The 11 Best Clothing Brands for Super-Sensitive Skin
By We asked dermatologists to share the best breathable clothing brands for people with sensitive skin conditions, like hidradenitis suppurativa.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition that causes painful pus-filled cysts and boils on your skin. It occurs generally around areas like your underarms and groin where there are more sweat glands. “Although we do not know what causes it, the dysfunctional hair follicles are surrounded by significant inflammation, leading to bumps that ultimately can turn into sinus tracts and scar tissue,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Robert Finney. The condition tends to happen where skin rubs against skin but can be further exacerbated by friction from where skin rubs against the fabric.
Although hidradenitis suppurativa has no known cure, there are lifestyle changes you can make to help with relief in tandem with medical treatment. Avoiding tight clothes or non-breathable fabrics is one way to reduce both friction and sweat, which are conducive to microbial growth. Here, we’re rounding up a handful of dermatologist-recommended clothing options to help alleviate the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
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1/11ADAY Essentialist T-Shirt
Most workout clothes these days seem to be tight-fitting and compressive — but not this oversized T-shirt made from super-breathable and super-soft modal. With its wide sleeves and loose fit, it’s perfect for everyday wear or to help absorb the sweat away from the body during exercise.
$95 (Shop Now)
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2/11Lunya Washable Silk Pant Set
“There is a little evidence that silk may help with wound healing, compared to leaving the wound alone,” Finney says, so this may be a helpful option for people with HS. Indulge in Lunya’s loungewear with this machine-washable 100 percent silk set, constructed with a loose fit and side slits for range in motion. Silk is a naturally cooling fabric, which can help keep you from overheating at night.
$238 (Shop Now)
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3/11Universal Standard Jemma V Neck Jumpsuit
Your options aren’t just limited to cotton. “Loose weave synthetic fabrics like polyester that wick away moisture are OK as well,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry. This loose-fitting jumpsuit, made with pima cotton and modal, which is a plant-based semi-synthetic that does not retain heat, pulls on easily due to its double V-neck opening. It’s a one-stop-shop for comfort.
$90 (Shop Now)
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4/11Athleta Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pant
Henry also recommends linen fabrics, which are naturally breathable, to her patients. These wide-fit pants, as suggested by Henry, are made with easy-breezy linen that could pair great with Birkenstocks in the summer, allow for freedom of movement, and come in a timeless chambray blue hue.
$79 Shop Now
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5/11Outdoor Voices Nimbus Sweatpant
“Joggers are a perfect uniform for hidradenitis suppurativa patients,” Gohara says. Meaning, yes, wear sweatpants instead of tight-fitting leggings. With so many brands doubling down on or pivoting to selling sweatpants, there is no better time to curate a jogger wardrobe for your style. These classic-fit sweatpants are made with 100 percent cotton, which makes them super breathable, too.
$88 (Shop Now)
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6/11Everlane The Luxe Cotton Side-Slit Tee Dress
“I recommend looking for breathable fabrics that retain the least amount of heat,” advises Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Her top recommendation is 100 percent cotton, like this chic dress — tailored enough for work and comfortable enough to wear at homemade with a relaxed fit and a side split for extra mobility.
$50 (Shop Now)
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7/11Outdoor Voices Nimbus Hoodie
To prevent further friction and irritation to your open wounds, avoid scratchy wool sweaters and get into the matching set trend with this 100 percent cotton hoodie, made with a loose relaxed fit, to complement your sweatpants. “The whole idea is cotton, soft, no friction, breathable clothing,” Gohara recommends.
$88 (Shop Now)
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8/11Skims Body Basics Wide Neck Bralette
“No underwire!” Gohara says. “The skin under the breasts is often implicated in hidradenitis suppurativa. Underwire will just stoke the fire.” Choose supportive bralettes such as this cotton-blend bra instead. Thick straps will also help reduce irritation on the skin.
$36 (Shop Now)
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9/11MeUndies Women’s Boyshort
What’s underneath counts, too. “I often recommend boyshort [underwear], so there is no friction,” says Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara. This is because the groin is one of the areas most commonly affected by hidradenitis suppurativa. MeUndies, made with breathable and sweat-absorbent micro modal, is one of her go-to picks.
$18 (Shop Now)
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10/11Thinx Boyshort
On your period? Gohara highly recommends the Thinx period boyshorts, which holds up to three regular tampons worth of blood. The gusset of this underwear is made with cotton, which adds breathability in the groin, an area that tends to be most susceptible to friction and sweat.
$39 (Shop Now)
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11/11Brother Vellies Cloud Sock
To avoid sweaty feet, consider cotton socks, which are more breathable than their polyester counterparts. Now’s your chance to stock up on these Instagram-famous cotton crew socks — available in a rainbow of colors — from Brother Vellies, which go perfectly with a cool set of kicks or on their own at home.
$35 (Shop Now)
