hormone disruption.

How to Choose Non-Toxic Underwear

• Look for GOTS-certified organic cotton. GOTS bans toxic dyes, formaldehyde, and many harmful finishes throughout production, not just in the final fabric.
• Check for OEKO-TEX Standard 100. It tests the finished product for hundreds of harmful substances, and it has banned PFAS since 2023.
• Choose a cotton crotch lining, even in lace or synthetic styles.
• Skip performance claims like “antimicrobial,” “odor-fighting,” “stain-resistant,” and “moisture-wicking,” which often mean chemical treatments.
• Pick lighter or undyed colors if you have sensitive skin, since they use less dye.
• Choose period underwear brands that publish third-party PFAS testing, not just “PFAS-free” claims.
• Wash new underwear before wearing it to remove leftover chemical residue from manufacturing.

Underwear is the single pice of clothing you spend the most time in. It’s in direct contact most intimate area of your body. Remember, prioritize items that rub directly against your skin and that you’re likely to sweat in in like bras, workout clothes and PJs.

Here’s the wild part. Only 7% of undergarments are sustainably sourced and the rest are made with synthetic fabrics. Typical underwear can contain BPA, PFAS, formaldehyde and heavy metals from dyes and chemical finishes. There was a recent study done that showed that underwear made from synthetic fibers like polyester and polyamide had high levels of BPA. This study shows that underwear fabric alone can shut down sperm production. The men who wore polyester against their private areas produced zero sperm. More people should be talking about this and how infertility affects 1 in 6 people worldwide according to the World Health Organization.

Materials Used in Non-Toxic Panties

I tried Kent Organic Supima Cotton Bikini (most breathable!)

Kent’s 100% Organic Supima Cotton Bikini underwear is my top pick and hands down THE most breathable, durable and soft cotton panty my lady bits have experienced. Supima cotton is a superior kind of cotton. It’s an American-grown variety of extra-long-staple cotton that’s softer, silkier and experiences less pilling. I can definitely feel the difference between this and other organic cotton panties.

Kent has managed to make non-bunchy underwear without any synthetics. No mystery materials or chemical coatings. These are truly non-toxic and made of 100% natural fibers without any synthetics, petrochemicals, microplastics, and BPA. You could plant these back into the earth. And yet it performs like traditional underwear and feels even better. They’re soft, durable and do not feel flimsy at all.

The medium size is a true medium on the generous side for me. It happens to be on the pricier end, but if you want the best of the best, Kent beats all the other brands hands down. I continuously update with new items I test and it amazes me how far all natural underwear has come.

To keep the natural fibers in good shape over time, I recommend using a mesh laundry bag for delicates if you’re putting them in the washer and use safe non-toxic laundry detergent.

Price: $28
Material: 100% organic supima cotton
Fit: True to size
Breathability: 5/5
Size range: XS to XXXL
Colors: 9
Other Styles: Thong, Bikini, High Waist, High Cut Brief, Boy Short, Hipster
✓ GOTS Organic ✓ No synthetics ✓ No plastic
Ships from: US

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I tried Organic Basics Flex Hipster

Organic Basics is one of the only certified organic underwear options under $20 on the market. The other is Pact but I feel like these hold up better. They’re made of 91% GOTS organic cotton and feel soft and stretchy. These do feel a little bit more durable than Pact’s so between the two I would go for Organic Basics.

The medium feels true to size for me but I wouldn’t mind a little more room. These aren’t the most luxurious panties but I feel they’re a solid budget-friendly option in the organic underwear space. Organic Basics has the most color variety with 10 different ones to choose from.

Price: $17
Material: Body: 91% Organic Cotton, 9% Elastane – Gusset: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane
Fit: True to size
Breathability: 4/5
Size range: XXS to XXXL
Colors: 10
✓ GOTS Organic
Ships from: US

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I tried Subset Organic Cotton Underwear

Subset’s undies feel a little more premium than Pact and Organic Basics thanks to the higher organic cotton content and nicer bands. Their undies are made with 95% Certified Organic Cotton and 5% elastane and have wider lining all along the edges.

They feel just a tiny bit softer than the big brands, but it’s honestly hard to tell a major difference when worn.

I think Subset bras (bralette style) are top of the line, so if you’re looking for a new one it makes sense to get the undies too. They offer a ton of colors and have the most inclusive sizing out of all the brands I tried.

Price: $20
Material: 95% Certified Organic Cotton and 5% elastane
Fit: True to size
Breathability: 4/5
Size range: XXS to XXXXL
Colors: 10
Other Styles: Thong, Bikini, Brief, Boy Short, Hipster, Maternity
✓ GOTS Organic
Ships from: US

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I Tried Embrace High Leg Brief

Embrace’s underwear is made with a 100% organic cotton gusset lining and micromodal for the body. This has a buttery soft and stretchy feel and fits true to size for me. These are perfect for summer since they’re so breathable. They have good coverage too and aren’t quite as thin as Negative Underwear which also uses micromodal as their fabric of choice.

I find the cut and design of their High Leg Brief to be super flattering since it sits higher on the waist. Everything in the line feels very intentionally designed – their bra top in the high neck is so comfy, cute and modest. Practical and stylish pieces a grown woman would actually want to wear.

Price: $28
Materials: Austrian Micromodal and 100% organic cotton gusset
Fit: True to size
Breathability: 5/5
Size range: XS to XL
Ships from: US

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I tried Q For Quinn Women’s Pointelle Boxers

Q For Quinn makes the best organic cotton boxers on the market! These are not only so soft and breathable but the prettiest ones I’ve tried with feminine detailing throughout. I love wearing these boxers as sleepwear or underneath dresses. They fit true to size as underwear, but if you’re wanting to wear them as loungewear or pajamas, I would size up. They also offer their Everyday Knit Boxers which is structured more like a true boxer and has a fly and thicker waistband.

