IDM - Cosmeto Textiles The wearable cosmetics
Have you ever thought that you can have a hybrid textile product containing cosmetics or skin care substance that releases graduallyon the skin once encounterand performing propertiessuch as revitalizing, protection, quality enhancement, perfuming, improving appearance, etc.Cosmetotextiles is an innovative approachby beauty and fashion industries for growth in the field of smart textiles.This movement in fashion, beauty/skin care is the hybrid of textiles and cosmetics called ‘cosmetotextiles’.
This innovation has been possible by using microencapsulation technology. This technology involves generation of a capsule in which cosmetic ingredients are inserted. These microcapsules absorbed by the textile substrate and this technology is also called nanotechnology. Liquid or solid agents such as drugs, proteins, hormones, cosmetics, etc acts as an active ingredient depending upon suitability of application area.
Cosmetotextile products have both pros and cons, i.e. after certain washes itsefficancy decreases. After certain washes, the consumer would loose quantity of the active ingredients, but it also defers from product to product or ingredient to ingredient and this is major limitation to these invention.Companies provide refill/ recharge spray bottles that contains microcapsules. When effect of products decreases, the consumer can recharge his/her product by spraying on required areas of product.
Cosmetic ingredients used in cosmetotextiles include both synthetic and natural compounds like iron oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, ranitidine derivatives, Aloe Vera, Ginseng, Fruits, Essential oils, Flowers, etc.
The methods used for manufacturing cosmetotextile are applied to fabrics without affecting any quality or any property fabrics. But the fabrics used for manufacturing cosmetotextile should have good fastness to washability, required fiber strength, high elasticity, and appropriate weaving or knitting. Strength and elasticity are very important as the products experience abrasion with the body for working with cosmetic ingredients. So fabrics that possess all the above qualities are nylon i.e. lycra fabric, nylon with cotton, silk with synthetics, hosiery, etc. Generally, knitted fabrics are preferred as they have good elasticity but construction should be compact as strength is concerned. Raised 3-D weft knit fabrics are quite popular and effective especially for slimming products.
Cosmeto-textiles could be the next big thing. Many companies have intensively researched and proved that the technology works and has the potential to be a commercial success. Companies like Complife, Dupont, Adidas, Hexoskin, AiQ smart clothing, Lux, Derma wear, and many more are manufacturing cosmetotextiles. Even in India, Society of Dyers and Colourists, South India Textile Research Association, and many textile industries from Tirupur are working on developing the market for cosmetotextiles in an ecofriendly way.
The trend shows that the development of cosmetotextiles reflects the needs of self-care consciousness of people in the present living condition. Undoubtedly, cosmetotextiles can provide certain advantages to the wearers, the effects should be objectively assessed and reported. The outlook of the cosmetotextiles as a new type of highly added value product is promising with the improved living standards and increasing numbers of living quality conscious consumers.
