‘My period cramps were so bad I felt sick but this £25 item made it manageable’

Riley’s organic cotton period products are completely free from toxins and chlorine

If there’s one thing I can count on every single month, it’s the sense of impending doom that creeps in just before my period arrives. The cramps, the bloating, the general feeling of ugh. Some months are manageable; others are so painful I’ve had to take time off work and spend the day glued to Netflix and my duvet.

Like many women, I’ve always defaulted to whatever period products are on offer at the supermarket, but I never really feel good about buying them. But Riley, a female-founded, B Corp-certified period care brand, could change that.

Riley promises high-performing period care made with 100% organic cotton, completely free from toxins, plastic and chlorine. Beyond the products themselves, the brand is also big on impact: it supports menstrual health education across the UK, Kenya and Ireland, and donates 1% of every sale to related causes.

And for anyone who’s ever been caught short at the worst possible moment, Riley also offers a flexible subscription service that delivers every three or six months, with shoppers able to pause, edit, or cancel at any time.

I recently had the chance to try three of Riley’s products: organic panty liners (£8.39 for 24), organic cotton tampons (£5.09 for 12 light tampons), and a flaxseed heated pad (£25.19) designed to help soothe cramps. But could they make that time of the month more bearable?

My honest review of Riley

The panty liners

Straight out of the box, the first thing I noticed was how light these panty liners felt compared to others I’ve tried. They’re noticeably thinner, which came in handy when I needed to throw a few into my handbag; no bulky crinkling or awkward reshaping to make them fit.

When it came to actually using one, the liner peeled away easily from both the backing film and the packaging, both of which are biodegradable (a small detail, but one that matters). Once on, it was discreet and genuinely breathable.

Usually, wearing a liner for more than a couple of hours leaves me feeling uncomfortably hot, but there were several points when I actually forgot I was wearing one. Performance-wise, I didn’t experience any leaking at all, and perhaps most importantly, there was zero irritation ‘down there’ – something I’ve definitely had issues with when using other brands in the past.

Panty liners are ideal for everyday discharge, light spotting, and those pre- and post-period days when users want a bit of extra protection without committing to a full pad. That said, for more coverage, Riley also offers larger sanitary pads in the same 100% organic cotton, toxin-free design.

The tampons

Riley offers both ‘naked’ tampons and ones with applicators, and I opted for the latter. I was curious about how the brand would replace the usual plastic applicator – but it turns out, very cleverly. The applicator is made from recyclable, sustainably sourced sugarcane, and impressively, it feels almost identical to the plastic versions most will be used to.

In fact, if I hadn’t known in advance, I’d not have been able to tell the difference at all. In use, the tampons were absorbent without feeling dry, and I experienced zero irritation. Another thoughtful detail: the tampon strings are woven directly into the product rather than glued on, as with many mainstream brands.

The only slight downside worth mentioning is that the price increases depending on absorbency level, which may give heavier users pause. That said, it’s understandable given that more material is required, and the quality does go some way to justifying the cost.

The flaxseed heated pad

Cramps are by far the worst part of my period, and I get them badly to the point where I’ve vomited from the pain. This time around, the cramps were still very much present, but the heated pad made a noticeable difference.

After just two minutes in the microwave, it was ready to soothe my weary stomach. Its semi-circular shape makes it easy to place either across my abdomen or behind my lower back (ideal for working from home days), and it’s soft and flexible enough to mould naturally to your body. Unlike hot water bottles I’ve used in the past, it doesn’t feel stiff or awkward, and it stays warm for a reassuring amount of time.

However, some hot water bottles now come in longer forms, so they’re easier to tuck behind the lower back and around the stomach. Dunelm’s Teddy Bear Long Hot Water Bottle (£7) and Habitat’s Long Hot Water Bottle (£12) are made to lie across the body, helping to distribute heat more evenly and keep larger areas warm.

I’ll be honest: when the pain peaked, I still reached for a couple of paracetamol. But the Riley heatpad significantly eased the discomfort and made everything feel more manageable. Plus, it’s infused with lavender and chamomile, so it smells calming rather than faintly rubbery.

In fact, I’ve found myself reaching for the heatpad even when I’m not on my period. It’s been a go-to on cold days, and surprisingly comforting when I’ve been feeling stressed or anxious – proof that this one earns its keep well beyond that time of the month.