These brands are avoiding fashion’s most toxic chemicals

Chemicals are routinely used in clothing manufacture, but some, like PFAS and phthalates, are harmful. Here are the ones to be aware of, and the brands working to avoid chemicals.

Toxic chemicals are still showing up in fashion

Considering how you interact with chemicals is nothing new, whether it’s the foods you eat, the skincare you use, the products you use in your home, or the things you wear. But there’s been a growing interest in what’s in our clothes recently as reports show some fast fashion brands are selling clothes containing harmful substances, and that loopholes in shipping practices allow this to happen.

In 2025, a Greenpeace investigation tested 56 garments from SHEIN and found that 18 of them, including children’s clothes, contained hazardous chemicals above the limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH). The report noted that due to the way sellers on SHEIN ship products (ie directly to the consumer), they can circumvent the region’s REACH regulations which helps to protect humans and the environment from the risks and harm posed by certain chemicals by addressing the way chemicals are tested, used, and managed in the EU.

Another investigation by authorities in Seoul, South Korea, found harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and dioxane in items from the likes Temu, AliExpress, and, yes, SHEIN. These latest reports demonstrate that ultra fast fashion retailers aren’t doing enough to address the issue of harmful chemicals in clothing, as Greenpeace’s earlier 2022 report contained similar findings. It’s not just fast fashion, either, as a 2023 article by Alden Wicker in The Guardian noted multiple instances of harmful chemicals in clothing, including health issues arising from chemicals in flight attendants’ uniforms, and industrial chemical BPA being found in sports socks.

It’s not always possible to know what is in the clothes you’re buying, but opting for brands that have sought certified materials or committed to eliminating chemicals from their products is a good approach. We’ve suggested a few such brands and certifications or standards below.

First though, check out this need-to-know guide on the chemicals commonly used or discussed in the context of fashion.

Chemicals used in the growing process

Pesticides

Conventional cotton (non-organic) and other plant fibres may grown using many pesticides which can linger in the finished product. Pesticides are well-known toxins and have been linked to major health concerns in humans, including respiratory problems and even cancer.

Dyeing process

AZO dyes

Azo dyes are a group of dyes that are used to colour clothing because they are cheap and produce a strong result, but unfortunately they have a carcinogenic nature when they break down. These dyes are banned in the EU, China, and heavily restricted elsewhere due to their toxicity, but they can still show up in fast fashion clothing produced in other parts of the world. Since azo dyes are water-soluble, this makes them easy for your skin to absorb and, as a result, may cause symptoms including skin and eye irritation.

Finishing process

Formaldehyde

Clothing labelled as wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant have usually been chemically finished using formaldehyde, since it has excellent preserving properties. This chemical is a carcinogen, and has been known to cause skin irritation, and even cause headaches or a sore throat. This chemical has been boycotted by Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, who insists that a slightly wrinkled piece of clothing is better than one smothered in chemicals.

PFAS and PFCS

Clothing that is stain- or water-resistant is typically made this way using a group of chemicals called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or PFCS (Perfluorocarbon). They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their reluctance to break down. Consistent, high exposure to these chemicals can cause a variety of health issues, and is even linked to infertility and certain types of cancer. Although you are unlikely to be highly exposed to these chemicals when wearing clothing, it is still important to be aware of them and to avoid them whenever possible.

Phthalates

Frequently used in activewear and sportswear, phthalates are known endocrine disrupters. They have been found to be linked to hormone disruption and are cancerous. Phthalates are often used in decorative printing in clothes, such as logos or accessories.

Chromium

When you buy leather goods, chances are they’ve been treated using chromium salts during the tanning process. Chromium can cause respiratory problems and rashes. Plus, it’s often not disposed of correctly, poisoning the environment.

What you can do:

• Wash your clothes before the first wear to try to rid them of any chemical residue.
• Look for clothing that is plant-dyed or clothing that isn’t dyed at all, which is usually noted as undyed.
• Opt for organic cotton, organic hemp, and organic linen, instead of conventional options that may have been grown with pesticides. Be aware, however, that other chemicals may still have been used in the manufacturing process.
• Look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Oeko-Tex certification on clothing label, as these organisations prohibit the use of certain toxic chemicals and dyes in the clothing they certify. Just be sure to check the exact version as the rules may differ
• Urge your favourite brands to be more transparent in what chemicals they use, and encourage them to implement chemical-reduction strategies. Nothing will change if no one demands change.

Brands working to avoid or reduce chemicals

It’s not easy to completely avoid chemicals for everything, but here we’re sharing some brands that are built on the mission to reduce the amount of chemicals used in their products, that are certified, or that are offering lower-chemical alternatives to product categories that are conventionally very high in chemicals, such as activewear.

The post These brands are avoiding fashion’s most toxic chemicals appeared first on Good On You.