Did you know? Your skin is your largest organ. It is very absorbent. Studies show that over 60% of what we put on our skin penetrates beneath it. Be mindful of what clothing you wear, as your skin can also absorb toxins.
What you wear matters. Many synthetic fabrics use chemicals. They are a quick and easy solution to make cheap and marketable clothing.
- Formaldehyde helps prevent wrinkles. (It can also cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. It is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer.)
- PFAS makes them water-resistant. (These “forever chemicals” are linked to health issues. They can cause cancer, weaken kids’ immune systems, lead to weight gain, and more.)
- Azo dyes add color. (These synthetic compounds can cause allergies and irritate the skin. In some cases, they may even lead to bladder cancer.)
Recent studies have found that fast fashion brands, like Shein and Temu, had lead in their clothing. Yes, you read that right, lead! Exposure to lead can harm nearly every system in the body. Lead accumulates in our bones, liver, and kidneys. From a Canadian researcher – “A kid’s jacket purchased for $23 from Shein was found to contain 1702.59mg/kg of lead, which is almost 20 times the limit set by Health Canada. On the other hand, a tiny purse, also from Shein, contained 508mg/kg of lead, well over 5 times the lead threshold that is considered safe for children.”
Look for alternatives, natural fiber clothing! Natural fibers for clothes come from sustainable plant or animal sources. They are for sensitive skin, useful in all seasons, and have an extended useful life. Natural fibers need less water to grow. They use fewer harmful chemicals in processing. Also, they are biodegradable.
Common examples of plant-based natural fibers include cotton, silk, linen, and hemp. Animal-based natural fibers used in clothing are wool (like cashmere), alpaca fleece, camel hair, and spider silk.
- Cotton: Timeless Comfort – Grown from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant. It is breathable, moisture-wicking, and gentle.
- Linen: Elegant Simplicity – It comes from the thin stalks of the flax plant. It wicks away moisture with a relaxed look and feel.
- Hemp: Versatile Durability – Derived from the hemp plant. Known for its strength and durability, becoming softer with each wear.
- Wool: Nature’s Insulator – Cut from the fleece of sheep and hair of animals like goats, alpacas, and yaks. This flexible fiber controls temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold and cool when it’s hot.
- Silk: Luxurious Grace – Made from delicate threads spun by silkworms. It has a shiny look and feels soft on the skin. This makes it popular in fashion and luxury.
P.S. To make the transition to natural fiber clothing, start simple and easy. Replace your underwear. It’s a quick way to start researching companies, prices, and fabrics. You can find easily 100% organic cotton at many local big box stores, check the labels.
Some niche options are listed below but there are hundreds more! Not all products are 100% natural fibers from all sites, again, make sure you read the label!
- Kids: Q for Quinn | Crann Organic | The Simple Folk | Colored Organics
- Women: Everlane | Toad & Co
- Men: Outerknown | Harvest & Mill | Patagonia
