​How to think about cotton

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With cotton, the key question is simple:

👉 What is left in the fabric that sits against your skin?

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In practical terms, focus on:

• how the cotton is grown

• how it is processed and finished

• whether chemicals are added after production

• how often you are wearing or using it

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Unlike food or water, exposure here is primarily through skin contact over time.

 

Where exposure comes from

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Exposure with cotton comes from two main stages: growing and processing.​ 

 

Conventional cotton farming often uses large amounts of pesticides and herbicides.

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Common examples include:

• glyphosate

• organophosphate pesticides

• insecticides used during cultivation

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Residues from these can remain in the fibers.

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After harvesting, cotton is processed into fabric. This is where another layer of exposure can be introduced.

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Common processing chemicals include:

• formaldehyde resins (used for wrinkle resistance)

• dyes and finishing agents

• bleaching chemicals

• stain-resistant coatings (sometimes PFAS-based)

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These treatments are designed to change how the fabric looks or performs, but they also determine what comes into contact with your skin.

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Because cotton is worn daily and often for long periods, this creates continuous, low-level skin exposure.

 

What to look for when choosing cotton

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You don’t need to replace everything at once. Focus on reducing the biggest sources of exposure.

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Choose organic cotton when possible
Reduces exposure to pesticides and herbicides used during growing

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Look for GOTS certification when available
Helps ensure the cotton is organic and limits harmful processing chemicals like formaldehyde and certain dyes

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Prioritize untreated or minimally treated fabrics
Avoids added finishes like wrinkle-resistant or stain-resistant coatings

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Be cautious with “performance” cotton
These often include chemical treatments or synthetic blends

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Wash new items before use
Helps remove surface-level residues from manufacturing

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Small changes here can reduce what your skin is exposed to every day.

 

Common labels explained

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Organic Cotton
Grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, but does not always address processing chemicals.

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GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard)
Covers both how cotton is grown and how it is processed, limiting the use of certain chemicals and finishes.

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Wrinkle-Resistant / Stain-Resistant
Indicates added chemical treatments, often including formaldehyde resins or coatings.

 

Bottom Line

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Cotton is a daily skin contact exposure point. Conventional and heavily treated cotton can introduce multiple inputs at once, including pesticide residues like glyphosate, formaldehyde-based finishes, dyes, and stain-resistant coatings.

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With repeated use, this can contribute to:

• skin irritation

• low-level chemical exposure over time

• and overall increased toxic load

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Better options like organic cotton and GOTS-certified textiles reduce both how the cotton is grown and how it is treated before it reaches you.

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The goal is to choose fabrics that limit what sits against your skin every day.