Anyone with sensitive skin can attest to the special attention to have to pay to just about every fabric that touches their body. Not to mention how you care for these fabrics can have a big say in how your skin will react to them.
It’s responsible to wash your bed sheets at least once a week, but for sensitive skin sufferers, it’s even more crucial. Dead skin cells slough off regularly and accumulate pretty quickly, and these heaps of invisible cells make a fine feast for nasty little dust mites. However, taking care of your sheets could reduce the number of irritants your skin comes into contact with while you’re sleeping.
But what if it’s the sheets themselves that are bothering your skin? You’ll want to check which kind you’re currently sleeping on, as the thread count could be a clue as to whether they’re natural or synthetic. Most people erroneously believe that the higher the thread count, the more luxurious and better the sheets are for your skin. In reality, though, any sheets with a thread count higher than 400 require a synthetic weaving process during manufacturing, and therefore, they’re sheets you’ll want to avoid. Natural fabrics, in contrast, usually fall somewhere between the 200-400 thread-count range. This range is the area you’ll want to stay in.
Natural fabrics like linen, silk, and cotton are the best bets for those with sensitive skin. Not only are they naturally hypoallergenic, but they can last quite long if cared for properly. Today, we’re going to explore the unique advantages each of these fabrics offers.
Linen
Linen was initially made for use in hotter climates; the fabric is highly breathable and therefore has excellent ventilation. Linen is also highly durable, so investing in a set means you’ll likely be good to go for years to come. However, linen is a bit pricier compared to other natural fabrics. On top of this, linen wrinkles pretty quickly as well. If you don’t mind either busting out the iron once a week or sleeping on crumpled sheets, you might want to consider your other options.
Silk
Silk bed sheets don’t have to be only for special occasions, despite their superior reputation. Many eczema sufferers have found both relief and a good night’s sleep on silk sheets. In addition to their naturally hypoallergenic nature, silk is an excellent thermoregulator. What this means is that silk sheets will warm you up in the winter.
Cotton
Cotton is an excellent material for people with easily irritated skin. Moreover, organic cotton is softer to the touch and kinder to the skin. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s naturally hypoallergenic. As you might’ve seen in any home goods store, there are many different varieties of cotton bed sheets: jersey, flannel, Pima, and the ever-famous Egyptian cotton. The last two types are a bit pricier but more durable than the first two. Just be careful when shopping for Egyptian cotton sheets; many brands tout authentic Egyptian cotton in their sheets when in reality, they don’t. So study up before you hit the store!
Fortunately, you can check out a wide selection of gorgeous hotel quality bed linen from Richard Haworth. Visit their website today to browse their top-quality bed sheets that all come at a reasonable price.
