Sensitive skin does not get the representation it deserves. According to Aveeno, a recent online survey of 1,000 participants revealed that about 71% of adults report having sensitive skin. This is a 55% increase over the last two decades. In addition, about 1 in 12 adults will experience eczema at some point in their lives.
So if you have sensitive skin or eczema, you’re not alone. There are many out there looking for sensitive skin-friendly everything from skincare and makeup to even pajamas for sensitive skin. Yes, you read that last one right.
There are, in fact, pajamas for sensitive skin sold by brands like This Is J. These pajamas can make quite a huge difference in how restful your sleep actually is each night. But here’s the million-dollar (not quite) question. How do you know which are the best pajamas for sensitive skin and eczema? Today, we’re exploring the answer to this question.
Why Fabric Choice Matters for Sensitive Skin and Eczema
Many people don’t realize how important fabric choice is for those with sensitive skin or eczema. We might have an idea, but we don't often know that the right clothing can help prevent heat trapping, avoid skin irritation, and keep you cool and comfortable throughout the evening.
It's also important that we choose the right pajamas. After all, we spend a significant amount of time in our sleep clothes, so we don’t want them to cause chafing, skin redness, sweating, or flare-ups if the fabric causes irritation. For this reason, natural fibres are usually preferable.
Fabrics to Avoid
Some fabrics are a big no-no for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, especially in pajamas. A few you’ll want to try and avoid at all costs, if at all possible, to save yourself potential discomfort include:
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Synthetic fabrics: Some of the worst fabrics that could ever touch your sensitive or eczema-prone skin are acrylic, nylon, polyester, and spandex (when unblended). These fabrics, on their own, can trap heat and moisture, creating an ideal environment for skin irritation.
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Coarse wool: Wool that is over 25 microns is another fabric you’re going to want to avoid. Despite what many believe, coarse wool is not actually allergenic for most people since it causes irritation from the thick fibres that poke the skin.
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Stain-resistant or wrinkle-free fabrics: We know it's incredibly tempting to grab that cozy set of pajamas that claim to be stain-resistant or wrinkle-free (like satin) but don’t. These fabrics often contain formaldehyde-based resins or PFAS-based stain repellents, and recent studies have shown that some compounds can sadly be absorbed through the skin. As you can imagine, this isn’t very good for you.
Best Fabrics for Sensitive Skin and Eczema
Before you start sifting through the aisles at your nearest clothing store, searching for pajamas for sensitive skin, or adding a few sets to your online cart, you need to know which fabrics are best. Below are a few of our top recommendations for the best hypoallergenic sleepwear fabrics that we know will help rather than harm sensitive skin.
Bamboo Viscose
One of the absolute best fabrics for pajamas for sensitive skin and Eczema is bamboo viscose. This fabric has exceptionally smooth fibres that reduce friction. It's also incredibly lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable. Usually, skin stays dry and comfortable with this hypoallergenic fabric that offers natural temperature regulation. It's also known to have antibacterial properties. So, it's clear as day why bamboo viscose pajamas are ideal.
Cotton
Although not as good an option as bamboo viscose, cotton is a good choice for pajamas. This material is among the most recommended for people with eczema or sensitive skin. It's known for being soft, sweat-absorbing, easily washable, and allowing your skin to breathe.
However, it's not the best at moisture wicking, and often cotton blends contain a significant proportion of polyester. So be sure the pajamas you’re eyeing are 100% cotton before you buy them.
Silk
Silk is soft and breathable. It's also a good regulator of body temperature. That’s why it's often among the top choices for those with sensitive skin or eczema. It's also a fabric that can be made to be close-fitting, even though it naturally drapes.
The fabric is ideal for bedtime gowns and pajamas you don’t often sleep in, as it's hard to wash and prone to staining. This makes it a less practical solution than cotton or bamboo viscose, so keep this in mind. It’s also cough… cough… expensive.
Superfine Merino Wool
We know we said wool was a no-go, but that's coarse wool. You can still consider superfine merino wool. Unlike wool above 25 microns, superfine merino wool isn’t scratchy, so it won't irritate your skin or even cause a rash.
This fabric comes from merino sheep and is extremely fine, with fibres measuring less than 18 microns, so the fibres tend to bend against your skin rather than poking it. Considering this, merino wool pajamas can be incredibly comfortable, especially in the winter months when you want to be a little cozy and warm.
TENCEL (lyocell)
TENCEL (lyocell) pajamas aren’t as common as the other options we spoke about, but they do exist. Pajamas made from this fabric are usually incredibly good at moisture-wicking because the fabric absorbs moisture about 50% more effectively than cotton. This keeps your skin drier, and this is important if you want to prevent chafing and heat rashes.
This fabric is so good at moisture wicking because TENCEL is a plant-based fibre made from wood pulp, with incredibly smooth fibres finer than cotton. Pajamas made from this fabric cause minimal friction on the skin, and its closed-loop production recycles up to 99.8% of solvents, minimizing the amount of chemical residues that come into contact with your skin.
Our Sensitive Skin-Friendly Options
If you’re looking for pajamas for sensitive skin or eczema-friendly pajamas now that you know more about the best fabrics, you should consider This Is J pajamas. More specifically, consider pajamas from their bamboo viscose jammers collection.
All the sleepwear in this collection is made from a unique 93% viscose from bamboo and 7% spandex blend. The fabric is, as you can imagine, naturally moisture-wicking, breathable, and soft against the skin. Most find that our pajamas help reduce irritation and keep one comfortable, and dare we say it… sleeping like a baby the whole night through.
A few of our best bamboo viscose options from the collection that are sensitive skin-friendly and ideal for those trying to keep their eczema at bay include:
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Henley Harem Set - Tartan Dark Navy: This set offers a relaxed, gently stretchy fit. It's perfect for lounging or sleeping in comfort.
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Oversized Tee Pajama Set: The oversized T-shirt pajama set is uber comfy and easy to wear, thanks to its baggy nature, which reduces friction. It's also soft and comfortable.
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Tank Set - Shibori Tie Dye Spruce: When warmer nights return, this tank set is what you should pull out. It's lightweight and perfect for those who prefer minimal layers.
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T-Shirt Short Set - Starburst Blue: If you love laidback pajamas that are soft with a forgiving fit that feels luxurious against your skin, you might want to buy the t-shirt short set. It wicks away moisture and is comfy to wear.
Our pajamas are also free from harsh chemicals and flame retardants, and they are machine washable, which is incredibly convenient. We’ve also carefully curated our bamboo pajama collection so that each item is designed with thoughtfulness and you in mind.
The Wrap-Up on the Best Pajamas for Sensitive Skin
Pajamas play a big part in your life. They are among the items of clothing you wear most, so it makes sense that if you have sensitive skin or eczema, you need to be a little more choosy. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of the fabrics to consider and which are absolute no-gos… we’re eyeing you, polyester in the corner.
You also now know that bamboo viscose is among the best fabrics for pajamas for sensitive skin and eczema, and that This Is J has a wonderfully curated, luxurious collection. If you want to have a look at a few more of their Canadian-made options, you can check them out here. Your skin will absolutely thank you, and so will future you when you enjoy more sleep.
