How to Choose Clothing for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin skincare has become more popular over the years. In fact, a quick search on the web shows thousands of creams, balms, and soaps that target specific skin conditions. However, have you ever thought about clothing for sensitive skin?
Like skincare, clothing can be an extremely beneficial factor in healing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea and much more. This is for 2 main reasons:
1) Opting for clothing that uses more natural, non-synthetic fibers can actually improve skin conditions. Much clothing today is manufactured with synthetic materials like polyester and latex, as well as dye chemicals like formaldehyde. These types of clothing can actually further irritate skin and trigger skin conditions like eczema due to an allergic reaction. In fact – textile dermatitis, latex hypersensitivity and polyester allergies are real! Check out our Guide to Textile Dermatitis to learn more about these types of reactions.
2) Many forms of clothing can offer relief to sensitive skin through nourishing fibers such as 100% organic cotton, bamboo cotton, as well as TENCEL. Not only do these fibers feel like a second skin, but they’re usually soft, cooling and moisture wicking. This soft clothing for sensitive skin by Remedywear can also double up as layers for wet wrap and dry wrapping eczema therapy.
ILW Recommends Eczema Clothing for Babies and Children: Our Recommendations
Clothing for Sensitive Skin: Materials
100% Organic Cotton
If your skin reacts to almost anything, then 100% organic cotton clothing is usually the best option. Organic cotton is grown without the use of both toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. In fact, unlike synthetic materials it is one of the most well known materials that do not irritate skin.
However, it’s important to know whether soft clothing for sensitive skin is actually organic and free of harmful chemicals by looking at certifications like the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® – an independent lab testing fabrics for chemicals or the Global Organic Textile Standard.
To learn more about organic, GMO-free cotton, make sure to check out our post: Why You Should Choose Organic Cotton Clothing for Kids With Eczema & Sensitive Skin. In it, we discuss why 100% organic cotton clothing makes a great choice for healing sensitive skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and much more.
Also make sure to check out The Eczema Company’s selection of 100% cotton clothing for eczema sufferers. Some excellent options are ScratchSleeves, Scratch Mittens Pajama Top for Kids and Adults, as well as these Cottonique underwear, bras and socks.
Bamboo
Another well-known natural fiber that is bamboo. Look for OEKO certified bamboo clothing to ensure they do not use toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to manufacturer the bamboo fibers. Clothing for sensitive skin that is made from this fiber is usually extremely cooling, as bamboo makes for a very lightweight material.
Some of our favorite bamboo clothing for sensitive skin includes Bamboo Eczema Gloves for Adults, and Bamboo Eczema Gloves for Kids.
TENCEL ( with Zinc!)
Although 100% organic cotton and bamboo are some of the most popular materials for sensitive skin, TENCEL is becoming more popular among those with sensitive skin conditions.
TENCEL is a natural fiber that is made of renewable birch pulp. It has absolutely no impurities and is both eco-friendly and contains harsh chemcials from planting all the way to thread and fabric creation. The addition of zinc helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria – which is perfect for those who might be suffering from skin infections. Zinc oxide is a compound that can be found in various skincare products as it is known for it’s ability to reduce inflammation. In fact, zinc oxide powder is the active ingredient in calamine lotion and most diaper rash creams – good bye red, irritated skin! Not only does zinc stop bacterial growth and blocks odor, but it’s also been proven to soothe skin.
Remedywear™, clothes for eczema are made from TENCEL and zinc. You can read more about zinc oxide for eczema clothes. Dermatologists in a recent study [1] found that a group of patients with atopic dermatitis noted rapid improvement of eczema severity, less redness and itching and improved sleep quality after using the same fabric blend of TENCEL and zinc as found in Remedywear.
Remedywear was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™.
These garments are perfect for all types of sensitive skin including:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Rashes
- Acne
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Diaper Rash
Not only is Remedywear clothing soothing, but it is 100% allergy friendly, as well as moisture wicking and it offers sun protection with 35-50+ UV protection. That’s some powerful fabric!
Some of our favorite Remedywear garments include:
- Remedywear Long Shirt for Kids
- Remedywear Long Shirt for Adults
- Remedywear Pants for Kids
- Remedywear Pants for Adults
- Remedywear Sleeves for Kids and Adults
- Remedywear Bra
- Remedywear Scarf for Kids
- Remedywear Scarf for Adults
- Remedywear Eye Mask for Kids
- Remedywear Eye Mask for Adults
- Remedywear Hat for Adults
- Remedywear Hat for Kids
- Remedywear Boxer
Discover the full line of Remedywear clothing for eczema sensitive skin. For more information on Remedywear, make sure to check out our blog post: Using Clothing for Eczema Therapy: Introducing Remedywear!
What we wear is often overlooked in terms of triggering eczema! Organic cotton works best for us…. Loved this article. Very informative ?
What about seamless. The seams in my t-shirts really chafe my skin. I am looking for seamless t-shirts.
I’ve found baseball style (raglan sleeve) T’s are best for around my armpit, and avoid necklines that rub on my collarbone. I also wear shirts inside-out if they’re going to be under something else. A tighter sleeve doesn’t rub as much, also. Have you tried bag balm and cornstarch on sensitive areas? A little messy, though…
Yes, the seams are much of the problem. Part of this is because the manufacturers of hypo-allergic clothing concentrate on the fabric. In letters and emails, they often have no idea what garments are seen with. A recent exchange with one that was new to me, the writer admitted that they had not thought about the seams. They were not using cotton. I wear my t-shirts wrong side out to minimize the width of Sean that actually touches my skin. It looks dumb but it helps.
I wear much of my clothes inside out too, but have still been having a lot of skin problems. Does anyone know of some cheaper options? I’d love to get some remedywear, but can’t afford $80 for one t shirt.
The problem with buying organic clothing is the quality from the makers of organic clothing stinks. They skimp on the materials to make them. The underwear is also too think and retains too much body heat.
When it comes to shirts I seem to have as much of a problem with the shirt bothering my skin. Maybe I am sensitive to the plants being used as a dye?
I also have an allergy to spandex and for that reason I cannot wear briefs but when I wear boxers they bunch up in the groin area in my pants and they ride up. I have to wear baggy pants to compensate for the material in the shorts bunching up.
I also have an allergy to anti-wrinkle but it seems most 100% cotton pants out their for men have either anti-wrinkle or spandex or both in them. Finding clothing to put on my back continues to be a frustrating experience.
I’m thinking same thing omg I’ve. Been itching so bad I think mines def spandex etc
Then shirts make me
Itch too sheww this is awful