Polyester is inexpensive, durable, and so widely used that it has become almost invisible. It is present in the clothes we wear, the textiles around us, and even in some of the wipes we use as part of our daily rituals.
Yet when a material comes into contact with the skin, day after day, its composition deserves a closer look.
What touches the skin, before we even think about it
The fabrics worn closest to the body, from morning through to bedtime, are where the natural qualities of cotton become particularly meaningful. Its breathability, its ability to absorb moisture, and its naturally soft feel make it a particularly considered choice for prolonged contact with the skin.
At SolCotton, we designed some pieces to spend the longest hours against the body made entirely from 100% pure cotton, with no blend.
The Sophie Tee expresses that philosophy in its simplest form. A pure cotton T-shirt, with no synthetic fibre, designed to become the piece you reach for without a second thought each morning. Soft, breathable and uncomplicated, it follows the body comfortably from waking to bedtime.
The Ava Ease Set brings the same approach into the night. A T-shirt style top paired with shorts or trousers, crafted entirely from 100% pure cotton. Light and naturally breathable, it is designed to keep the feeling of comfort effortless throughout the night.
For cooler evenings, the Ava Cozy Set offers the same composition in a more enveloping form. Longer sleeves and a denser feel bring an added sense of warmth, while retaining the natural qualities of pure cotton.
Three pieces, one considered approach: when a fabric remains close to the skin for hours, its composition matters.
A material hiding in plain sight
Polyester is not necessarily the first material we associate with beauty or skincare. Yet it can be found in some of the disposable wipes used every day.
A BBC investigation found that around 90% of the 11 billion wipes sold annually in the UK contain plastic*. Research published in ACS ES&T Water, analysing wipes recovered from a Canadian river, found that 99% contained plastic, with polyester accounting for almost half of that material *.
This is largely due to the construction of nonwoven wipes, which often combine cellulose fibres with synthetic fibres such as polyester. A life cycle assessment published in the Journal of Cleaner Production similarly examined the combination of synthetic and cellulose fibres commonly found in wet wipes*.
The composition of a wipe can therefore be more complex than its simple, fabric like appearance might suggest.
When material meets skin
This naturally raises a more personal question: how does a material behave when it remains in contact with the skin, day after day?
A review published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology identifies cotton as a benchmark material for atopic and sensitive skin, while noting that synthetic fibres may contribute to irritation and inflammation*.
DermNet, a leading dermatology reference, also notes that materials such as polyester can retain heat and moisture close to the skin. These conditions can create a warmer and more humid microenvironment at the skin surface*.
Cotton has a different relationship with moisture. It can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water, while polyester has very limited moisture absorption.
These differences help explain why fibre choice can be particularly relevant when a textile is designed for prolonged contact with the skin.
A question of proportion, not just of fibre
The conversation around synthetic fibres deserves an important nuance.
A garment made predominantly from polyester is not equivalent to a cotton garment containing a small percentage of elastane to provide stretch and movement.
The presence of a synthetic fibre alone does not tell the whole story. Composition, proportion and intended use all matter.
At SolCotton, this principle guides the pieces designed for extended contact with the skin. Where pure cotton can naturally provide the softness, breathability and comfort required, the fabric is kept deliberately simple.
A wider conversation about materials
The question of fibre composition also extends beyond personal comfort.
A report submitted to France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition found that around 60% of the raw materials used in clothing worldwide are now plastic based, primarily polyester, acrylic and nylon. Synthetic textiles can release microfibres during washing*.
Research supported by ADEME, France’s Agency for Ecological Transition, also found microplastics in three quarters of the French soil samples analysed, with 70% of those particles measuring less than two millimetres*.
These findings form part of a broader conversation around the materials we choose, how they are used, and what happens to them throughout their life cycle.
A different approach to the everyday gesture
This is where the choice of material becomes particularly simple.
The dry tissue collection, La Délicate for the everyday gesture and La Divine for the evening ritual, is made entirely from pure cotton, certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, with no synthetic fibre.
The wet wipes follow the same philosophy, combining ultra pure water with cotton rather than relying on the polyester based nonwoven sheets commonly found in conventional wipes.
The travel formats carry the same composition in a smaller format, allowing the ritual to remain consistent wherever the day takes you.
Because sometimes the most considered choice is simply to return to what works naturally.
Pure cotton. Thoughtfully made. Designed for the skin.
Key takeaways
● Polyester traps heat and moisture against the skin, conditions that favour irritation on sensitive skin.
● It's often hidden inside disposable wipes, rarely stated clearly on the packaging.
● Proportion matters as much as fibre type: a trace of elastane is nothing like a fabric that's mostly synthetic.
● In France as elsewhere, unrecycled polyester breaks down into microplastics rather than biodegrading.
The next label worth reading
Polyester isn't a bad fabric in itself, but it's the wrong one for anything that touches skin closely and often. SolCotton's Dry Tissues and Wet Wipes ranges are built on pure cotton, without exception, from the everyday gesture to the travel format. Next time, a quick glance at tonight's wipe might say more than expected.
FAQ
Can polyester really irritate skin? Indirectly, yes: allergic reactions are mostly triggered by dyes and chemical finishes, but the fibre itself traps heat and moisture, which favours irritation and bacterial growth on sensitive skin.
Why is polyester found in cosmetic wipes? Because it's inexpensive and durable, making it a common component of the nonwoven sheet used in most disposable wipes on the market, though the label doesn't always state it clearly.
Do SolCotton wipes contain polyester? No. SolCotton's dry and wet wipes are made entirely of pure cotton, including in their travel formats.
Does polyester really end up as microplastics? Yes: unlike cotton, it doesn't biodegrade and gradually breaks down into microparticles, a phenomenon observed even in French soil samples tested by ADEME.
Sources
* BBC investigation on hidden plastic in disposable wipes (2019), cited in Plastic Content of Fibers in Wipes: askwonder.com/research/plastic-content-fibers-wipes-88urzoigq
* ACS ES&T Water — Improperly disposed wet wipes could shed microplastics in rivers: acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2026/march/improperly-disposed-wet-wipes-could-shed-microplastics-in-rivers.html
* Journal of Cleaner Production — Life-cycle environmental impact assessment of wet wipes: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344921004122
* American Journal of Clinical Dermatology — Fabric Selection in Atopic Dermatitis: An Evidence-Based Review, 2020: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32440827
* DermNet — Textile contact dermatitis: dermnetnz.org/topics/textile-contact-dermatitis
* French Ministry for Ecological Transition — Textile-origin microplastic pollution report: igedd.documentation.developpement-durable.gouv.fr
* ADEME — Microplastics in France: 3/4 of soil samples tested contaminated: ademe.fr/presse/communique-national/microplastiques-en-france