F L A U N T
For those 85.4 million people suffering from a skin condition, from acne to psoriasis, the sheets you put on your bed can be downright critical. Suffice it to say that when you learn the chemicals used to make sheets, skin condition or not, you will want to reconsider what you are jumping into for a ‘peaceful’ night’s sleep. Just Google “harmful chemicals in your bedding,” and it will get you motivated.
If you have a compromised skin barrier, substances like benzothiazole, often used in dyes and manufacturing textiles, have an easier time penetrating the skin and causing irritation or worsening the condition. Even without a skin condition, a study published in Environmental and Pollution Science International shows that benzothiazole compounds used in textiles or other consumer products have the potential to migrate from the product onto the skin and be absorbed into the body, which could pose health risks, particularly with prolonged or repeated exposure.
Renowned biotech scientist, Dr. Barbara Paldus, Founder & CEO of Codex Labs and Director at EWG, recommends researching the textiles you sleep on as they can affect your skin health. Standard fabrics like conventional cotton, silk, or bamboo viscose are treated with harmful chemicals that can disrupt the skin's natural microbiome. But buyers beware of the “greenwashers” cherry-picking the positives and glossing over the toxic chemicals used in processing.
Kat Dey, co-founder of ettitude, the material innovation company behind the groundbreaking CleanBamboo® fabric, adds, “The presence of harmful chemicals in bedding is vast, as are the potential impacts on health and the environment. Many manufacturers gloss over or greenwash those facts.”
Dey explains, “The chemicals commonly found in bedding include: chlorine, flame retardants, phthalates, formaldehyde, pesticides, and heavy metals, among others. These chemicals can adversely affect hormone levels, immune function, organ health, and reproductive health. They also have a negative environmental impact, including soil, waterways, and air pollution.”
Dr. Paldus recommends ettitude’s CleanBamboo®, which uses food-grade solvents and low impact dyes, making it the safest option for people’s skin. She adds that CleanBamboo sheets and fabrics are not only soft and smooth but also reduce skin creases and irritation. “Protecting the skin barrier and its microbiome is one of the most important aspects of skin health.”
Cotton and silk are the most commonly recommended fabrics for sheets, but they pose significant issues for individuals with skin conditions as well as for the environment. Cotton's abrasive fibers can irritate sensitive skin, exacerbating conditions like eczema or dermatitis. Additionally, its absorbent properties create a damp environment conducive to bacterial and fungal growth, further aggravating skin issues. In addition, chemical residues from conventional cotton production processes may remain on textiles, potentially causing allergic reactions or contact dermatitis. Furthermore, cotton production is associated with significant environmental degradation, including water pollution, soil degradation and the highest CO2 emissions for textile manufacturing.
While smooth and luxurious, Silk undergoes a chemical-intensive manufacturing process, compromising its sustainability and exposing users to harmful chemicals that can also disrupt skin health. Dey elaborates, “People are considering silk as a healthy alternative, as a beauty product for their skin. But there are real problems with silk other than it being incredibly unsustainable. Toxic chemicals are used in the cleaning and dyeing processes. You don't want those harmful substances on your skin. So even though it's very smooth, which is what people want for preventing fine lines and wrinkles, they end up inadvertently laying their heads down at night on harmful chemicals. Likewise, silk sheets need to be dry-cleaned. Again, horrible chemicals are used. Silk also shrinks and resists heat and doesn’t do well in UV light, which means it fades.”
ettitude's CleanBamboo sheets offer a non-toxic alternative to traditional bedding materials. Utilizing organically grown bamboo and non-harmful, gentle processing methods, CleanBamboo sheets eliminate exposure to harmful chemicals. Using nontoxic dyes and eco-friendly packaging further highlights ettitude's commitment to providing safe and sustainable bedding options. CleanBamboo fabrics have received the highest certification—Oeko-Tex Class I—which guarantees safety even for babies. One ettitude customer shares, “I bought the sheet for my granddaughter who suffers from eczema. The sheets are cool and soft, so they don’t scratch her sensitive skin.”
Exposure to toxic chemicals in bedding poses significant health risks, including disruptions to hormone levels, skin barrier function, and overall well-being. Chemical residues from conventional bedding materials can penetrate the skin, aggravating existing skin conditions and posing long-term health risks with prolonged exposure.
Prioritizing skin health begins with the bedding we choose; ettitude's CleanBamboo sheets offer a multifaceted solution that not only addresses skin conditions but also improves sleep quality, comfort and environmental sustainability. With superior moisture management and temperature regulation capabilities, CleanBamboo fabric provides a more comfortable sleep experience while championing environmental sustainability. By opting for nontoxic options like ettitude's CleanBamboo, we not only safeguard our skin but also contribute to a greener, more regenerative future. It's time to rethink what we're sleeping in and prioritize our well-being.
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