Period underwear · 7 min read
Period underwear materials: what our pants are made of
The materials in our period pants
Which materials make period underwear especially comfortable? That question kept us busy right from the start of our product development. That is why skin-friendliness comes first when we choose the fabrics for our period underwear. After all, you should feel comfortable in your pants all day long. We tested and refined a great deal before we were happy with the result. Here you can find out exactly what our period underwear is made of.
Period pants made from high-quality materials
All materials used in our period pants are certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. This means every component has been tested for harmful substances and the product is safe for your health. But let us take a closer look at the material of the pants:
The inner layer of our period pants
Inner layer
The inner layer of the period pants – the one that touches your skin – is made of a blend of cotton lining, polyester and elastane. Cotton is a fine natural fibre that is very kind to the skin. It does not cause irritation, which also makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. It is also breathable, tear-resistant and absorbent – perfect for our period pants. Thanks to these qualities, cotton is hugely popular for clothing and bed linen in general. On top of that, cotton is soft and feels pleasantly cool on the skin. But pants made of pure cotton would offer little stretch and would crease easily. That is why we combine it with elastane, which makes our menstrual underwear flexible. Elastane feels fine and soft, and the fabric stays perfectly smooth.
The outer layer of our period pants
Outer layer
The outer layer of our pants – the part that does not touch your skin – is microfibre (nylon and elastane). The proportions vary depending on the style. Because nylon is extremely stretchy, breathable and durable, the fabric is also widely used in sportswear. Our delicate yet stretchy lace is made largely of nylon (90%) with elastane (10%).
SELENAtec® multi-layer technology
For the absorbent area we use SELENAtec®, an ultra-thin fabric technology made up of four layers. In short, it makes sure nothing leaks and no odours develop. And by ultra-thin we really do mean ultra-thin – it is less than 4 millimetres thick. The four layers of SELENAtec®:
- Inner layer: 94% polyester, 6% elastane
- Second layer: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Third layer: polyester with polyurethane coating
- Outer layer: 86% nylon, 14% elastane
What does period underwear feel like?
It was especially important to us that our period pants feel good all day long. That is why we used regular underwear as our benchmark. Our goal was to develop menstrual underwear that not only looks just as good as regular pants, but feels just as good too. We are proud to say we succeeded. So you can rely on our period pants being every bit as comfortable as the underwear you are used to.
How do I wash period pants?
During development we made sure the pants are easy to clean. You can wash our period pants in the washing machine just like regular underwear – ideally at 30 to 60 degrees. Thanks to the antibacterial layer, 30 degrees is perfectly sufficient, which is kinder to the environment too. We have summarised how best to wash your pants and what to look out for in our guide “Washing period underwear”.
Are period pants hygienic?
Absolutely. It may feel unusual at first to simply bleed into your underwear. But thanks to the antibacterial protection, no odours can develop. And the multi-layer technology means it always feels dry. Just as with any hygiene product, there are a few recommendations you should follow:
- Change regularly
Just like regular underwear, you should change your period pants at least once a day. If you have a very heavy period, it may be necessary several times a day. You will notice when your period pants are “full” – they start to feel damp. - Wash properly
After wearing, rinse the period pants with cold water until all the blood has washed out. You can then put them straight into the washing machine (30 to 60 degrees) and let them dry. Please do not use bleach – a colour or universal detergent works best. - Dry properly
Period underwear must not go in the tumble dryer. Please do not place the washed pants on a radiator or iron them either. The heat would damage our multi-layer technology. The result: the individual layers stick together and can no longer absorb liquid.
With the right care, the underwear provides reliable protection for up to 100 washes. Once the antibacterial function has worn off, the pants can still be worn as regular underwear.
How many pairs of period pants do you need?
The number of pants you need depends on how heavy your period is and how often you do your laundry. With a normal flow, three to five pairs are usually enough without having to wash every day. On average, you lose around 60 millilitres of blood over the course of a period. Our period pants can absorb 25 millilitres of liquid. Tip: You can read how to find the best period underwear in our guide “Finding the best period underwear”.
Empfohlene Produkte
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
Why choose period underwear?
Why should I use period underwear?
While we already avoid plastic and single-use items in many areas of everyday life, disposable period products are sadly still the norm. Yet avoiding mountains of waste is easy – simply replace single-use products with reusable ones. Take a look at our guides on the 8 benefits of period underwear or the 5 benefits of menstrual cups – you will find all the advantages at a glance there.
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