Written by Chad Birt on Tue Dec 31 2024.
If you're active but need incontinence protection, pull-up diapers are an excellent choice. They look and feel like regular underwear, fit discreetly under your clothing, and are easy to remove and dispose of.
While pull-ups offer many benefits, finding a product that fits well and doesn't cause irritation or chafing can be challenging if you have sensitive skin or skin-related allergies.
Our Care Specialists frequently receive calls about incontinence products for sensitive skin. To make your search a little easier, we've created this roundup of the best pull-up diapers for sensitive skin. Below, we'll highlight some of our best-selling pull-ups and explain how they can help keep your skin healthy.
Pull-up diapers (also known as incontinence briefs) look just like regular underwear. They feature a stretchy waistband, two leg holes, and flexible leg gathers that comfortably hug the thighs. Pull-up diapers are ready to wear right out of the package and don't require any assistance to put on.
Though similar, pull-ups and tab-style diapers aren't the same. Tab diapers have adjustable fasteners and typically offer more absorbency throughout the core.
The only thing that makes pull up diapers for sensitive skin different from traditional pull ups is the material they're made from.
Pull ups for sensitive skin are designed to wick moisture away from the skin and promote airflow. Some even incorporate botanicals, aloe, or vitamins into their fabric, helping moisturize and protect the skin.
The primary difference between pull-up diapers for sensitive skin and traditional pull-ups lies in their materials and design.
Pull-ups for sensitive skin are specifically engineered to wick moisture away from the skin and promote airflow. Some even incorporate skin-friendly ingredients like botanicals, aloe, or vitamins into their fabric to help moisturize and protect the skin.
The products featured in this list of the best pull-up diapers for sensitive skin are a mix of our highest-rated and best-selling options.
Under each entry, you'll find real customer or user feedback to give you a clearer picture of their performance.
Carewell Incontinence Underwear: Overnight & Heavy Full Coverage Fit is ideal for anyone experiencing heavy urinary incontinence, especially those who need reliable, overnight protection. If you're looking for a product that combines comfort, security, and exceptional absorbency, this underwear is for you.
Key Benefits & Features:
Extra-wide core: designed to help trap liquid before it turns into a leak
Anti-sagging threads: these help prevent the underwear from gapping, offering a snug fit
Soft & gentle on skin: ultra soft, premium, and hypoallergenic fabric
Easy disposal: includes a convenient sticky tab so you can roll up used underwear and dispose
Customer Review of Carewell Incontinence Underwear Overnight & Heavy Full Coverage Fit: "They're comfortable, yet it does not feel as if it's smothering. The fit and absorbency help a lot from the sagging, helping everything stay inside. Would recommend to everyone!" - Gary
Experience ultimate comfort and confidence with Prevail Overnight Absorbency Unisex Underwear, designed for extended and overnight leakage protection. Featuring MaxSorb Gel technology, Omni-Odor Guard, and Skin Smart Fabric with natural botanicals, these pull-ups keep you dry, fresh, and protect sensitive skin for up to 10 hours.
Key Benefits & Features
Hypoallergenic Skin Smart Fabric helps protect skin with Vitamin E, Aloe, and Chamomile.
MaxSorb Gel core provides maximum absorbency for moderate to heavy leaks and Omni-Odor Guard neutralizes odors instantly.
Provides up to 10 hours protection for heavier incontinence episodes and extended wear.
AirMax breathable cover helps you stay cool and comfortable by allowing air to circulate.
Customer Review of Carewell Incontinence Underwear Overnight & Heavy Full Coverage Fit: “These are the ones for me. I have tried multitudes of store and private label adult pull-ups. These for me the best of all of them. And they never leak." - Connie M.
These TENA pull-ups are specifically designed for overnight use. The core has "lie down protection," preventing moisture from leaking from the waist or leg cuffs. The soft, stretchy material fits like regular underwear, and the tear-away sides make changes a breeze. These pull-ups are an excellent choice if you or your loved one have sensitive skin. They've received an endorsement from the Skin Health Alliance –– a panel of dermatology experts that independently ensure products are safe for the skin.
Key Benefits & Features:
Body-Close™ fit and fully breathable innovative "W"-shaped high absorbency zone draws liquids away from the skin
New ConfioAir® technology helps retain the skin's natural moisture balance
The backing has a wide pad for increased absorbency and protection.
Customer Review of Prevail Overnight Adult Incontinence Pull-On Underwear: "They are more absorbent that the "cheaper" brand I was using. They also fit better, I love them...I don't have to change as often." - Larry K.
These pull-ups can be worn day or night. But the 'body-close fit' and increased absorbency make them ideal for people with mild or moderate urinary incontinence. Like the ProSkin overnight series above, these incontinence briefs have received an endorsement from the Skin Health Alliance –– a panel of skin health experts responsible for verifying that products are safe on the skin.
Key Benefits & Features:
Features New ConfioAir® fully breathable technology to maintain your skin's natural moisture balance
Have a W-shaped fully breathable dual absorption zone, keeping the skin comfortable and dry
Leg gathers are soft and contain a urine leakage barrier protection system to keep liquids off the skin
Customer Review of TENA ProSkin Extra Protective Incontinence Underwear: "The style of this brand is really nice, closest to regular underwear (without the pouch for men) that I have yet to find. I buy these for my husband and he likes the feel of the material very much - breathes much better than others we have tried. They don't hang low under his private parts and yet are not tight or pinch." - Sandra P.
These pull-up diapers have a unisex design that supports the male and female anatomy. They have a stretchy elastic waist and soft comfort-fit fabric that's easy on the skin. The cloth-like material isn't noisy (like some diapers with tabs). And the briefs fit discreetly under almost any type of clothing, including slacks, leggings, and dresses.
