Fashion is getting smarter with fabrics that soothe, hydrate and protect, a shift that Bushra Hakim explores.
Skincare is no longer confined to bottles, jars and tubes. It’s slipping into our wardrobes, quite literally. As fashion grows smarter and beauty grows in demand, a new category has emerged: cosmetotextiles, fabrics infused with ingredients traditionally used in cosmetics. Think aloe vera-soaked loungewear, probiotic tops and even antioxidant-releasing clothing.
While it may sound like something born out of a futuristic lab, this blend of textiles and topical ingredients is gaining real-world traction. And it’s easy to see why: we’re already wearing clothes every day, so why not make the most of them? In a region where sun exposure and hydration are everyday concerns, clothing that offers an added layer of care feels like the best next step. Here are five brands leading the charge, each with its own inventive take on skincare you can wear.
COOLIBAR
While many brands are only now dipping into wellness-infused fabrics, Coolibar has long specialised in one of the most important forms of wearable skincare: sun protection. Rather than adding ingredients, the brand prioritises fabric engineering. Its textiles are tested to deliver UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50+, meaning they block at least 98% of UVA and UVB rays, the same rays responsible for premature ageing, pigmentation and long-term skin damage. Use of fabrics like ZnO and Aqua Classic, which incorporate UV-blocking particles directly into the fibres, makes the protection long-lasting and wash-resistant. Unlike regular clothing, whose sun protection varies by weave and colour, the pieces offer tested, certified coverage. For those living in warm climates, this is arguably one of the most practical forms of wearable skincare. It lets you reduce sun exposure just by getting dressed, something sunscreen alone can’t always guarantee.
COPERNI
Parisian label Coperni, founded by Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, has always embraced innovation, from spraying dresses onto models to blending couture with tech. Its latest experiment, the C+ Carewear line, ventures into the territory of cosmetotextiles, using fabrics infused with a patented symbiotic blend of probiotics and prebiotics developed by Swiss textile specialists HeiQ. The fabric is bio-based, stretchy and biodegradable, designed to sit close to the skin. With movement and body heat, the garments gradually release beneficial bacteria intended to support the skin’s microbiome, which plays a key role in barrier function, hydration and overall balance. The collection includes bodysuits, leggings and long-sleeved tops, all cut in Coperni’s signature sporty-minimal aesthetic.
GRÄFFENBERG
Gräffenberg pushes the boundaries of cosmetotextiles with its G-Cotton fabric – a blend of cotton and hemp infused with copper oxide particles and microencapsulated Coenzyme Q10. Copper oxide is known for its antimicrobial and deodorising properties, while CoQ10 is a trusted antioxidant used widely in skincare for its ability to support the skin’s natural repair processes. These garments release CoQ10 gradually onto the skin, while the copper element offers added hygienic freshness. Gräffenberg positions its pieces as functional, long-lasting essentials designed with wellness in mind, and the brand also emphasises sustainability through organic cotton, hemp fibres and recycled packaging.
LC
Founded in Dubai in 2019 by entrepreneur Lyndsay Doran, LC was created with a simple idea that everyday essentials should feel as luxurious and comforting as loungewear, without compromising style. With LC’s Aloe Collection, everyday basics get a gentle, skin-loving twist. The brand uses a modal jersey that’s finished with an aloe vera treatment, creating pieces that feel soft, cool and soothing on contact. Aloe is, of course, a classic comfort ingredient known for its calming and moisturising properties. The focus here is on comfort, not miracle skincare results. The brand’s aloe-treated tops and loungewear pieces offer a subtle enhancement in wear, ideal for travel, long workdays or simply relaxing at home. The soft and breathable material makes the wearer both look and feel good.
PH5
Founded by Wei Lin with Australian designer Zoe Champion leading the creative direction, PH5 has always blurred the lines between engineering and knitwear design. The label introduced hyaluronic acid-infused sleepwear through its PJ5 line. It uses the brand’s HydraKNIT technology, where EcoVero viscose yarn is embedded with microcapsules of hyaluronic acid (HA). The idea is both surprisingly logical and slightly luxurious: as you move during sleep, the friction helps release microdoses of the ingredient, forming a light, moisture-retaining layer on your skin. HA is famous for its water-binding properties, so incorporating it into sleepwear is a clever twist, especially for those who wake up feeling a little parched. It’s beauty sleep made literal, with moisture support being delivered quietly throughout the night, without the extra step of applying yet another product, very much in line with the modern push for passive, effortless self-care.