Warm sweaters or light dresses, our favorite sports leggings, or stylish underwear – many things around us are made of synthetic materials. Although they look nice and comfortable, they can be dangerous to your skin and your overall health.
From bad smells to the skin, rashes, nausea, or worse. Chemicals in synthetic fabrics are not the best companions for our skin.
We delved into this topic and discovered what the use of fabrics like polyester, rayon, or spandex can do for our health. Here is the list!
The Health Risks of Toxic Fibers and Fabrics
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most popular and widely used synthetic fabrics. Although it can be produced with a mixture of natural components, such as cotton, to prevent wrinkles and tears, its effect on health can still be detrimental.
The use of polyester makes it difficult for the skin to breathe. In addition, the increase in body temperature helps to release chemicals from this tissue that are then absorbed by the skin.
This can cause a variety of problems and irritations such as rash, itching, redness, eczema, and dermatitis. Therefore, it is best to avoid polyester in your clothes and also in your sheets.
Rayon (viscose)
Rayon is a fiber made from cellulose that is chemically converted from wood pulp. Not only is the production of this material dangerous, but its use can also be harmful to health.
Rayon fabric can emit toxic substances that can cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, muscle and chest pain, and insomnia. In addition to all this, its production heavily pollutes the environment.
Nylon
Socks, lingerie, underwear, pantyhose, and so many different everyday clothes are made from nylon. It is durable and not too expensive to produce, which is why it is popular.
At the same time, nylon is not the best option to use on bare skin. Clothing made of nylon does not absorb sweat from the skin, which can lead to bad odors and skin infections.
During its production, the fabric is bleached or stained with different chemicals. Using it on the skin can also cause a variety of irritations.
Acrylic
Acrylic fabrics are made from acrylonitrile, which is a carcinogenic and mutagenic substance. Exposure to this substance can cause various health problems.
These include headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, limb weakness, and many more. By wearing acrylic fabrics, you risk absorbing some of the acrylonitrile through your skin.
In addition, acrylic manufacturing is one of the main causes of environmental pollution.
Which Fabrics Are Safe To Wear
Cotton: it is breathable, absorbs fluid from the skin, protects from heat in summer and cold in winter, is hypoallergenic and durable. It is one of the best fabrics that you can use to treat your skin with maximum comfort.
Merino wool: it is a totally natural material, which regulates temperature and humidity, which does not lose its shape or decompose over time. Instead, it’s soft, lightweight, and also offers natural UV protection. Alpaca wool can also be a good alternative.
Cashmere: This is a very precious and valuable material. No heavy chemicals are used to create the silky smooth feel of cashmere, and it’s amazing and pleasant to feel on the skin all by itself.
Hemp: This fabric has served people for thousands of years. It is known for its strength and durability. It is the best natural material when it comes to keeping fit and not stretching. Also, the more you use it, the softer it becomes.
Silk: Not only does this soft fabric have a luxurious texture, but it also has many health benefits! It can delay aging, help with eczema and asthma, have an antifungal effect, help prevent allergies, and improve sleep.
Bamboo: it is an interesting new alternative to traditional natural fabrics. Bamboo fabrics are as soft and silky as other natural fabrics, but also hypoallergenic, highly breathable, and thermoregulatory. It can absorb moisture from the skin even better than cotton and protect it from UV rays like merino wool. In addition, it is biodegradable.
Linen: it is a very comfortable and durable material. It is also easy to care for and suitable for any time of the year. Like other natural textiles, it has hypoallergenic properties, is extremely comfortable, and allows the skin to breathe.
What clothes and fabrics do you prefer to wear? Do you have a lot of synthetic clothes? Let’s share the comments!
Preview photo credit depositphotos.com
