If you’re looking for a non-toxic bra, organic cotton bra, or hypoallergenic bra for sensitive skin, here’s what actually matters. And what marketing labels often leave out.
How to Choose a Non-Toxic Bra
So… How can I select a less toxic bra? I did the research so you don’t have to. Here is your shopping checklist!
🔴 → Bad
🟡 → Better
🟢 → 🌿Totally Non-Toxic🌿
Choose Dermatologist-Recommended Natural Fibers:
🔴 Synthetic fabrics / plastics: elastane / spandex, nylon, polyester, acrylic (recycled does not make it better for you).
🟡 95% natural materials, 5% synthetics: Better, but this still means that even the main fabric is not 100% natural. Synthetic fibers have been woven in with the natural fibers to make it stretchy.
🟢 100% natural fabrics: cotton, linen, silk, hemp, bamboo viscose, or TENCEL™ (lyocell). Can be a mixture of these like cotton + hemp.
A note on certifications to look for:
🥈 OEKO-TEX® Certified = Tests finished textiles for harmful chemicals (like formaldehyde, heavy metals, and pesticide residues). Shouldn’t all products we use meet these standards?
🥇 GOTS Certified = Tests for harmful chemicals and requires organic fibers. Excellent because it’s organic plus strict chemical restrictions. GOTS helps ensure fewer residual chemicals by requiring clean practices from farm to finished product. It also has strong environmental and social standards.
Cups:
🔴 Regular cups.
🟡 Removable cups.
🟢 No cups or cups made of 100% natural padding: cotton, linen, silk, hemp, or TENCEL™ (lyocell). Rare, but worth it.
Safe Dyes and No Coatings:
🔴 No assurance of safe dyes on the product site. Words like “Moisture-wicking”, “Odor-resistant” or a slick/slippery fabric signals toxic coatings. Put a drop of water on the fabric: If it beads up, there may be a water-repellent finish. Sports bras are almost always coated.
🟡 “No Azo dyes.” OEKO-TEX® Certified.
🟢 GOTS Certified. “Undyed” or natural cotton color. Natural dyes like indigo or low-impact, hypoallergenic dyes.
Azo dyes are synthetic dyes created to replace natural dyes. Because of health concerns, their use is limited in many countries. However they still comprise 60–70% of all dyes used in food and textile industries.
Other things to watch out for:
🔴 Nickel underwire, if you are sensitive to nickel.
🔴 Bands and straps often have synthetic elastic edges. Fabric % usually refer to the main fabric only, so they don’t mention the synthetic band. These elastic bands can be very irritating since they are tight against your skin and experience a lot of wear and heat.
🔴 Lace and trim is often synthetic.
What is the best all natural bra?
So, which bra should you get? I have just what you need in my review of the REAL skin-friendly, totally non-toxic bras.
Why is it so hard to find a non-toxic bra? Most bras have irritants, even if they are marketed as “cotton” or “organic.” Check out my article Are Pact Bras Really Non-Toxic.
