Why Natural Fibres Are Better for Your Skin

Written by Sarah Reddington.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent time thinking about what goes on your
skin in terms of creams, soaps, and laundry powders. But have you ever stopped to consider the fibres touching your skin from the clothes you and your family wear 24/7?. It’s
something I’ve come to care deeply about on our low-tox journey.

Our skin is our largest organ and, believe it or not, it absorbs more from our environment
than we realise. That’s why shifting towards natural fibres is one of those small swaps that
can make a big difference.

Cotton, linen, wool, and other natural fibres are far kinder to sensitive or allergy-prone skin. They let your skin breathe and don’t trap heat and sweat like synthetics do. But here’s a fact worth remembering:

 “Many synthetic fabrics are produced with chemicals like formaldehyde, azo dyes, and even flame retardants, some of which can be absorbed through the skin with prolonged contact. Even worse, they can release microplastics, which are harmful to our health.”

Many of these chemicals also persist in our environment.

It’s shocking, isn’t it? Especially when you consider how long our skin is in contact with
pyjamas or underwear. While research is ongoing, I know one of the easiest swaps you can
make is switching to natural fabrics where possible for your family.

This doesn’t mean you need to throw out everything you own. Instead, each time you buy a new item, opt for 100% cotton (ideally organic), wool, or linen to minimise exposure to
unwanted chemicals or toxins.

Just remember small changes over time really do add up, and the clothing you and your
family wear is a great place to start.

A special thank you to Sarah Reddington for taking the time to write this blog and share with you all the importance of natural organic fibres. Find out more about Sarah at  www.lowtoxrabbit.com 

References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393082347_Formaldehyde_Usage_in_Fashion_I
ndustry_Environmental_and_Health_Implications
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6133113/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316044390_Toxicity_of_Synthetic_Fibres_and_
Human_Health_OPEN_ACCESS
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28655654/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10934529.2025.2514406

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39053776/

Human health risks due to exposure to inorganic and organic chemicals from textiles: A
review - ScienceDirect