Organic cotton is a great way to naturally alleviate some skin conditions. For those who suffer from chemical related skin allergies it can sometimes even rid them of symptoms. Organic cotton clothing also helps the planet. In the production of one traditional cotton shirt, approximately one pound of chemicals are put into the earth. Traditional cotton production also attributes to 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of worldwide pesticide use.

In most countries Organic cotton is grown during the off-season and rotated with other crops (usually food crops). In order to be considered organic, companies follow very strict guidelines and must be certified through a third party. The entire process is scrutinized during the certification, and the dying process also must not impact the organic nature of the material.

Eco friendly clothing has come a long way in the past few years. A new and rising trend in the eco friendly world is "color grown" cotton. The plants used in this type of organic cotton are cross pollinated with longer stapled cottons. Currently, color grown is only available in light browns, greens, and off whites, but it’s probably only a matter of time before other colors become available. This variation of cotton is also a little stronger than conventional types, allowing for longer use and less maintenance ( no need to iron because it holds its shape).

The progress we have made in the past few years is incredible, but we have a lot further to go. Plant based fabrics are on the rise. Organic hemp, linen, and soy fabrics are all taking up a bigger part of the marketplace. Organic cotton is being woven into different textures such as velour and rayon type. Each purchase you make helps those who work in this industry around the world to make progress toward a healthier planet.