Why Bamboo Fabric is Better for Sensitive Skin (and the Planet!)
For anyone with sensitive skin, the wrong fabric can mean constant irritation, itching, overheating, or discomfort, often without realizing clothing or bedding is the cause.
Bamboo is a natural, plant-based textile made from bamboo fibres, known for its exceptional softness, breathability, and gentle feel against the skin. For those with sensitive or reactive skin, bamboo fabric offers a noticeable difference: it’s naturally smooth, hypoallergenic, and moisture-wicking, which helps to reduce irritation, overheating, and discomfort. Beyond this, bamboo is also a more sustainable choice, requiring less water and no pesticides to grow compared to conventional cotton. Choosing bamboo means prioritizing comfort, skin health, and a lower environmental impact, without sacrificing everyday ease or style.
What is Bamboo Fabric?
Bamboo fabric is made from the extracted fibres from the bamboo plant which are broken down into thin, strong threads that are spun and woven into fabric. The eco-friendliness of bamboo fabric narrows down to how it is made. When bamboo fabric production uses a closed-loop production process, this deems the fabric to be organic. Traditional viscose rayon can be harmful to the environment, but when a cautious closed-loop process is performed, the cellulose structure is not chemically altered and the solvents used in production can be reused repeatedly, significantly limiting the environmental impact.
Compared to other kinds of fabric, like cotton, bamboo is softer, more breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic, making it a perfect option for sensitive skin. With these great benefits, bamboo fabrics have been used in many different products including clothing, bedding, towels, and undergarments. Bamboo clothing is also often used for children and baby clothing and bedding as it is gentle for their sensitive skin.
What Causes Fabric Sensitivity?
Fabric sensitivity is often caused by how certain materials interact with the skin, especially through friction, heat retention, dyes, and chemical treatments. Your clothing and bedding is in close contact with your skin most of the day or night, so it should be no surprise that your shirts, pants, and undergarments can cause skin problems.
Typically, it is more likely to get textile dermatitis from clothing made with synthetics, such as polyester, rayon, nylon, spandex, or rubber. These fabrics are not known for their breathability, and so they can cause increased sweating which can get trapped in the synthetic fibres.
Asides from the fabric itself, the dye or other chemicals used to process the fabric can be the culprit. The combination of synthetic fabric, chemicals, harmful dyes, and tight-fitting clothing can all contribute to irritation on your skin.
Why Bamboo Fabric is Better for Sensitive Skin?
Did you know Terrera (formerly Leave Nothing But Footprints) was created specifically because our founder struggled with sensitive, eczema-prone skin, and found there were no clothing options on the market that were both sustainable and gentle enough for her skin? There were a few key reasons that lead her to choose bamboo over other fabrics.
Bamboo Fabrics Are Ultra-Soft & Smooth Fibres
Bamboo fibres are naturally smooth and buttery soft against the skin. If you’ve ever worn bamboo clothing, you know just how silky to the touch and ‘barely there’ feeling it is.
Bamboo Fabrics Are Breathable & Temperature-Regulating
Eczema flare ups can happen with increased heat in hot, humid weather, so it’s important to wear clothing that is breathable and temperature-regulating. Bamboo helps to regulate the body’s temperature with its cool-to-touch feeling and breathable fibres, helping to reduce swelling and overheating.
If you’re struggling with hot flashes or chilly offices, bamboos natural breathability and moisture-wicking abilities allow the body temperature to regulate, keeping you both cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Bamboo can also support uninterrupted sleep and daily comfort when using bamboo bedding, bamboo pajamas, and bamboo clothing daily!
Bamboo Fabrics Are Moisture-Wicking & Odour-Resistant
As mentioned, bamboo fabrics are moisture-wicking, pulling the moisture away from the skin to help reduce dampness which can cause skin irritation. Bamboo fabric is also recognized for naturally resisting odour-causing bacteria as bamboo plants have an antimicrobial bio-agent called “bamboo kun” which helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi that thrive on sweat and skin oils.
Bamboo Fabrics Are Hypoallergenic & Gentle
Perhaps most importantly, bamboo fabric is naturally soft, hypoallergenic, and gentle, making it perfect for sensitive skin, those prone to allergies, and even babies. Thanks to its naturally smooth fibres that resist dust mites, antimicrobial properties that inhibit bacterial growth, and excellent moisture-wicking ability, bamboo fabric helps create a gentler, less irritating environment for the skin.
