person wearing green fingerless gloves against grey wall

Cotton vs. TENCEL: What You Need to Know

What’s the difference between cotton and TENCEL? Both are soothing fabrics that are great for those with sensitive skin or chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. In this post, we’ll cover what makes each fabric so special and how you can benefit from them when healing hand eczema.

Please keep in mind that although what we discuss in this post can relieve eczema, we are not medical professionals. If you're experiencing severe eczema symptoms like an infection, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.

What is Cotton?

People with sensitive skin love cotton because it’s super soft and does not irritate the skin like other fabrics such as wool or polyester. Rather than aggravate the skin, cotton actually helps calm the skin and reduce redness. In addition, it reinforces the skin’s natural barrier and protects it against harmful microbes.

What is TENCEL?

TENCEL is a natural fiber made from renewable wood pulp. It’s known for being extremely soft and gentle on the skin. Its fibers are renowned for their natural comfort which makes TENCEL such a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

Because of its ability to hold water, TENCEL is very effective at wet wrapping. In fact, compared to cotton, TENCEL™ holds 50% more moisture. In addition, TENCEL helps inhibit the growth of bacteria. This makes it very helpful if relentless scratching causes the skin to crack or bleed which can increase the risk of infection. Lastly, TENCEL™ is naturally itch suppressing which is perfect for those dealing with itchy skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

The Best Cotton Gloves for Hand Eczema

If you suffer from itchy hand eczema, it’s a good idea to protect the hands with cotton gloves for eczema. For little ones, we recommend these scratch mittens for babies. These stay-closed scratch sleeves are made with 100% stretch cotton sleeves and silk mittens. They work wonders protecting delicate skin from relentless scratching, especially during the night when children may be scratching while they sleep. These loose fitting 100% cotton with natural silk mittens are truly gentle on even the most irritated skin.

Adults will love this Comfymitt Top made with 100% organic cotton. It features flat seams and protective mittens that help prevent scratching. The mid-weight cotton protects skin without being too hot, so it’s a great choice for those wanting to get a good night’s sleep. For kids, check out this Scratch Mittens Pajama Top. The soft, medium weight cotton is suitable for all climates.

The Best TENCEL Eczema Gloves

Our Remedywear™ Gloves for adults and kids are made with eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with anti-inflammatory zinc oxide. They are breathable and comfortable, offering soothing relief for eczema on the palms, wrists, and fingers. With moisture-wicking sweat control, there’s no need to worry about chafing or sweaty irritation. While the soothing fabric is clinically proven to improve eczema and reduce itching on its own, you can also boost the healing process by the gloves with a natural cream.

These fingerless gloves for adults and kids were specially designed for eczema on the palms and wrists. They’re a great choice for those who need full finger access. Featuring the perfect amount of latex-free elastane, these soothing gloves stay in place without sliding off or rubbing against sensitive skin. Lightweight and breathable, they help fight the urge to itch like a dream.

References:

https://textile-network.com/en/Technical-Textiles/Fasern-Garne/Cotton-the-Preferred-Fibre-for-Sensitive-Skin

https://www.tencel.com/about

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Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for The Eczema Company. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes.