Best Panty Liners
Carefree Barely There
Great product CRINGE packaging – Been using these for years.... But please please pleaseeeeeeeeeeee change the cringe packaging. Seriously, I cannot deal with this level of cringe on a daily basis.
Carefree Original
Amazing product – I so love this liner! Been using this for years! I like the texture and feel of the liner and it doesn't cause any irritation. Absorption is good.… Read more
Scent is lovely, I tried the scented and unscented liners. It sticks when on the panty, if you move it doesn't dislodge and it just sticks properly. Affordable product as well.
Evamay Ultra Thin Liners
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Wow! I actually found something that doesn't irritate me. I've tried other popular brands and they make me itch. I thought it was just me but my work colleagues are the same. So big thank you to you whoever you are. Show details
TOM Organic Ultra Thin Panty Liners
I purchased the liners as well as the super pads as they were a woman made brand, so really had high hopes, only to be severely disappointed. A… Read more
packet of pads usually lasts me the entire week, these super pads are so thin, they're basically liners. I went through over half the pack in a single day and was constantly stressed I was going to leak through- which i did, numerous times. This is not even remotely eco friendly, nor wallet friendly. Spending at least 5 times as much as normal with how many I would need to purchase to last a single period. I would honestly be better off buying the cheapest, nastiest panty liners from the dollar store and they'd do a better job.
Carefree Breathable
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This new design and these new changes are horrible. I have been a long-standing customer of carefree panty liners and I am now leaving immediately… Read more
and going to always. I’m sure you thought you were saving money by going to cheaper adhesive and cheaper packaging and just a cheaper all around panty liner, but myself, all of my femalesfamily members and friends are leaving this brand due to the recent changes in the product. Going cheap doesn’t always pay off.
TENA Ultimate Coverage Ultra Long Liners
Great brand – The brand is fantastic I only buy this brand now. I’ve tried all the different brands. I’ve never had an issue with bunching. I get the anti-bunching… Read more
ones. I’ve never had a leak. Some products have odor control technology which is super handy. I highly recommend this brand
Wonder Long
Awesome! – I've been using panty liners for years, and these are by far the best! They are long enough and wide enough to fit on my undies perfectly! super comfy too! Long, Wide and comfy Can only buy them at Woolworths Show details
I finally found a panty liner that doesn't scrunch, twist, move or feel uncomfortable. The Coles Assure Discreet Long Liners are awesome. Just the right length, comfortable and secure. They stay in place even if you wear G-strings.
Libra Standard Liners
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i bought the liners 2 months ago but now when i open to use it doesn’t look fresh. There was tiny orange like red color dots on it. I thought its… Read more
expired but when i checked the date it’s not expired. Very very disappointed. Company Playing with women health.
TENA Liners Extra Long Length
I have found these pads to be the best! Not expensive, longest of all pads Show details
Tsuno Panty Liners
The worst pads – The worst pads ever! Every time I peel it off, the bottom of the pads still stuck on my pants. Such a pain to wash them off. Don’t know how anyone could use those.
Libra Liners Dry Long 39
Seemed decent quality but if you sweat like me you’ll find that when you peel them off they rip easily and leaves the sticky back to your undies . I’ve thrown out a few pairs of undies because of this. I think I’ll stick to the U Kotex ones. Show details
Libra Extra Protect Liners
Product disappointing – Not a good product, irritated skin. Very dissatisfied and disappointing from a large company looking after health.
Have again been duped by Coles branded products. While product seems comparable quality with other budget liners (and as a bonus is safely fragrance… Read more
free) despite the label and design of packaging (ie length of packet) it is most definitely NOT A LONG PANTYLINER.
Stop the deceptive marketing and remove "long" from your label or state the length on outer packaging. Or actually make it long like Carefree and other brands. Poor form.
I've been buying this product for some years now, quite happy with the performance and the fact they have a white sticky tab on the end of the… Read more
wrapper that makes disposal easy. They've disposed of the white sticky tab, I complained to Kimberley Clark, they claim it saves tons of unneccesary plastic waste, I disagree, I think without it the wrapper unravels and can be messy and embarrasing. I will not buy this product again.
Seen them on special, they stick to undies like glue, tried3 different liners, in case was a bodgy one, but no I've lost three good pr underwear, remember now why don't get them.
Total Fail – I have been a fan of Tena or Poise 1 1/2 drop liners for years. Recently Tena changed to ultra thin "new" more "breathable and fresh". They are a… Read more
total fail, and very smelly after a long hot summer's day. I have no problem with their pink Poise competitor. It's you not me. Wish it was easier to get an online supermarket refund.
What are panty liners for?
Panty liners are thin, absorbent pieces of material placed inside underwear. They’re similar to sanitary napkins, but are thinner and smaller.
Since they’re designed for everyday use, they’re made to mould to underwear and the shape of your body as seamlessly as possible, in order to be as comfortable as possible.
There are several uses of a panty liner, depending on who is using them.
What panty liners are good at absorbing
- Light vaginal discharge
- Spotting that occurs in the days before and after your period
- Discharge released after sex
- A back-up for extra protection when wearing a tampon, especially on heavy flow days.
- Urinary incontinence (there are specially-made panty liners for this purpose)
- Light postpartum flow, also known as lochia, which often occurs in the weeks and months after giving birth.
What panty liners aren’t good for
- Wearing on your period. They’re not absorbent enough for the days that you have a steady flow, and for this you need dedicated sanitary napkins, tampons or a menstrual cup instead.
- Wearing overnight or for continuous periods over 4 hours. Panty liners need to be changed at regular intervals, otherwise they can create the conditions for bacterial infections.
Is it OK to wear a panty liner every day?
While most panty liners are marketed as being safe to be worn daily, this may lead to a few uncomfortable situations. Here are a few reasons why.
Increased risk of infections
Wearing a panty liner creates a warm, moist environment down there. This added heat and moisture disrupts your vagina's natural pH balance, allowing bacteria to thrive and overgrow.
This creates the perfect conditions for a vaginal yeast infection, also known as thrush, which can cause itching and burning sensations. Other bacterial infections are also possible.
Irritating chemicals
Some disposable panty liners are made with harsh chemicals, which are put in to enhance absorbency or to create fragrances for scented panty liners. These include polyolefins, pesticides, plastics, and even bleach - which gives disposable panty liners their pristine white colour. Your skin may absorb these chemicals, which can cause irritation or an allergic reaction in a sensitive area.
However, some people who do wear a panty liner everyday may not experience any unpleasant situations. This is the ideal situation, but may take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect liner that works for you.
Wearing a panty liner that’s natural and breathable, like an organic panty liner, may help to avoid some of these problems caused by daily use of panty liners.
Types of Panty Liners
Disposable Panty Liners
These are designed to be thrown away after one-time use. They have a soft upper layer that touches your skin, and an adhesive on the back that sticks to your underwear.
Reusable Panty Liners
Reusable liners are made with a breathable natural material like cotton or bamboo. They’re made to be washed regularly so you can re-use them.
What else to look for in a panty liner
Absorbency
If a panty liner isn’t absorbent, you may as well not be wearing it. One that is absorbent, however, will help you feel clean and dry.
The level of absorbency varies between different panty liners, and what you’ll need depends on the specific purpose you’re sourcing a panty liner for. Most brands will state this on their packaging, and some, like Carefree liners, have a ‘drop absorbency rating.’
For example, light discharge will likely require a low level of absorbency. Thicker discharge or spotting may require more absorbency. If you are sourcing an incontinence liner for anything more than light drips (like spurts or streams), you’re likely to need something more heavy duty, like an incontinence pad.
Comfort
Since panty liners are intended for everyday use, how comfortable you feel while wearing one is an important consideration. Comfort is influenced by the following:
- How the top layer feels: Some disposable panty liners are stiff, or feel like paper or plastic. This isn’t going to feel very comfortable. Cotton or bamboo are usually more safe bets when it comes to softness.
- How dry you stay: One of the main purposes of a panty liner is to remove unwanted moisture. Synthetic materials can cause you to sweat more, defeating the purpose of wearing a panty liner at all. This is especially important for incontinence liners, which can have elevated sides or gel technology, which is meant to trap urine inside the material to prevent leakages.
- How well panty liners stick: For disposable liners, a poor-quality adhesive will unglue the liner from your undies. This will cause the panty liner you’re wearing to shift around uncomfortably. Good quality glue is important, and reading reviews can help you figure out whether this is the case for a product. Panty liners with wings may help your liner to stay put.
- Size of the liner: If it’s too large or thick, it will feel bulky and uncomfortable.
Size
The length of a panty liner affects how it will feel while worn, but also how effective it is.
You may prefer a longer panty liner, or an extra wide panty liner, if you prefer extra coverage for peace of mind. Longer liners can also be useful if you experience heavy discharge, are buying panty liners for incontinence, or are new to using tampons.
As well as extra-long liners, there are streamlined liners that offer a much more discreet size to match your underwear. This is the case for G-string liners, which some brands sell.
Reusable panty liners often have more to offer when it comes to a variety of sizes. This means you can select the most suitable size of panty liner, depending on the time of the month in relation to when your period is.
How much does a panty liner cost?
This depends on a number of factors. Disposable panty liners are more expensive than reusable options in the long-run, as you’ll have to keep buying new ones after throwing them out.
Choosing panty liners made from organic cotton will be more expensive than buying ones made from synthetic materials that use chemicals in the growing or manufacturing process. Here is an example to demonstrate.
All of the panty liners below are made to absorb light discharge, and are very thin.
| Criteria | Carefree Barely There | TOM Organic Ultra Thin Panty Liners | Natracare Organic Cotton Panty Liners | Hannahpad Cloth Panty Liner (reusable) |
| Cost per pack | $2.38 | $5.45 | $5.95 | N/A |
| Liners in a pack | 24 liners | 26 liners | 22 liners | N/A |
| Cost per liner | 10 cents | 20 cents | 27 cents | $26.95 |
| Cost per year (daily use) | $36.50 | $73 | $98.55 | $188.65 (for 7 liners*) |
*Reusable pads like this Hannahpad Cloth Panty Liner are estimated to last 2-3 years. As a result, this represents a cost of $188.65 over either 2 or 3 years.
Wrapping up
Ultimately, the right panty liner for you will be a personal choice. When choosing, consider absorbency and the comfort level a prospective panty liner offers. Other considerations that may be important include the materials used. You may prefer to source a liner with natural, organic materials to avoid irritating chemicals.
Lastly, consider how much time you're willing to put into caring for your feminine hygiene products. Disposable liners are throw-and-go, while reusable panty liners may be more cost-effective in the long-run, but more high maintenance.