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Protecting Your Body Starts with Your Skin
Your skin is more than just the outer layer you see — it’s your body’s first line of defense. It shields you from harmful bacteria, viruses, and environmental hazards while also alerting you when something is wrong inside your body (Kong, 2015). From subtle changes in skin color to unusual moles or rashes, paying attention to your skin can help catch health issues early. But maintaining healthy skin isn’t just about hygiene — it’s also about the choices we make with clothing, fabrics, and personal care products.
The Microbiome: Small but Mighty
Skin health plays a major role in our overall well-being, yet it’s often the part we forget about most. We spend so much time thinking about fitness, strength, or endurance that we sometimes overlook the body’s largest and most protective organ. A healthy skin barrier is essential as it keeps harmful bacteria out and reduces the risk of infections and irritation (Kong, 2015).
Beneath the surface, our skin is home to a diverse community of beneficial microorganisms known as the skin microbiome. These tiny helpers support the immune system and contribute to long-term skin health (Grice & Segre, 2011). And beyond protection, our skin also communicates what’s happening inside our bodies. New rashes, unusual moles, or changes in color or texture can be early signs of allergies, hormonal shifts, or even autoimmune concerns (Kong, 2015). In other words, when the skin speaks, it’s worth paying attention.
Your Clothes Are Messing With Your Skin (Sometimes)
Your clothing plays a much bigger role in your skin health than most of us ever think about. All day long, fabric is basically glued to your body — soaking up sweat, heat, and microbes like a sponge. And when all that moisture gets trapped, it creates the perfect little sauna for bacteria and fungi to thrive (Broadhead, 2021). That’s when irritation, odor, and even skin infections start showing up. In fact, tight or non-breathable clothing is a well-documented risk factor for skin and soft-tissue infections (Van Herreweghen et al., 2020).
But here’s the good news: choosing the right fabrics can make a huge difference. Breathable, antimicrobial materials help your skin stay calm, cool, and balanced. Nano silver ions, for example, work by disrupting bacterial cell membranes, stopping odor-causing bacteria before they multiply — reducing them by 99.9% without leaching onto your skin (Rai, 2009). And unlike the usual “moisture-wicking” fabrics that still hang onto some sweat, advanced textiles actually keep you dry and comfortable instead of sticky and steamy.
Oya’s apparel shows exactly what that looks like in real life: 87% of users report fewer infections, 94% dry off faster after workouts, and the fabrics help keep the body about 2–3 °F cooler during activity (Oya Apparel, 2025). Everything is also lab-tested free from over 80,000 harmful chemicals — including BPA, PFA, and PFOA.
Vulvar Skin Health
Vulvar skin is particularly sensitive and can be prone to irritation and infections. Up to 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lifetime (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Risk factors include tight, synthetic clothing, prolonged exposure to wet swimsuits, and the use of scented tampons, sprays, or soaps.
Prevention Tips:
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Laundry: Use detergents with clean ingredients, avoid fabric softeners, and hand-wash undergarments (Teufel et al., 2010).
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Clothing: Wear breathable cotton underwear and loose-fitting garments (Teufel et al., 2010).
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Personal Care: Avoid scented products in the vulvar area (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
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Lifestyle: Change out of wet clothing as soon as possible, such as swimsuits or gym clothes (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infections are common—but largely preventable with the right care and habits. Up to 3 in 4 women will experience one at least once in their lives, and about half will have two or more (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference: avoid douching and scented products that disrupt your skin’s natural microbiome, choose breathable fabrics like cotton or antimicrobial blends, and change out of damp clothing quickly. These habits help limit moisture and bacteria buildup, which are key triggers for irritation and infection.
Your Skin Doesn’t Lie — Listen to It
Skin health goes beyond appearance; it reflects what’s happening inside the body. Bacteria trapped in pores, immune system issues, and even exposure to allergens can all contribute to skin problems (Grice & Segre, 2011). Factors like sweat, friction, and poor airflow from tight or synthetic clothing can worsen these conditions. Maintaining good hygiene, paying attention to body signals, and wearing breathable, antimicrobial fabrics — like those used in Oya apparel — help the skin do what it’s designed to do: protect you.
Healthy Skin = Healthy You
Healthy skin is essential for overall health — it protects the body, signals when something is wrong, and supports the immune system. Everyday decisions, from the fabrics you wear to the personal care products you use, can influence skin health. Breathable, antimicrobial, chemical-free clothing not only helps reduce bacterial and fungal growth but also improves comfort, odor control, and overall well-being (Oya Apparel, 2025.; Broadhead, 2021). Investing in your skin is investing in your health — and it starts with making informed choices about what touches your body.
References
Broadhead, R. (2021). The future of functional clothing for an improved skin and textile microbiome relationship. Microorganisms, 9(1192). https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms09101192
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8226598/
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Vaginal yeast infection: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5019-vaginal-yeast-infection
Grice, E. A., & Segre, J. A. (2011). The skin microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 9, 244–253. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2537
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535073/
Kong, H. H. (2015). Keep your skin healthy. NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/11/keep-your-skin-healthy (Quote from NIH dermatologist Dr. Heidi Kong.)
Møllebjerg, A., et al. (2021). The bacterial life cycle in textiles is governed by fiber type and textile structure. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87(12), e00593-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00593-21
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8515937/
Oya Femtech Apparel. (2025). The science of infection prevention. Oya. https://wearoya.com/pages/science
Rai, M., Yadav, A., & Gade, A. (2009). Silver nanoparticles as a new generation of antimicrobials. Biotechnology Advances, 27(1), 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2008.09.002
Teufel, L., et al. (2010). Material-dependent growth of human skin bacteria on textiles. Journal of Applied Microbiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19645767/
Van Herreweghen, F., et al. (2020). Biological and chemical processes that lead to textile odour formation: A review. Microorganisms. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8091381
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7692034/