The Health Impacts of Polyester
Controversial take: polyester isn’t healthy ❌
Listen to my video here for the science behind this plastic-derived fabric and my reasoning for avoiding it, especially in activewear, along with recommendations for alternative fabrics to wear instead.
Did you know this about polyester?
Polyester is a hydrophobic polymer due to its molecular structure. This hydrophobic nature means it will push sweat towards the skin, acting as a breeding ground for bacteria, which can also increase odor.
The way polyester is woven makes it not breathable and, thereby, can trap heat. This can make it uncomfortable to wear in hotter climates as well as for workouts.
Polyester is dyed with disperse dyes. Disperse dyes are a class of synthetic and water-insoluble dyes used to color synthetic and hydrophobic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acetate. These dyes can act as skin sensitizers, meaning they can cause an allergic reaction in the immune system after contact. This reaction can lead to allergic contact dermatitis. More info: PMCID: PMC10872524; https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12001
Polyester is plastic-based and therefore releases micro and nanoplastics upon wash and wear.
Hormone-disrupting chemicals are used in fashion chemistry for sweat-wicking, stain-resistant properties, and as plasticizers. Read more here and here.
Research points to sweat's ability to pull topical chemicals off of fabrics, acting as an avenue into your system.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been found to attach to microplastics, which serve as an avenue for their distribution.