Bamboo vs Cotton vs Synthetic Fabrics
In comparison, bamboo fabric typically outperforms its competitors in fabrics suitable for sensitive skin.
Bamboo and cotton are both natural fibres and prove great benefits, but bamboo may have one up on cotton for sustainability – bamboo requires less water and no pesticides to grow, on top of this, it’s also a regenerative plant, meaning once harvests, it grows back (note: if it’s Organic Cotton, then fertilizers/pesticides were not used). Cotton needs to be replanted and requires more water for production into the fabric. Cotton tends to be a thicker, heavier fabric compared to the softness and lightweight feel of bamboo.
Polyester is a synthetic fabric made mainly from plastics. These fabrics have poor breathability, trapping heat and moisture, and creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Bamboos natural antibacterial properties help to reduce the chance for bacteria growth, leading to fewer skin irritants.
Bamboo fabrics excel as a fabric suitable for sensitive skin with its breathability, moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic properties.
Simple Comparison Table
| Feature | Cotton | Polyester |
Bamboo |
| Softness | Soft, but can be rough when untreated | Can feel scratchy or stiff |
Naturally ultra-soft, smooth |
| Breathability | Good, allows air flow | Poor, traps heat and moisture |
Excellent, naturally breathable |
| Moisture-Wicking | Moderate | Poor |
Excellent, wicks away sweat |
| Hypoallergenic | Moderate | Low, may irritate sensitive skin |
Naturally hypoallergenic |
| Antimicrobial | None naturally | None |
Natural antimicrobial qualities |
| Durability | Moderate | Very durable |
Durable, resists wear over time |
| Environmental Impact | High water usage, often chemical-heavy (unless organic) | Petroleum-based, non-biodegradable |
Low water use, renewable, biodegradable |
| Best Uses | Everyday clothing, bedding | Low-cost clothing |
Sensitive skin clothing, bedding, loungewear, undergarments |
Bamboo Fabric for Clothing vs Bedding
Clothing
With superior breathability, bamboo fabric is an excellent choice for clothing. It’s ideal for underwear, bras, loungewear, and basics where it provides all day comfort without irritation. Check out our bamboo clothing collection for women and men!
Bedding
Breathability in fabrics is also important when choosing bedding. Overheating and waking it sweaty is not ideal for a good night's rest. Bamboo bedding can help with night sweats, hot flashes, and keeping your temperature regulated at night. Its gentle nature is perfect for skin during long sleep hours. Discover our colourful array of bamboo sheets, bamboo duvet covers, and pillowcases!
FAQs
1. Is bamboo fabric good for eczema?
Yes! This is the reason Terrera (previously Leave Nothing but Footprints) was born. Our founder can only wear natural fabrics like bamboo for her clothing so as not to irritate her eczema-prone skin. With their hypoallergenic properties, bamboo fabric is highly beneficial for eczema-prone or sensitive skin. Their bamboo fibres are smooth and round, reducing irritation compared to rougher fabrics.
2. Is bamboo fabric better than cotton for sensitive skin?
If cotton is organic, both bamboo and organic cotton fabrics are none to be gentle for skin. However, bamboo is both hypoallergenic and antimicrobial naturally, which puts it just above organic cotton for sensitive skin suitability.
3. Does bamboo fabric cause allergies?
Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, meaning it is unlikely to cause allergic reactions; its smooth fibres reduce friction on the skin. To ensure safety, look for bamboo fabrics that are OKEO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which guarantees they are free from harmful chemicals.
4. Is bamboo fabric safe for babies?
Yes! Bamboo fabric is much softer than cotton and has unique properties that do not cause irritation that other fabrics may. It’s unique thermoregulating and hypoallergenic properties, breathability and moisture-wicking ability make bamboo an excellent choice for babies. Ensure that the products are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to confirm they are free from harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fabric can have a real impact on your skin health and overall comfort. Bamboo fabric, with its natural softness, breathability, and gentle, hypoallergenic qualities, offers a clear solution for sensitive skin and daily comfort. Remember, small, intentional swaps (like replacing irritating fabrics with bamboo or other natural materials) add up over time. It’s about progress over perfection. At Terrera, we’re committed to creating pieces using natural and recycled fabrics, helping you feel good in what you wear while supporting a more sustainable, mindful lifestyle.
Explore our bamboo essentials designed for sensitive skin. Crafted for comfort, longevity, and mindful living.
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