The honest self-care

“Why is everybody wearing plastic? Don’t you care?”

Does a plastic bag keep you warm? No. Is a plastic bag breathable? No. So why would anybody use it to make a winter sweater?

Well, simply because it’s very cheap.This is why not only fast fashion brands use plastic fibers.

But everything you want in life has a price.

To make the plastic sweater not scratchy but nice and cozy, plasticizers are added. These are the same substances banned in baby toys and items that meet food.

Because if the plasticizers get into your body (and they do so through your skin), they act like natural hormones and negatively affect your metabolism.  For example, many of these cause cancers or reduce fertility.

Plastic fibers prevent the skin from „breathing“.

Every person transpires evaporates about 800 ml of water through the skin every day. The plastics retain the escaping water. It remains under the clothing and we feel „sweaty“. This alone makes us feel uncomfortable.

In addition, this creates an oxygen-poor, warm, and humid climate on the skin. Bacteria adapted to these conditions are in paradise. They multiply strongly, feed on the sweat on our skin and decompose it. This decomposition process produces the very typical odor of sweat.

If you frequently wear clothing made of plastic, the skin microbiome changes step-by-step. Harmful bacteria and fungi can cause skin irritations, pimples, and rashes.

Super fluffy and super deadly?

And finally, somewhat dramatically, when a polyacrylic plastic fiber is heated, hydrogen cyanide or cyanide is produced. This is highly toxic and even deadly. If the fiber meets fire – a tiny candle flame is enough – the sweater is on fire.

Most super fluffy scarves, hats and sweaters available in stores are now made of polyacryl. If a luxury sweater is still sold for 200 euros, there is a huge profit margin.

Short overview:

Material name	Used for	Good to wear?	Sustainability
POLYACRYL/ACRYL	Sweaters, Scarfs, Socks	NO	NO
POLYESTER	Sportswear Outdoorclothing Everyday tops, bottoms	YES YES NO	OK (if long lasting) OK (if long lasting) NO
POLYAMID/NYLON	Outdoor clothing Everyday tops, bottoms	YES NO	OK (if long lasting) NO
ELASTANE / LYCRA /SPANDEX/STRETCH	Additive for elasticity	OK	OK (if long lasting)