Sliding into bed after a long day is one of life's greatest joys, except if your sheets irritate your skin and make sleeping uncomfortable. Luckily, there's a fix for that. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kemunto Mokaya, the best sheets for sensitive skin are made from "lightweight, breathable, and smooth fabrics to reduce friction and sweat, which can irritate skin that is already inflamed or sensitive. She suggests choosing silk, bamboo, or 100% organic cotton sheets and sticking with white or ivory colors because "they are usually made with minimal use of dyes."
Though cozy flannel and heavyweight sheets are popular in cold seasons, unfortunately our expert isn't a fan. "They can cause excessive heat and sweating, which in turn can cause conditions like eczema or psoriasis to flare," Dr. Mokaya tells Bustle, so she advises patients with sensitive skin to avoid wool, polyester, fleece and flannel. Finally, thread count does matter, because the higher the thread count, the smoother — and more comfortable — the sheets will feel.
Dr. Mokaya also says that how you care for your sheets can have a big impact on your skin. Choose fragrance-free laundry detergents, and skip dryer sheets and fabric softeners because they contain fragrances and preservatives that can be irritating. (She says you can use hypoallergenic wool dryer balls instead.) Lastly, consider adding one or two extra rinses to the wash cycle to remove all traces of laundry detergent from your sheets.
With those tips in mind, scroll on to shop the best bedding for sensitive skin, from sheets to pillowcases and even a comforter.
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