The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to polluting our world, and ultimately our skin. Unfortunately, most synthetic fabrics are derived from artificial materials which aren’t biodegradable and cannot decompose easily. There used to be a dilemma with making an environmentally sustainable clothing choice: save the planet or save your skin. Luckily, these days, we can have both. 

So, why not make the direct shift to a fabric that's less harmful to our skin and our planet at the same time?

Chemicals

Fibres that have been processed for clothing are typically produced with many unfriendly chemicals that are also damaging to our skin. Unlike natural fibres, the process of making synthetic materials include some of the worst toxic chemicals such as those found in hair/skincare and cleaning products: namely Formaldehyde, PTS, carbonyl acid, chemical dyes and processing agents.

Polyesters are without a doubt the most popular of all synthetic materials, and the cheapest to produce. As its usually blended with other materials, this can give it a ‘natural’ soft feeling that dilutes the true synthetic feeling of polyester.

Many of these chemicals are overlooked and assumed to be non-toxic to the average person's skin. However, clothing that has been processed in these chemicals can lead to many unwanted forms of skin conditions and allergies. The rise of fast fashion has meant that many people have previously chosen low prices over sustainability. However, this does not need to be the case any longer as more companies have made the decision to support sustainable practices instead.

There is value for the consumer too - sustainable purchases last approximately twice as long than the typical choice of fast fashion, meaning you can get more wear out of your items, for longer.

Sustainability

The choice of moving from a processed fabric to a natural one is clearly a more sustainable way forward. Cotton, linen and wool are the most commonly used sustainable fabrics, along with hemp. Fabric choice directly affects the raw farm sourcing it, along with the inevitable chemical processing that comes with it.

Another fabrics that has come into popularity recently is bamboo. Bamboo not only allows for a softer cotton finish it is a more durable fabric and it's a more suitable fabric choice for the environment. In terms of modern fashion and fabrics, bamboo has been preferred in many types of garments including socks and bamboo underwear for women. Environmentally-friendly fabrics are easy to find if you know where to look, and the companies making the shift to implement these fabrics are staking their claim for a better future.

The New Norm

There are heaps of natural fabrics that all have their own individual characteristics, and this is another one of the reasons why we will begin to purchase them. For instance, if you're looking to update your wardrobe or bedroom linens, it might be the opportunity to embrace some of the alternative options on the market which are in many ways, a more superior choice.

And if you're thinking that natural fabrics are rough, unrefined sack-type materials, in reality it's really quite the opposite. Because these textiles are derived from naturally sourced plants, flax, cotton, bamboo and even cannabis, your skin will be thankful for the soft and hypoallergenic properties a lot of these fabrics possess.

On the contrary; viscose, polyester, nylon and latex have proved to be irritable to allergy-prone skin. Combined with the fact that many synthetic fabrics are toxic and are embedded with harmful chemicals that can be absorbed by your skin, and the unsustainable processes that come with sourcing these materials, perhaps one of the first questions you should ask yourself is:

Can you afford to NOT shift to natural fabrics? The answer will be no.

Will your skin love you more for it? The answer will be yes.

Are you indirectly helping the future of the sustainable fashion industry? Yes. 

In summary, having natural fabrics in your wardrobe and home linens will undoubtedly benefit your lifestyle and ease any skin troubles you may have . The extra investment will positively change the future of our fashion industry and you will end up with a longer-lasting purchase you can be enjoy. With all of these benefits and more, it's well worth the time and effort to invest in natural fabrics.