Updated on June 29th, 2026
There are some powerful individuals who take advantage of something that is shared with the rest of humanity for their own interest, and that is the planet! 🌎
They make cheap products, made with toxic materials, pollute the environment, exploit the labor, and then sell these to us!
We can either wait for the institutions to act to protect us, or we can take action now with our wallets to change the system. We can start now to protect our health and the health of the planet by not feeding the profits of these toxic and extremely wealthy companies. While there are those who keep intoxicating us and polluting the world, it is up to us not to feed this unsustainable system. How? Here is what you can do:
Avoid conventional activewear made with conventional cotton or synthetic materials. The global textile industry produces millions of tons of products each year. 80% of those are petrochemical-based, such as the non-biodegradable polyester fabrics found in conventional athletic clothes. They contain harmful chemicals such as azo dyes, formaldehyde, PFCs, phthalates, heavy metals, chlorine bleach, and VOCs.
It doesn’t matter if they carry a popular label or are made by designers, or made by celebrities, or even made or promoted by influencers that pretend to be “non-toxic”; if they are made with toxic chemicals that are toxic to human health, to the workers, to the animals, and deplete the planet’s resources, there is nothing sexy here. They are not attractive, luxurious, exclusive, or hot! I stopped buying Lululemon (which is investigated for PFAS) and ALO a long time ago for this reason! They overcharge for their toxic plastic clothing. I no longer wear their activewear.
❌ Conventional Cotton Activewear: Avoid conventional cotton of any kind. It is considered the world’s dirtiest crop in the world with its 16% insecticide and 7% pesticide use on the planet! 🌎 Conventional cotton comes from seeds sold by AG chemical companies like Monsanto. Roundup Ready Cotton (RR Cotton), which has been genetically modified to survive the herbicide weapon called glyphosate Roundup, invented by Monsanto. Creating stronger weed resistance to glyphosate, which in turn led to an increase in pesticide use. The glyphosate rate of application per crop year has tripled on cotton farms. According to the Organic Trade Association, cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world, accounting for 16% of global insecticide use. This pesticide use can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and harm to wildlife and human health. Avoid conventional cotton of any kind: conventional cotton = toxic.
❌ Synthetic Activewear: They are all petroleum-derived! Made of polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex, rayon, or polyamide. These clothing items release 9MILLION plastic microfibers into the ocean every time we wash them. They are also responsible for microplastic releases (thousands of plastic microfibers) into the water supply during every wash cycle: they make up 35% of the primary microplastics found in the oceans! 🌎
❌ PFAS: “forever chemicals” PFAS Exposure Linked to Reduced Fertility in Women found in popular activewear clothing brands such:
❌ Unfair Labor: ALO Yoga has faced growing scrutiny regarding its materials, labor transparency, and legal controversies.
Avoid Greenwashing activewear clothing made by brands that pretend to be natural, sustainable, safer, or better when they are not! They will use misleading marketing tricks to convince you to buy their products!
Many eco fashion brands will use their newer greenwashing fabrics as sustainable alternatives while they are still controversial and toxic to us, the parkers, and the environment! 🌎 They use natural fabrics that need toxic solvents or processing.
❌ Greenwashing Cotton: Even if they claim “organic” or “natural” cotton, if they don’t display the GOTS Certified seal, they may have something to hide.
❌ Bamboo Fabric: FTC report about the mislabeling of bamboo “most “bamboo” textile products, if not all, really are rayon, which typically is made using environmentally toxic chemicals in a process that emits hazardous pollutants into the air.”
❌ Bamboo viscose AKA Bamboo rayon: It is a bio-based semi-synthetic material created from cellulose fibers from bamboo. Even though bamboo is grown without pesticides, it is made into viscose, which requires toxic chemicals (chemicals carbon disulfide, solvents such as sodium hydroxide — a.k.a caustic soda) and a polluting process. Plus, it is mostly made in China! Therefore, bamboo viscose is greenwashing.
