Ingredient
Polyester (30%)
What is Polyester (30%)?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from petrochemicals typically used in textiles. It is produced through a chemical reaction involving coal, petroleum, air, and water.
In leggings, polyester is valued for its durability, flexibility, and ability to retain shape. Health concerns are minimal since it is primarily used for clothing rather than ingestion.
When you see polyester on a label, it usually refers to the material content of the garment, not an ingredient in food or cosmetics.
Commonly found in: Leggings, Activewear, Outdoor Clothing, Home Textiles
What to watch
- Polyester in textiles can sometimes cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to its synthetic nature.
Benefits
- Polyester is highly durable and resistant to many environmental factors like sunlight and moisture, making it ideal for activewear.
Polyester as a material is not regulated by the FDA as it is not a food additive or cosmetic ingredient.
Research on polyester focuses on its use in textiles, with limited health impact except for possible skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Polyester is derived from petrochemicals and is considered vegan as it contains no animal-derived substances.
Sources: Polyester Fiber
Scout's take
Virgin petroleum-derived plastic fiber making up nearly a third of this garment. Sheds microplastics and confirmed plastic leaching.
More from Scout's analyses
Petroleum-derived plastic fiber. Sheds microplastics during washing and contributes to plastic leaching.
from the analysis of Wood Pocket LeggingsFound in 2 products
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