Meryl Skinlife fabric is extremely, comfortable with a soft, silky touch but don't be fooled by its luxurious feel. It is a hard-working, high-performance fabric too!
Bacterial Control
Skin normally has bacteria present. Imbalances in the level of bacteria, as well as a complete absence, creates problems such as allergies, odor, and even illness. Meryl Skinlife fabrics do not contain a bactericide so they do not decrease the bacterial level lower than what is normally present on the skin. The fabrics help to maintain a healthy bacterial balance on the skin thanks to its inherent silver microparticles. These antimicrobial agents* ensure that bacteria doesn't grow in the textile. The results are a cooling effect with excellent odor reduction. Because these microparticles are inherent in the fibers of the fabric and not added to it as a finish, there is no migration from the fabric to the skin, making it hypoallergenic. For the same reason, these antimicrobial agents are present in the garment well after 100 washes. Meryl Skinlife fabrics are considered so biologically safe that it can be used on the surface of medical devices and of course contain no nanomaterials. It is certified by OEKO-TEX** (Confidence in Textiles) and was again an ISPO*** Textrend 2016 selection for baselayers.
Sun Protection
Meryl Skinlife fabric is tested for its Ultraviolet Protection Facter (UPF) by Aitex Textile Research Institute, an independent laboratory. Aitex follows the guidelines set by the Australian/NewZealand Standard 4399. This is the original, globally-recognized standard for sun protective clothing. Presently, there is no US Federal program for sun protection garment safety but you can rest assured that our fabric is held to the highest standards! Our Sun Protection Essentials have a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ and block 98% of the sun's damaging rays. Please see our "Sun Protection FAQ" page for more information on sun protection.
*Antimicrobial activity of Meryl Skinlife has been tested by several certified laboratories according to ISO 20743 (the equivalent of JIS L 1902) standards which specify quantitative test methods to determine the antibacterial activity of textile products.
**The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate, and end products at all stages of production. It tests not only for substances prohibited and/or regulated by law, but also for other substances that according to current scientific knowledge are harmful to health.
***ISPO Munich is the world's largest multi-segment sports exhibition of outdoor, ski, action, performance sports, textile trends, health & fitness and sourcing.