❌ Viscose AKA Rayon: Viscose Rayon is responsible for deforestation in Indonesia. Every year, 3.2 billion trees are cut down to make paper packaging or fabrics such as rayon and viscose. Viscose fabric is made from cellulose that’s been extracted from the bark, wood, or leaves of plants. It’s most often made from bamboo, pine, or eucalyptus trees. Viscose is used to make clothing (especially loungewear and activewear), sheets, and bedding. Viscose is toxic: chemicals are then used to break down cellulose so it can be spun into viscose, some of which are toxic. One of the most ubiquitous and dangerous is carbon disulfide.
❌ Modal: viscose that has been made using a closed-loop production process. This more sustainable process also tends to lead to slightly stronger, more durable fabrics.
❌ Lyocell: its processing also omits certain harmful chemicals altogether.
❌ Lenzing: Lenzing is a fiber production company based in Austria.
❌ Tencel: Tencel is Lenzing’s trademarked version of lyocell or modal yarn
❌ Recycled synthetic material: it still releases microplastics when washing
❌ Controversial manufacturing: dresses made by exploiting child labor and in other unfair environments
The best activewear clothing are made with all-natural, safer material that respects us, our skin, the farmers, workers, and the planet. 🌎
The best activewear clothing is made with certified organic natural materials such as cotton, wool, silk, alpaca, hemp or linen. When choosing safer and non-toxic cotton legging, the best cotton you can get is: GOTS Certified Organic Cotton.
🍃 The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the best leading textile independent certification for organic fibers. It is responsibly and sustainably grown without pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This is better for us, then planet and for the farmers. They also include ecological and social criteria of the entire textile supply chain. GOTS supervises how fibers and textiles must be ginned, knitted, woven, dyed, manufactured, and labeled. Also processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution. To Be certiifed organic textiles it is needs to be made from at least 95% certified organic natural fibers.
🍃It also certifies that the production has respected ecological rules on waste, water use, disposal, and protection of the environment, that it has followed rules that respect the workers, and finally, protection for the consumer’s health. Brands that carry the GOTS certification don’t allow pesticides or insecticides in their cotton; their dyes cannot contain toxic material, and the production has to follow strict environmental rules. Making these items completely sustainable. 💗
GOTS Certified Organic cotton is incredibly soft and durable, compared to conventional cotton. Organic cotton even prevents skin rash and protects delicate skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, and skin allergies, chemical sensitivity, and psoriasis or eczema. Especially for baby’s skin!
☁️Certified GOTS organic cotton is made without toxic chemicals and pesticides. It protects the soil, and compared to conventional cotton, organic cotton saves:
✅ OEKO-TEX certification, which requires a product to be free of more than 1,000 harmful chemicals, including the intentional use of PFAS
✅ The Fair Trade Certified Factory logo means these brands partner with Fair Trade Certified™ factories that provide safe working conditions, community support, and additional development funds to those working on-site.
By choosing only GOTS Certified Organic, OEKO-TEX Certified and Fair Trade Certified activewear, we are sending a clear message to the toxic and greenwashing cotton companies: their marketing strategies are not working with us. We are telling the companies (the ones with only financial goals in mind) we won’t pay for their toxic or misleading products, that we demand better: more transparent, fairer and eco-conscientious products made with respect for the environment! 🌎
🍃By not supporting their brands, and choosing only certiifed organic and safer products, we are reshaping the market for better and more responsible products. I am determined to support only companies that care about us and the planet. 🌎
💚I decided to wear only Organic Cotton or other natural fibers, I searched for only Certified Organic products and look at what I found! Once you try organic cotton, you won’t go back! I just placed another order!!😉
Here you can find my favorite GOTS Certified Organic cotton brands, the best organic replacement for Lululemon or ALo activewear
My number one certified organic activewear brand recommendations are:
Shop with my links to support my research!💖
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL15
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
20% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
MATE Organic Cotton Clothing.
🌿Made sustainably here in Los Angeles using all-natural, organic material and safer dyes! 👉They provide comfortable essentials that are safer for us and the planet! Plus, they are super cute! ✅ They use organic yards and dyes that protect our skin, the workers, and the environment! 🌿 Sourcing Organic preserves and improves the full production process and the soil! 👉When you buy organic, it means no pesticides, endocrine disruptors, or other toxic chemicals end up in your closet and skin!! By having the opportunity to buy organic, there is no excuse for supporting the polluting and greedy conventional fashion industry! Buying conventional clothing feeds the toxic cycle! 👉I would rather buy and support organic clothing brands that are taking extra steps and efforts to not contribute to the irresponsible pollution, toxic waste, waste of resources, and worker abuse of the greedy fashion industry!! ✅ Organic clothing brands offer us sustainable options made with natural materials and dyes that respect us, the workers, and the planet's resources!
