It is considered a natural material, skin-friendly, breathable and soft. Cotton has a reputation for being good for sensitive skin. But what if the exact opposite happens? When a T-shirt, duvet or underwear made from "100 % cotton" suddenly causes itching, redness or even small pustules?
The answer lies deeper than you might think. And it often begins not with, but under the skin - and above all: before you buy.
Not all cotton is the same
The term "cotton" suggests naturalness - but the fabric that ultimately touches our skin often has a long chemical journey behind it. From the use of pesticides during cultivation, bleaching agents and dyes to softeners, fixing agents and textile resins - even a simple cotton shirt is not automatically skin-friendly.
Fun Fact: In many cases, it is not the cotton itself that itches - but what sticks to it.
When organic doesn't help - individual skin reactions
Even certified organic cotton can be itchy. Why? Because not every skin reacts the same way:
Some people are sensitive to natural residues in the fibre (e.g. plant resins)
Others react to detergent residues - even after purchase
Or: The skin barrier is disturbed (e.g. due to neurodermatitis, microcracks, dry heating air)
Particularly treacherous: Cotton is absorbent - it not only absorbs water, but also sweat, skin oils and detergent. If the clothing is washed too rarely or too hot, it can become accumulate irritants or germs.
Feeling clothes - an underestimated sensory impression
Itchy skin caused by cotton does not only affect allergy sufferers. Rather, the feeling is often caused by a combination of:
Friction (e.g. with tight underwear, bra straps or waistband seams)
Heat & moisture (under jumpers, in duvets)
Micro-injuries due to coarse weaves or poor workmanship
Here the problem Sensory: The skin interprets the sensation as unpleasant - even without a visible reaction.
The solution rarely lies in the pharmacy - but in the label
If you immediately reach for a cream when you have itchy skin, you are often only combating the symptoms. The better way is: Reading, feeling, observing. Because not all cotton is equally soft, equally processed or equally pure.
3 reflex questions for itchy clothing:
Does the fabric feel comfortable on dry skin - or only when you try it on?
Are the clothes new and unwashed - or perhaps washed?
Does the itching only occur in certain areas - or over a large area?
Conclusion - cotton is not your enemy. But it's not automatically your friend either.
Anyone who experiences itchy skin due to cotton is not an isolated case - but part of an invisible everyday problem that lies between the textile industry, skin physiology and consumer behaviour.
The good news is that in most cases a closer look, a different cut or a better detergentto get rid of the problem permanently. Because skincare doesn't start in the bathroom - it starts when you get dressed.