Price: $43
Material: 100% organic cotton
Fit: True to size with a loose feel
Breathability: 5/5
Size range: XS to XXXL
Colors: Black and Natural
✓ GOTS Organic certified company ✓  Ecocert Greenlife certified ✓ Family Owned
Ships from: US

I tried Q For Quinn Classic Brief

I first tried Q for Quinn Classic Brief three years ago when I was on the hunt for 100% organic underwear, and they’ve held up well. They’re not playin around. These are some serious undies that are hefty and run warm for me, so I only gravitate towards them during the colder months. During the warmer months I definitely want to wear something more breathable.

Q for Quinn is one of the few brands that makes truly 100% organic cotton underwear without any synthetic materials. They actually offer both 95% organic cotton and 100% organic cotton options in either undyed or azo-free plant dyes to suit everyone’s needs.

There’s also a ton of styles to choose from, including boxers and maternity. I would just recommend washing the 100% organic cotton ones in a mesh bag on cold or by hand to protect the fabric from pilling. Because the fibers are all natural and untreated with chemical finishes they’re more delicate. Q For Quinn makes my favorite organic socks out of all the companies I’ve tried.

Price: $25
Material: 100% organic cotton
Fit: True to size with a loose feel
Breathability: 3/5 thick fabric that runs warm
Size range: XS to XXXL
Colors: Black, Lilac and Creme Brulee
Other Styles: Thong, Bikini, Classic Brief, High Waist Brief, Boxers, Maternity
Ships from: US

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I tried Kiseau Underwear

Kiseau is the most innovative organic underwear to hit the market and made with organic cotton, eucalyptus, and Icelandic seaweed fibers. Their undies are GOTS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, made from organic cotton, SeaCell (a lyocell made from Icelandic seaweed and eucalyptus pulp from FSC-certified forests), and ROICA, a Cradle to Cradle Gold-certified stretch fiber. There’s NO PFAs, toxic plastics, azo dyes, heavy metals, formaldehyde, bleaches, and harmful textile toxins. There’s not even any elastic used and instead, Kiseau uses A&E Aneflex ECO100 to stitch their undie seams together, which is made from 100% recycled polymers, GRS-certified, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified (the strictest class within OEKO-TEX for babies).

I tried their Organic Everyday Bikini, a mid-rise, full-cut pair made from 70% organic cotton, 23% SeaCell, and 7% ROICA, with an elastic-free waist and I found it very breathable, moisture wicking, stretchy and oh so comfy. I also tried their High Waist Brief which sits higher along the waist and hip and is also non-restrictive, breathable and fantastic for everyday wear, lounging in, during yoga workouts. I love that their panties are entirely biodegradable: the organic cotton and SeaCell break down completely, and the ROICA is engineered to degrade into CO2 and water in roughly 10 years instead of the 200+ years standard spandex takes. They’re designed in North America and made in Sri Lanka in small, intentional batches, so when a style runs out it’s out for good.

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I tried Negative French Whipped Cotton Brief (luxe!)

Negative underwear is by far the most luxurious and softest panties I own. They’re made of 91% micro modal with a 100% cotton gusset lining. They may not be as pure as ones with GOTS Organic Cotton, but Negative’s undies are OEKO-TEX certified non toxic – and they’re incredibly silky soft and breathable.

Their Whipped collection wins for breathability and I would rate it a 6/5. Most organic underwear needs to be machine washed cold, but these can handle a warm cycle. I feel like I need to be very careful with these though because they feel so delicate!

There’s at least an inch of size difference between their Boy Short and Brief styles. The medium Boy Short feels like a large to me so I would size down in this particular style. Their medium French Whipped Cut Brief in Medium fits true to size.

Price: $45
Material: 91% Micro Modal 9% Lycra and 100% Cotton gusset lining
Fit: loose fit
Breathability: 5/5
Size range: XS to XXL
Other Styles: Bikini, Thong, Brief, Boxer, Boyshorts, High Rise
Colors: 7
✓ OEKO-TEX certified
Ships from: US

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I tried Pact Everyday Organic High Rise Brief

Pact offers the most affordable certified organic cotton underwear in my list. I find their underwear soft, stretchy and pleasant to wear but I wouldn’t consider them the highest quality or the most durable. These have decent stretch thanks to a bit of elastane in them. Pact was one of the first organic cotton panties I tried and they remain one of the best value for money options today.

Price: $16
Materials: 95% Organic Cotton 5% Elastane Body and 100% organic cotton gusset
Fit: True to size
Breathability: 4/5
Size range: XS to XXL
Other Styles: Bikini, Thong, High Rise Brief, Mid Rise Hipster, Lace Brief, Lace Thong
Colors: 7
✓ GOTS Organic
Ships from: US

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Organic Cotton Swim Bottom: Pure Earth Collection Earthcove

Pure Earth Collection makes GOTS-organic cotton, PFAS-free dyes, built-in UPF 50+ swimwear in their Earthcove line. They’re the only brand that makes organic swimwear range designed for the whole family. The swim bottoms are made with 98% GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric with just 2% lycra for stretch and fit. And so it doesn’t feel like a sopping piece of cotton on ya! The High Rise Bottom is very generously sized (I would size down at least one size) and very hefty, sturdy and high quality. I’m usually a Medium but their Small would have suited much better, and possibly even XS.

It’s got great structure and design to it, feels compressive and performs like real swimwear. No one would guess it’s organic!

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