Like these organic leggings and organic sports bra made by MATE:
MATERIAL: 92% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton / 8% Spandex
💖Mate is one of my favorite organic activewear brands! It is the perfect replacement for Lululemon and ALO, which use primarily synthetic materials!
👉ALO yoga fabric is made with polyester elastane. 👉Lululemon uses a blend of nylon and Lycra, or they use synthetic blends. ❌Synthetic fabrics are petroleum-derived, which release microplastic pollution, and they are not the best to put on your skin! Also, their dyes are synthetically derived ✅ Mate is the perfect replacement for healthier, more responsible, and sustainable activewear 🌿They use GOTS certified organic cotton, and it's all made here in Los Angeles, where the working conditions and salaries are guaranteed to be fair and under stricter control than in some other parts of the world! Mate offers a beautiful collection, they also have a men and kids collection! With Mate around, who needs to shop again in the synthetic, polluting world!
✅ This Organic clothing brand offers us sustainable options made with natural materials and dyes that respect us, the workers, and the planet's resources!
💖Lezat makes an amazing collection of organic activewear.
This beautiful Organic Tennis dress is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton!
Lezat is a Climate Neutral, women-owned and operated brand that operates in a Zero Waste, Solar-Powered, and WRAP-certified factory where health, safety, and fair wages are priorities.
Their products are made with natural materials; they use all GOTS-certified organic cotton, Bio-based elastane derived from corn, which is a newer, safer, sustainable, and innovative spandex alternative. They are made in Los Angeles!
🌿 This Organic tennis dress is made with the most sustainable material available: GOTS Certified organic cotton, safer dyes, and bio-based elastane. Designed to fit comfortably and support any size and shape.
MATERIAL: GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
🌿 Allwear Organic Shorts are made with GOTS Certified Organic and OEKO-TEK Certified Organic Cotton.
These Organic Pants are comfortable and soft thanks to the organic cotton fleece blend. They feature a lightweight design, side zipper pockets, and ribbed ankle cuffs.
This Organic clothing brand offers great organic activewear and sustainable options made with natural materials and dyes that respect us, the workers, and the planet's resources! Allwear natural fabrics are made with certified organic material:
MATERIAL: 95% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, 5% elastane
Organic Basics Activewear is sustainable is it is made from recycled material versus creating new.
Recycling nylon helps reduce the environmental impact of its production by conserving resources and diverting waste from landfills.
This sustainable activewear is made with recycled nylon which is typically made with pre-consumer waste.
Known for its durability, nylon can withstand frequent washing and wear without losing its shape. Additionally, its flexible and compressive properties make it an excellent choice for activewear.
Made in better working conditions means living wages, no child labor, freely chosen employment, and respect for the environment
The PETA "Vegan Approved" logo indicates that the product is cruelty-free and that it does not contain any animal products or by-products.
✅ GRS Certified Recycled Nylon
MATERIAL: 60% Recycled Nylon, 40% Elastane
🌸Cottonique uses the most cotton content on their garments. They are the only ones made with only 100% cotton and all certified organic. ☁️
🌿 Most undergarments sold contain some form of latex or Spandex in the elastic of the waistband and leg openings, and they are problem causing people with skin allergies! These are created with allergies in mind: an allergy-free undergarment without any latex or Spandex. Designed for active women with sensitive skin.
This organic sports bra and organic leggings are made with 100% chemical-free, GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric,
🌿These organic activewear pieces remain soft and supple on the skin while keeping you free from allergies. Also, latex and Spandex-free elastic, which they made sure to wrap in pure organic cotton to further prevent irritation
🌿Designed to give you ultimate support, comfort, and protection from allergies with 100% chemical-free, GOTS-certified, organic cotton fabric.
MATERIAL: 100% chemical-free, GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric
💚Pact makes one of my favorite Organic Activewear, all made with GOTS-certified cotton that guarantees the safest and most eco-friendly clothing out there, and prevents skin rash and protects delicate skin!
