Synthetic verses Natural Fabrics

a selection of materials to create healthy fabrics.

When it comes to picking healthy fabrics, nothing can beat plant-based products. Once you consider factors such as the type of skin you have, local climate conditions, and any allergies or sensitivities you may have, you can choose from a range of natural fabrics that are great for your skin. They are gentle on your skin and help you avoid rashes.

These skin-friendly fabrics top the list:

Cotton

Soft, light, and highly absorbent, cotton makes comfortable, classy, healthy fabrics for all ages. This natural, hypoallergenic, soft fabric is considered best for a new baby’s smooth skin. Cotton clothing is great for those with hot flashes as the fabric helps with temperature regulation. These fabrics also make an affordable solution for your bed sheets, towels, T-shirts, and trousers.

Untreated organic cotton is best for your skin. If you are a fan of printed fabrics, check for the ones that contain natural dyes. The high-breathability of cotton makes it the best fabric for your skin, especially if you are living in hot, humid conditions.

However, conventional cotton is heavily sprayed with insecticides, which pose a great threat to the environment. Furthermore, making the fabric involves a high level of resources and intensive labor. The textile finishing process also involves heavy chemicals which can include carcinogenic dyes. The harmful chemicals from these fabrics can penetrate into the pores of your skin and settle down in your body leading to various health issues. Thus, it’s best to look for organic and naturally-dyed cotton fabrics.

Flax

Flax is more sustainable than cotton as it can thrive on minimal irrigation and is naturally insect repellant, thus eliminating the need for pesticides. Made from the flax plant, linen fabrics are healthy fabrics for your skin and make a great style statement as well. Linen is naturally anti-bacterial, non-allergenic, and anti-static, and regulates temperature. Further, the fabric is capable of absorbing moisture to help keep your skin from feeling damp.

Hemp

The hemp plant contains sustainable fiber and grows rapidly with less water than cotton requires. Fabrics from hemp are highly durable, making them last longer than other natural fibers. Further, the natural coloring in hemp fabrics reduces the need for dyes, making them even more skin-friendly. Another great thing about this durable fabric is it softens with every wash. Further, the dense foliage of hemp plants is excellent for counteracting harmful greenhouse gases.

Silk woman in a silk shawl is one of many healthy fabricsStrongest of all fabrics and breathable in nature, silk fabric is a natural temperature regulator which retains your body’s heat during cold weather and repels excess heat in warm weather. The fabric is hypoallergenic, thus keeping away dust mites and fungus. People with AFS should consider wearing light silk clothing as they tend to have weak immunity and can develop sensitivity to dust mites. The extremely smooth finish of silk fabric is gentle on your skin thus making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or with skin problems such as eczema or rashes. Peo- ple who have received chemotherapy find relief in silk clothing as the fabric is light, soft, and does not cause friction on the skin.

People supporting animal rights tend to avoid wearing silk garments, however. This is because several silkworm farms engage in killing the pupae prior to harvesting silk from the cocoon. Ahimsa silk, also referred to as peace silk, is preferred as the silk is harvested after larvae emerge from the cocoon.

Merino Wool

Soft and gentle on skin, merino wool keeps you warm without causing any irritation. Clothing made of this wool helps retain your skin’s moisture. The incredible breathability of merino wool sets it apart from other wool, making it one of the best healthy fabrics. Merino wool is capable of releasing any excess warmth to prevent overheating, thus regulating your body temperature. This can prove especially helpful for people in the advanced stages of adrenal fatigue having issues in regulating body temperature.

Further, research shows that merino wool has therapeutic properties. The unique moisture content management of the soft wool could prove beneficial for eczema sufferers. A twelve-week clinical trial with eczema sufferers showed that wearing superfine merino wool clothing with a mean diameter equal to or less than 17.5 microns helped reduce symptoms.

Fabrics To Stay Away From

Synthetic fabrics restrict your skin from breathing. Further, they also contain chemical dyes harmful to your health. Other, natural fabrics are not so good for your health or the environment. Here is a list of some fabrics you need to stay away from:

Wool

Being a natural material produced from sheep, wool breathes easily. However, the downside of wool is that it can trigger eczema flareups and can cause irritation even on normal skin. Further, sheep emit dangerous methane gases that are harmful to the environment. They are also often dipped in an insecticide bath for parasite control. Artificial dyes and bleaching agents are used to get the finished product which can irritate the skin. Merino wool is superior as it keeps you warm without irritating the skin.

Polyester

If you have issues with your body temperature regulation, then you need to stay away from polyester clothing. Clinical trials show that wearing polyester reduces the hydration of your skin making it dry and causing skin irritation.

Satin

Produced from polyester and nylon, satin does not allow your skin to breathe. Though it might feel smooth on your skin, wearing satin clothes for longer hours especially during summer is not a wise idea. The fabric does not allow moisture and air to pass through it. The result - sweat - does not easily evaporate from your body, thus leaving behind body odor and clogged skin pores.

Conclusion

Fabrics play a significant role in the health of your skin. Your skin is always in contact with clothing, so selecting the right fabrics is important. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, satin, nylon, and rayon can restrict your skin from breathing, cause rashes and clog skin pores. Further, the chemicals from synthetic fabrics can enter your skin pores and settle into your system, increasing the toxic load on your