When most of us think of beauty products, skincare serums and creams may be the first things that come to mind. But, as beauty innovation expands, we’ve seen a variety of new tools hit the market, like light therapy masks, microcurrent facial devices, and even beauty textiles. An emerging trend, beauty textiles combine the fabrics that surround us each day with materials designed to enhance beauty and skin health.
Beauty textiles are revolutionizing the way we approach skincare and self-care, integrating beauty benefits into everyday essentials like our clothing, bedding and linens. Whether infused with skincare ingredients, designed to maintain hydration, or developed with technology that supports circulation and cell recovery, beauty textiles make it effortless to infuse self-care into your sleep, work and play.
The short answer is yes! Different fabrics can inherently offer advantages that promote beauty and skin health. For example, silk and satin are popular choices for pillowcases and sleep masks due to their ability to reduce friction, prevent frizz, and minimize sleep lines—particularly for stomach and side sleepers who want to wake up feeling and looking refreshed.
Beyond traditional beauty-friendly fabrics, textile technology has advanced to include innovative materials engineered to offer skincare and complexion benefits. From microencapsulated textiles that deliver active ingredients, to bio-responsive fabrics that boost blood flow, and UV-protective clothing that shields against sun damage, these functional fabrics are setting a new standard for what consumers can and should expect from their products.
One of the best parts about beauty textiles compared to traditional beauty products is how little effort is required to get the benefits. While it can be difficult to prioritize an extensive skincare routine on busy days, beauty textiles fit seamlessly into everyday life. Simply wear them, sleep on them, or use them as part of your wellness routine to experience their glow-enhancing effects.
There are different types of beauty textiles depending on your goals. Whether you’re looking for fabrics that hydrate, protect, or energize down to the cellular level, there’s an option for everyone.
One category of innovation that directly intersects beauty and textiles is skincare-infused fabrics, which are often designed to support skin hydration, texture and complexion. Some of these materials use microencapsulation technology to embed active skincare ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, or hyaluronic acid directly into the fabric. As these fabrics make contact with the skin, the ingredients are gradually released, providing continuous hydration and nourishment throughout the day or night. PH5, for example, combines viscose fibers with hyaluronic acid in their line of luxurious sleepwear, claiming that 8 hours of use is the equivalent of 3500 face masks.
Sova’s hyaluronic acid-infused silk pillowcases also benefit your skin continuously overnight while you sleep, delivering hydration, anti-aging properties, and skin rejuvenation. As TrendHunter described alongside their near-perfect rating of the “beauty sleep” innovation, products like this represent a shift in the industry towards more personalization and enhanced functionality in beauty products. PH5 combines viscose fibers with hyaluronic acid in their line of luxurious bedding.
When multi-functional textiles are combined with skincare ingredients, there is potential to deliver a double dose of beauty-supporting benefits. For example, bio-responsive fabrics actually create a physiological change in the person wearing (or near) them. One category of bio-responsive textiles is infrared textiles, which harness the benefits of infrared light into fabrics to boost local circulation and cellular oxygenation, resulting in a cascade of wellness benefits. That’s why textile fibers that can deliver physiological benefits, such as thermoregulation or increased blood flow, make such a good foundation for fabric face masks, soothing eye masks and other close-to-skin beauty applications.
Sun protection is one of the most critical components of any skincare routine, and UV-protective textiles provide an effortless way to shield skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Unlike topical sunscreens that need to be reapplied throughout the day, UV-protective fabrics integrate sun-blocking technology directly into everyday clothing and accessories, offering continuous defense against sun damage.
Many of these textiles are engineered with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), a rating system that measures how much UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric before reaching the skin. The higher the UPF rating, the greater the protection. This makes UPF fabrics an invaluable addition to a sun-conscious beauty routine, helping to prevent premature aging, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect against long-term skin concerns.
As the demand for wearable wellness solutions continues to rise, UV-protective textiles are emerging as a seamless way to incorporate sun care into daily life. For instance, Solbari, a brand specializing in sun-protective clothing, incorporates UPF 50+ fabrics into apparel designed for outdoor wear, ensuring that wearers receive the highest level of sun protection without sacrificing comfort. Infrared textiles, like those infused with CELLIANT® infrared technology, also possess UV-protective properties and can be incorporated into apparel, activewear and outerwear.
Collagen is a key protein in the skin that helps maintain elasticity, smoothness, and firmness. While collagen is commonly found in topical skincare or taken in supplement form, textile technology has evolved to incorporate collagen directly into fabrics where it can gradually release collagen peptides onto the skin, offering a wearable approach to skin rejuvenation.
One leader in this space is Buki, a brand that has developed a collection of apparel designed with sustainably sourced marine collagen to provide moisture-rich comfort while also promoting skin health. Their proprietary collagen-peptide technology is infused directly into the fibers, allowing wearers to experience the benefits of soft, breathable, and skin-conditioning fabrics throughout the day, and even acts as a natural deodorizer.
Collagen fabrics are particularly well-suited for sleepwear, bedding and undergarments as they allow for prolonged contact with the skin, maximizing their rejuvenating effects. When combined with other beauty-supporting fabric technologies, such as infrared textiles or moisture-wicking properties, these materials have the potential to revolutionize how we approach skincare.
What’s next for the beauty industry? The future of beauty lies in the seamless integration of beauty and wellness, as consumers increasingly seek products that enhance both their appearance and overall well-being. Luxury buyers, in particular, now expect science-backed health benefits alongside their beauty purchases, driving a major shift in industry innovation. In Wellbeing Magazine, CEO Seth Casden highlights how this growing demand for multifunctional beauty solutions is fueling advancements in skincare, self-care, and holistic wellness, with brands pioneering products that go beyond aesthetics to support long-term health and vitality.
The rise of wearable wellness technology, from infrared-enhanced fabrics to lymphatic drainage apparel, and skincare-infused textiles, is at the forefront of this transformation, and brands who are embracing the shift are seeing success. Heat Healer, for instance has an entire wearable wellness collection powered by infrared technology. The products deliver benefits extend far beyond traditional skincare, aligning with the evolving consumer mindset that beauty is not just about how we look but also about how we feel.
As textile technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated bio-responsive fabrics that deliver skincare benefits effortlessly—transforming everything from sleepwear to activewear into tools for radiant skin, enhanced recovery, and overall well-being.
Interested in discussing the evolution of beauty innovation or exploring ways to innovate infrared beauty products? Get in touch with our team by filling out the form below.
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