How to Protect Your Health When You Have to Wear Synthetic Clothes

It took me four years to fully transition my wardrobe away from synthetics. Four years of trial and error, learning about labels and certificates, finding affordable pieces, and slowly donating or repurposing what no longer served me.

And even now, I still sometimes wear a synthetic raincoat or body warmer. Because life isn’t perfect. What matters is the intention behind our choices.

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High-frequency living isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. And when we can’t avoid synthetic clothing, there are ways to protect our health, skin, and energy while moving toward something better.

Let’s first look at where we are, globally.

The Synthetic Reality: Global Fiber Production in 2023

According to the Materials Market Report 2023, the world produced around 124 million tonnes of textile fibers in 2023. Here’s how that breaks down:

• Synthetic fibers: 67% of total production

  • Polyester: 71.1 million tonnes (57.2%)

  • Polyamide (nylon): 6.7 million tonnes (5.3%)

  • Other synthetics (acrylics, polypropylene, elastane): 6.1 million tonnes (4.9%)

That means over two-thirds of the clothes produced globally are made from plastic. These petroleum-based materials do not resonate with the human body and can contribute to overheating, static buildup, hormonal disruption, and skin irritation.

By contrast:

• Plant fibers made up only 25%, led by cotton (24.7 million tonnes, or 20%)

• Animal fibers like wool and silk accounted for just 1% combined

• Manmade cellulosic fibers (like viscose and lyocell) made up around 6%

It’s clear that synthetic dominance is not just a trend, it’s the norm due to fashion trends. Which is why we need tools to protect ourselves.

What To Do When You Have to Wear Synthetics

After years of personal experimentation, research, and lived experience, here’s what I suggest do to to protect your health and energy field when wearing synthetic clothes.

1. Wear Natural Fibers Closest to Your Skin

This is the simplest and most powerful change you can make. Wear a natural fiber like organic cotton, wool, or linen underwear and base layer underneath synthetic clothing.

Why it matters:

• Natural fibers act as a physical and energetic buffer

• They wick moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce static

• They prevent direct skin contact with potentially endocrine-disrupting synthetics

If you only make one shift, let it be this.

2. Change Out of Synthetics As Soon As Possible

The moment you finish a workout or arrive home from travel, change into something breathable. Lingering in polyester or nylon can trap heat, sweat, and bacteria which isn’t great for skin or frequency.

Keep a soft cotton or linen outfit on hand to change into right away.

3. Shower and Cleanse Your Skin

If you've worn synthetics for hours, take a warm shower and use:

• Charcoal-based soap

• Clay cleansers

• Natural exfoliants like dry brushing beforehand

This helps remove microplastic particles, chemical residues, and sweat that could otherwise linger on the skin or enter the bloodstream.

4. Prioritize Natural-Fiber Sleepwear

We spend a minimum of 6-8 hours in bed. This is when your body restores itself, and wearing plastic during sleep can disrupt thermoregulation and even melatonin production.

Opt for:

• Linen sleepwear in warmer months

• Merino wool or organic cotton in cooler seasons

This one shift dramatically improved my sleep quality and skin health.

5. Wash Synthetics Separately and Responsibly

Synthetic garments shed microplastics into our waterways and homes with every wash. Here’s what I do:

• Use a Guppyfriend washing bag

• Wash on cold, gentle cycles with natural detergent

• Air dry (avoiding the dryer reduces fiber breakdown)

This reduces the release of microfibers and preserves the garment for longer.

6. Ground and Rebalance Your Nervous System

Synthetic clothes can create static charge and affect your energetic field. I counterbalance this with:

• Grounding walks barefoot on grass or earth

• Dry brushing before showers

• Epsom salt baths after long days in synthetic-heavy environments (airports, events, public transport)

7. Bless and Charge the Clothing You Wear

Even when I have to wear synthetic clothing, I still take a moment to connect with it energetically. Before putting it on, I hold the garment in my hands and set a clear intention, something like:

“May this garment protect me, serve my highest good, and hold the frequency of love.”

Sometimes I place a drop of organic essential oil near the tag. This ritual is quick, subtle, and powerful, it reminds me that even synthetic layers can carry the vibration I choose to give them.

A Journey, Not a Destination

I didn’t overhaul my wardrobe overnight. It started with organic underwear, a pair of linen pajamas. Then a wool base layer. Then switching to organic gym wear. Over four years, the transformation happened, one conscious choice at a time.

If you’re in the middle of that journey, or just beginning, let this be your reminder: you’re

doing enough. Each intentional step matters.

And when synthetics must be worn, you now have a toolkit to protect your body, energy, and well-being.