🍃Their cotton is incredibly soft and durable, compared to conventional cotton (considered the dirtiest crop in the world with its 16% insecticide and 7% pesticide use on the planet!) ☁️Certified GOTS organic cotton is made without toxic chemicals and pesticides.
It protects the soil and 💦water (81% less water used) and energy⚡️ (62% less energy), while 👩🌾protecting farmers who work the crop! The manufacturing, the workers, the dyes, and the cotton are all under the strict regulations that protect us and the environment. No pesticides or toxic and water-polluting dyes here.
Sustainable, eco-friendly, high-quality, and affordable 🍃These leggings are the best!
They have very handy pockets, great for traveling, gym walks, and everyday looks!
MATERIAL: GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
🌿 Delilah Home was created by Michael Twer, the CEO/President of Delilah Home and Chairman of the Organic Trade Association Fiber Council!
Delilah Home offers an organic home collection of organic towels, organic beach towels, organic kitchen towels, organic sheets, and organic beddings.
💗 These organic sport towels are made with made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, eco-friendly. To keep in your organic sport kit in your organic gym bag, along with your organic activewear.
Great for tennis and any sports.
Sustainable, Super Absorbent, and Antimicrobial.
These eco-friendly towels dry you 4x faster and fight plastic waste. Lightweight, stylish, and made from 100% recycled bottles.
Made from Recycled Materials: Each towel uses between 25-60 recycled plastic bottles, reducing plastic waste and supporting a healthier planet.
MATERIAL: made with 24-60 recycled plastic bottles
🌿 This amazing bag prevents microfiber pollution while washing loads of synthetic material.
Guppyfriend (made of durable polyamide monofilaments) trap these from your clothes without shedding themselves.
The GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag reduces fiber shedding during washing, helping to prevent microplastics from entering waterways by filtering microfibers before they are released.
Washing Bag is made out of polyester, it does not lose any microplastics itself.
The reason for this is the special structure of the yarn and its properties. The yarn of our filter material consists of a single strand of thread, a so-called monofilament.
It is recommended for when it's time to wash your clothing made with recycled fibers, such as sustainable swimwear, sustainable activewear, and sustainable shoes.
Always use safer organic laundry detergent, organic delicate wash detergent, oxygen brighter, organic baby laundry, laundry stain remover, and organic dryer balls.
Place synthetic and delicate clothing inside the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag. Ensure that you fully close the zipper into the zipper cover. Wash the bag with other garments at a maximum temperature of 40°C. After washing, dispose of the collected microfibres in the residual or general waste.
MATERIAL: polyester, polyamide monofilaments it does not lose any microplastics itself.
I don't recommend Reprise Activewear and leggings.
Even though they are OEKO TEX 100 Certified, which means it has been rigorously tested for over 1,000 harmful substances, they are made with not-so-favorite materials. They are synthetic or semi-synthetic. If they truly want to be sustainable, they should use natural and organic fibers such as wool, alpaca, silk, hemp, or cotton!
MATERIAL: 93% TENCEL™ Lyocell/7% Spandex. TENCEL™ or 85% Biodegradable Polyamide/15% Recycled Spandex.
❌ TENCEL™ Lyocell: Semi-Synthetic
❌ Spandex: Synthetic
❌ Biodegradable Polyamide: Synthetic. Polyamide is the technical name for Nylon, which is entirely petroleum-based and 100% synthetic.
❌ Recycled Spandex: Synthetic
I don't recommend Pangaia leggings and Actiwear
Not organic or sustainable, no certifications. They are made with synthetic materials and conventional cotton, which is responsible for toxic pesticides. Plus, no mention of dye certification. If they truly want to be sustainable, they should use natural and organic fibers such as wool, alpaca, silk, hemp, or cotton and GOTS-certified dyes.
MATERIAL: 68% Cotton, 27% Polyamide, 5% Elastane
❌ Conventional Cotton leggings: Avoid conventional cotton of any kind. Any cotton brand without the GOTS Organic Certification seal is considered conventional = toxic. 🌎 Conventional cotton is considered the dirtiest crop in the world, with its 16% insecticide and 7% pesticide use on the planet!