Integration of Cosmetics with Textiles: An emerging area of Functional Textiles – A review

Authors Kanjana Subramanian and Nalankilli Govindan}

Cosmeto textiles, has promising, fast emerging market for both the cosmetics industry and the textile industry. There are different types of Cosmetotextiles which are classified based on end use, ingredients used, and fabric used. A wide range of agents used in Cosmetotextiles are aromas and perfumes, slimming agents, moisturizing agents, anticellulite agents, sunlight absorption agents and antioxidants agents. Cosmetotextiles are fashioned by grafting, microencapsulation, coating technique, doping and by incorporating different substances for health or body care that are steadily transferred to the skin by movement, pressure, or the effect of the skin’s natural warmness. There are various synthetic and natural materials which are used in Cosmetotextiles such as fruit extract, like essential oils, plant extracts, flower extracts, and animal extracts as natural sources along with some synthetic substances including zinc oxide, iron oxide, ethane diol and zinc nano particles and many others. Textiles which provide cosmetic and life functions, such as energizing, slimming, body care, fitness, refreshing, vitalizing, pleasant feeling, skin glowing, anti-ageing, and health, are categorizes as cosmetotextiles. The wellness or health encouraging aspects of textile finishes have become a enjoyable functional matter in the 21st century. Wellness can be described as a pleasant state free from disease, a healthy balance between the human mind and body. Wellness has become a societal determination which symbolizes the wish for everlasting youth against getting old. The extracts of natural products and selected essential oils are added to textiles, which not only have healing and remedial properties but also keep the wearer fresh and energetic. Classification of Cosmeto Textiles, in terms of their control on the human body, cosmetotextiles can be categorized as cosmetotextiles for slimming, moisturizing, refreshing and relaxing, energizing, perfuming, vitalizing, UV protection, improving the firmness and elasticity of skin. Ingredients used in Cosmeto-Textiles, some of the synthetic and inorganic compounds are Zinc oxide, Zn particles, bireactive oxalic acid, Iron oxide, Titanium oxide, and Copper oxide & their benefits in this field are observed as protection against UV radiations, Antimicrobial activity in textiles, Animal Derivatives, Chitosan, Squalene and Sericin are some of the animal derivatives obtained from the exoskeleton of shrimps or Shark liver, crabs, Degumming liquor of silk cocoons and their benefits such as Antibacterial, wound healing, deodorant effect, nourishes and even out moisture level, kindles cell regeneration. Natural antioxidant, protect the skin against photo aging and from brown age spots moisturizing agent, anti-ageing, and anti- wrinkling effects. Plant Derivatives, Aloe vera, Padina Povonica, Flowers, Fruits, Oils are classified as Plant Derivatives and these are derived from Leaves of Aloe Vera plant, Brown algae, wheat germ oil, Innone (Violet), cedaroil (lilac), hydroxycitronellol (lily), alpha hexyleinnamaldehyde (jasmine), Citral (lemon scent), Allylcaproate (rosescent), Anillin (apple scent), Cinnamaldehyde (pineapple), Prenyl acetate (banana), Heliotrotil (cherry), Peppermint, Lavender, Thyme, Sage, Eucalyptus and Camomile oil respectively & their benefits such as Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antimycotic nature, Wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects, maintains elasticity and firmness of the skin, Antioxidant and moisture binding capacity, Aroma for relaxation and refreshment to the wearer Deodorant effect on textiles provides stimulant and relaxation to the wearer, and other wellness effect. Developing Cosmetotextiles using the Microencapsulation Method, Various cosmetic constituents are prone to heat or prone to oxidation, whereas deodorants are volatile. These are the major driving forces to adopt microencapsulation as the chief technique to build up cosmetotextiles. Microencapsulation can prolong the shelf life of various volatile and nonvolatile cosmetic ingredients by delaying oxidation and evaporation, respectively. Cosmeto Fibres, One of the producing process of a cosmetotextile is based on fictionalization of fibers by fixing microcapsules in their structure: NOVOREL nylon microfiber (patented in 2006 by Nurel), incorporates the microcapsules into the polymer of their nylon yarn, before extrusion; – TENCEL C, from Lenzing, have microcapsules of chitosan, – NILIT BREEZE – a new fibre from Nilit, that from side to side a amalgamation of a flat cross-section structure, a unique polymer with inorganic micron particles, and a special texturizing process, make sure the lower of body temperature, EMANA, a bioactive yarn from Rhodia, is created by the mixture of polyamide 6.6 and a polymer with added bioactive crystals of bio ceramic. These crystals are built into the DNA of the fibre itself. The fibers reflect the far infrared rays released by the body back into the skin, helping to normalize the body’s temperature, reducing the accumulation of lactic acid, and humanizing skin tone. Cosmeto fabrics and products, One more method to produce cosmetotextiles is the functionalization of fabrics, so of products made by these fabrics. In this scheme, microcapsules are fixed on the exterior surface of the fabric, ensuing in revolutionary “fabrics’ treatments” for beauty, healthcare, and comfort Euro jersey (an Italian warp knitter) created Sensitive Ultra-Light Firming fabric, which comprises ‘firming lively constituents’ that pick up the elasticity and brilliance of the skin. Sensitive Fabric Body ware, that offers a treatments program for most favorable hygiene and better management of perspiration. To keep the wearer feeling unsullied and fresh all day long increasing comfort in all environments, the fabric includes a silver-based solution that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria helping your clothes to stay fresher, more at ease and in better state for much longer. Furthermore, due to a novel polymer applied on this fabric, it alters properties in reply to body’s temperature, at low temperature it arrests moisture, keeping the body drier and warmer, as temperature increases, and it cools the body. Methods of Application over Textiles, there are essentially different ways of applying cosmetic effects on textiles, Microencapsulation, coating, dope insertion. “Microencapsulation is a micro packaging technique that involves the production of microcapsules which act as barrier walls of solids or liquids”. These capsules are produced by deposition of a thin polymer coating on dispersions of solids in liquids. The core ingredients in these capsules gradually transfer to the skin by the movement, pressure, skin natural warmth and the enzymes thus these cosmetic textiles nurture and renew the skin when worn next to skin, various discovered and unexplored natural materials may find marketable importance via cosmetotextiles.