top of page

plastic detox // part one: what touches your skin first

  • Writer: Lily Collard
    Lily Collard
  • May 5
  • 4 min read

here we go. today is going to be enlightening… or it’s going to be a little depressing. both can be true at the same time. I’m here to help you sort through the reality of how plastic has quietly taken over basically everything we touch, wear, drink, and use, including disrupting your natural hormone balance.

so, i’m starting a new series called “the plastic detox” based on years of my family slowly replacing and reworking our everyday choices. not overnight, not perfectly — just consistently pulling plastic out where it doesn’t belong. i’ll start today simple and grounded, but it will get more detailed, more practical, and a little more eye-opening as we go. one category at a time. no overwhelming nonsense. just clarity.

let's make the world more livable & a whole lot less plastic.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


today is simple: your clothes. especially what you wear closest to your body.

because before skincare, before supplements, before any “detox” trend — your skin is already in contact with what you wear for 12–24 hours a day. and most of it is plastic disguised as fabric.

polyester. nylon. spandex. acrylic.
they’re everywhere. cheap, stretchy, convenient — and built from petroleum-based fibers that don’t belong on skin meant to breathe.

over time, synthetic fabrics shed microfibers. they rub off in heat, friction, and washing. they end up in water systems, in food chains, and yes — they also sit directly against your body all day long.

so the first shift is not complicated:

  1. start with your base layer


    underwear, bras, socks, sleepwear. this is where synthetic fabrics matter most — because it’s constant contact. swap to:
    1. 100% cotton
    2. organic cotton
    3. wool (for wool undergarments, brands like wooly.com are a solid place to look if you want something built for daily wear without synthetic blends.) this isn’t about perfection. it’s about reducing what your skin is absorbing all day, every day.

  1. zooming out: why people are paying attention to plastics + the body


    this isn’t just a lifestyle preference. there’s an ongoing scientific conversation around plastics and how they interact with biological systems. many plastics contain or break down into compounds that are studied as endocrine disruptors — meaning they may interfere with hormonal signaling in the body. hormones regulate metabolism, stress response, growth, and reproductive function.

research is actively looking at possible links between:
  • long-term exposure to certain plastic-associated chemicals
  • changes in hormonal balance
  • reproductive health markers (including fertility-related measures in some studies)
  • environmental accumulation of microplastics in air, food, and water systems

    this is not a simple cause-and-effect story. it’s a cumulative exposure question — long-term, layered, and still being studied. but what is already clear is this: modern life includes constant contact with plastic-derived materials in ways that did not exist for previous generations. clothing, packaging, dust, water systems, food storage — it’s everywhere.

  1. how to actually transition


    don’t overreact. but, all of this is true & we need to keep spreading the harm plastic is causing. replace things in your life.

things to start replacing (just an idea for now):

  • start with underwear
  • then bras
  • then sleepwear
  • then socks

where to look


i created an amazon list called "the plastic detox" that you can take a look at to help you out. everything on there is easily accessible & the perfect way to look at what you can replace now instead of doing all sorts of crazy research. go to it here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2VXH47REOBE30?ref_=wl_share

keep it practical & consistent. this is just the first layer of the plastic detox. we’ll get into everything else —what you drink from, what you eat out of, what you put on your skin, what you clean your home with. glass instead of plastic water bottles when you’re out. skipping hot coffee in plastic-lined cups. avoiding takeout containers when they’re still steaming. switching dairy to glass bottles when you can. reworking makeup, skincare, cleaning products. all of it matters. just not all at once. because this isn’t about fear. it’s about reducing what your body has to deal with — consistently. think of your future generations & yourself. this will be one of the most important transitions in your life. i know it can be so depressing & overwhelming, knowing you've already exposed yourself (or sometimes without knowing) to these harmful plastics, but take a breath. throughout this series, i'll do my absolute best to guide you & help you go from living with plastics to living without. trust me. it's a much better life to live. transitioning now is better than transitioning in ten years. and, of course you cannot live absolutely plastic-free (if you can, that is so so good), but you can limit your exposure. remember that. your clothes won't always all be 100% cotton or/& wool (or maybe they are. if so you're a pro & i'm proud of you 💪🏻) so keep that in mind! but do everything in your power to limit exposure.

so let's go. one layer at a time. we got this. until next post (look for new posts for this series on mondays). pray without ceasing! rejoice! don't be downtrodden over such things like the ones in this post. the Lord has enlightened our eyes to see the harm of it & is helping us detox now! praise the Lord. enjoy life's precious moments.

many blessings
bylilyjohanna





2 Comments


Julie
Julie
May 10

Ahhh I am so excited for your future posts, Lily! I've stopped wearing polyester clothes as often as before, because cotton really is so so much more comfortable. But I really didn't think very deeply about how my skin could be absorbing the microfibers from the plastic. I'm glad you mentioned it haha - I now am very glad I wear cotton!! So many things are plastic now - food containers, water bottles, kids' toys, clothes - it's really terrible, but I'm glad I'm not the only person who's worried!

Like
Lily Collard
Lily Collard
May 11
Replying to

that is so good to hear!! absolutley it truly is so unreal. we gotta make the world less plastic haha!

Like

© 2035 by 360° TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS.

Powered and secured by Wix

bottom of page