Hypoallergenic describes something that doesn’t trigger an allergic reaction. However, the term dates back to the 1950s as a marketing word rather than one with scientific or medical significance for consumers to make an informed choice for their health.
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Fortunately, these days, hypoallergenic has come to mean ‘allergy friendly’, offering a reduced risk of an allergic response than other materials. So, if you’re wondering whether pure merino wool thermal underwear is hypoallergenic, in a technical sense, it is!
Learn how thermal underwear is allergy-friendly below, and you might be loading up your shopping cart with all manner of high-quality natural garments in no time!
It’s Officially Recognised
We can confidently share that our 100% fine merino thermal underwear is gentle on sensitive skin, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Take it from the experts instead.
In research funded by Australian Wool Innovation, a growing body of evidence suggested that high-quality, fine merino wool is a non-irritant and low risk to those with sensitive skin.
The report looked at fibre diameters and determined that some people experienced irritation with coarse fibers of >30-32μm, but the same irritation wasn’t seen with finer merino wool.
The research even set out to debunk the myth that wool is an allergen. An analysis called ‘Debunking the Myth of Wool Allergy’ found no evidence that this was the case. Other recent studies also confirmed that superfine merino wool benefited eczema management.
Merino Wool Doesn’t Irritate Your Skin
Itchy undergarments can be uncomfortable, and you might assume you have to opt for soft cotton to look after your sensitive or allergy-prone skin. However, merino wool doesn’t irritate your skin, which is why it’s a popular thermal underwear choice!
Merino wool is soft, non-itchy, and fine, and can absorb up to 35 percent of its own weight to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable.
What Are the Other Benefits of Merino Wool?
Merino wool is an excellent choice for underwear, but its many benefits make it ideal for a wide range of other clothing and accessories, like sweaters, cardigans, beanies, gloves, socks, baby blankets, baby sleepwear and more.
If you’re not yet convinced that merino wool is the right natural fibre choice for you, consider these other desirable benefits.
Strength and Resilience
Unlike synthetic materials, which often break down quickly and have a high cost per wear, merino wool is as strong as they come. Wool fibres can bend, flex, and stretch, in all directions and still return to their original shape.
Breathability
Moist or damp clothing can irritate your skin, leading to itchiness and rashes. However, that’s unlikely to be an issue with merino wool. It can feel dry to the touch even when holding up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture.
Body Odour
No one likes to feel like their bodies are producing an odour, but you can enjoy much-needed peace of mind while wearing merino wool. Its moisture-management, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties reduce and remove odours. This also means you don’t need to wash your merino garments as often as other clothing.
Biodegradability
It’s only natural to feel guilty when throwing away old underwear and other clothing items. You usually know it’s going to end up in landfills. Although, that’s not the case with merino wool. You can confidently compost your merino products, knowing they will break down into the soil and deliver much-needed nutrients within 12 months.
What Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Can You Buy?
Now that you know that merino wool thermal undergarments are hypoallergenic, you might be curious about what you can buy to enjoy comfort, warmth, dryness, and irritation-free skin!
There are a number of different options to choose from for men and women, such as:
- Camisoles
- Singlets
- Lounge pants
- Leggings
- Long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops
- Long-sleeve and short-sleeve crews
Is It Time to Add Merino Wool to Your Shopping Cart?
It’s hard to believe that something from our natural environment could be so versatile and beneficial, but merino wool is! If you’re looking for allergy-friendly thermal underwear, clothing, or accessories that won’t cause an uncomfortable allergic response, merino wool will cover all bases. Why not check out the range of high-quality garments at Ecowool and see if anything grabs your attention?
FAQs
What does hypoallergenic mean in relation to Merino wool?
Hypoallergenic, in relation to merino wool, means that it has a reduced risk of triggering allergic reactions compared to other materials.
What are the benefits of wearing Merino wool thermal underwear?
The benefits of wearing Merino wool thermal underwear include its soft and non-itchy texture, excellent moisture absorption, breathability, odour reduction properties, strength and resilience, and the ability to biodegrade naturally.