Key Benefits & Features:
No rubber or latex (ideal for people with skin allergies)
Cloth-like backing that's soft on the skin
Breathable fabric allows moisture to escape, reducing the risk of diaper rashes and other skin problems
Absorbent core locks in odor and moisture, keeping you comfortable and clean
Customer Review of Attends Maximum Pull-Up Underwear: "These are great for my special needs 4-year-old. He outgrew pull-ups and overnight diapers. These are durable and do not rip when we put them on our son. They do not irritate his skin and he has sensitive skin. Great for larger kids who are not yet potty trained." - Jenna N.
Price: $19.94 - $83.28
Closing out our list of best pull-up diapers for sensitive skin is Seni active super plus underwear. These pull-ups are made with athletes, runners, and other active people in mind. For example, they're an excellent option if you're in physical or occupational therapy and recovering from surgery or a stroke. The pull-ups support urine and bowel incontinence and can be worn for hours at a time. Some users even tell us they wear these incontinence briefs overnight.
Key Benefits & Features:
Perfect for active people
The breathable outer layer allows moisture to evaporate, promoting a skin-friendly microclimate
Absorbent core locks in moisture to prevent skin irritation. Also reduces bacterial growth, reducing the risk of diaper rash or infection
Soft and delicate materials for maximum skin comfort
Contains no rubber or latex
Customer Review of Seni Active Super Plus Underwear: "I've spent years struggling with inferior products before discovering Seni just a few months ago, I love this company. The Seni Active Super Plus is fantastic. The fit is amazing, it feels really comfortable, and the absorbancy is amazing. I love these Pull-ups. You really can't tell you're wearing one, not bulky at all. Extremely form-fitting. Trust me here folks, look no further, Seni has you covered, literally." - Gregory S.
Carewell Overnight Underwear, Leak Resistant, is an excellent choice for anyone with sensitive skin. Its breathable, gentle fabrics and quick-absorption channels rapidly draw moisture away, offering up to 12 hours of dependable leak and odor protection. Designed for heavy incontinence, the innovative, body-forming core can hold up to four cups of liquid while helping to maintain your skin's dryness. Enjoy a confident, gap-free fit and ultimate comfort for a truly restful night.
Key Benefits & Features:
Pull on style absorbs up to 4 cups of liquid (Small absorbs 3 cups)
Innovative larger body-forming core with rapid-absorption channels
Available in sizes Small through XXL
Made in the USA with U.S. and imported materials
Customer Review of Carewell Overnight Incontinence Pull-Up Underwear, Leak Resistant: “ Great new product! My husband used another brand name overnight pull-up day and night for the past 2 years, which worked well but very expensive. The new Carewell overnight underwear is just as absorbent, but seems easier to put on and gives a more comfortable fit - very soft. You also can't beat the price! Well done Carewell!" - Vern R.
Before you buy skin-friendly pull-ups for yourself or a loved one, it's essential to consider several factors, including:
Absorbency: How much incontinence protection do you need? If you only have accidents occasionally, a product with mild absorbency should be fine. But if you experience voids regularly, look for something with moderate to heavy absorbency. If necessary, you can even increase your level of incontinence protection with a booster pad.
Odor prevention: Concerned about unpleasant smells? All modern pull-ups have technology that helps lock in odors, so you can feel confident about whatever you're doing.
Type of incontinence: Do you have urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or both? Make sure you choose a pull-up designed for your specific situation.
Allergy triggers: Are there certain materials that cause your skin to become red or irritated? Skin-friendly pull-ups are typically not made with latex or other similar materials.
Lifestyle: How do you spend most of your time? If you're independent and still go to work, it's important to have a pull-up that's discreet but comfortable. Conversely, if you spend most of your time in bed, you need a pull-up that offers special leak protection. Consider your daily routine before making a purchase.
The best way to choose a pull-up diaper for sensitive skin is to look at the materials used and the technologies featured. Most skin-friendly pull-ups are hypoallergenic, meaning they use materials less likely to trigger allergic reactions. For example, skin-friendly pull-ups generally don't have rubber or latex. They're typically made from plant-based textiles and aren't infused with artificial fragrances or lotions.
The easiest way to find the right size of pull-up is to take two measurements:
First, measure the width of your or your loved one's waist (just below the belly button).
Second, measure the width of your or your loved one's hips (in inches).
Write both numbers down and compare them to the "size chart" for the pull-ups you're considering. Pull-up size charts have "brackets" with waist/hip measurements. Need help sizing? Call our Care Specialists at (800) 696-2273.
Pull-ups are like regular underwear in that they should fit comfortably beneath your clothing and hug your skin. If the waist or leg gathers pinch or squeeze, the pull-up is too tight. Likewise, if the pull-up bunches up or doesn't prevent leaks, it's too big.
If you have eczema, contact dermatitis, or other skin-related allergies, finding a pull-up that's both absorbent and won't trigger your symptoms can seem like a nearly impossible task.
Fortunately, most manufacturers of incontinence products now create pull-ups and diapers specifically for people with sensitive skin.
Our friendly Care Specialists can make personalized recommendations based on your lifestyle and needs. Call (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com. We're here to help and look forward to assisting you!
Since there are so many male incontinence products, we’ve created this round-up of our 7 best pull-up underwear for men. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be familiar with some of the brands in the space, know which features to look for, and how to choose the perfect fit.
Read More >
Incontinence is really common. In fact, more than 25 million Americans deal with incontinence. Thankfully, incontinence products, like adult pull-up diapers (aka protective underwear), can prevent leaks, keep your skin dry, and provide an extra layer of protection. Below you’ll find step-by-step guides on how to put a pull-up on yourself and someone else.
Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
