PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COSMETIC TEXTILES WITH ANTI-ACNE EFFECT

Abstract

Functionalized textiles are rapidly becoming a promising area of research because of their potential applications in a variety of fields, including biomedicine, environmental protection, and consumer products. One of the most promising methods for functionalizing textiles is the use of dispersions. The use of dispersions containing natural products such as plant extracts and clays can also provide additional benefits such as sustainability and environmental friendliness. In this study, we have dealt with the physical-mechanical characterization of cotton fabrics treated with two different dispersions. The dispersions used contain a combination of freeze-dried plant extracts such as propolis, aloe vera, calendula, plantain, and blue clay. A cosmetotextile product should have physical-mechanical properties that allow the user to wear it comfortably and obtain the desired benefits. First, contact angle analysis was used to investigate the textile's ability to absorb liquids. Second, resistance to acid and alkaline perspiration was analysed to determine the durability of the applied finishing treatment using a SEM in conjunction with a EDS. Finally, a water vapor transmission analysis was performed to determine the extent to which the treatment affects the breathability of the textile. Overall, these analyses provide information for the development of functionalized textiles and demonstrate the potential benefits of using dispersions containing natural products in textile treatment. Our study is part of a larger project to develop new functionalized textiles with improved efficacy in curing certain forms of acne. Therefore, further testing of the antimicrobial activity of the treated textiles will be conducted as the ultimate goal is to validate the product: Toxicity tests on various primary cells and macrophages, as well as in vitro tests on wound infection.

Keywords

• antibacterial
• functionalized textile
• lyophilized extract
• dispersion
• blue clay.