Is Your Mouth Tape Made With Rayon? You Might Want to Check...
Ok, here's something we think EVERYONE who uses mouth tape should know.
What is your mouth tape actually made of?
Seriously, have you ever checked?
Because some mouth tapes are made with something called rayon, and when we started looking into how rayon is actually made, we were pretty surprised.
Rayon starts as wood pulp. Sounds natural enough right?
Well... not exactly.
Rayon is a heavily chemically processed material. And the process of turning wood pulp into the soft fabric you put on your skin involves some pretty serious industrial chemicals.
Let's explain.
First, What Even Is Rayon?
Rayon is what's called a semi-synthetic fibre.
Basically, it starts with cellulose, usually from wood pulp, but has to go through a pretty extensive chemical process before it becomes fabric.
And that's what makes it so different from cotton.
Cotton is already a natural fibre. It can be cleaned and spun into yarn without having to dissolve it and chemically turn it back into a fibre.
Conventional viscose rayon? Very different process.
And considering mouth tape can sit directly against your lips for 7 or 8 hours EVERY night, we think that's something worth knowing.
So How Is Rayon Actually Made?
This is where things get interesting.
Most conventional rayon is made using something called the viscose process.
And it involves three chemicals we think you should know about.
1. Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda)
First, wood pulp is treated with sodium hydroxide. This is a strong alkaline chemical that helps prepare the cellulose for the next stage.
2. Carbon Disulfide
Next, the cellulose reacts with carbon disulfide, a toxic industrial chemical used to help transform the material.
3. Sulfuric Acid
The processed cellulose is turned into a thick liquid and pushed through tiny holes into a bath containing sulfuric acid. This helps turn it back into solid fibres.
After that, the fibres are washed, processed and spun into fabric.
So yes, rayon starts as wood pulp. But it takes quite a bit of chemical processing to get from that wood pulp to the finished material.
And Here's the Part That Surprised Us...
Some of the chemicals used to manufacture conventional rayon are actually pretty dangerous on their own.
For example...
Carbon Disulfide: A toxic industrial chemical. Prolonged exposure has been linked to nervous system damage and cardiovascular problems.
Sodium Hydroxide: Also known as caustic soda. In concentrated form, it can cause severe chemical burns and serious eye damage.
Sulfuric Acid: A highly corrosive acid that can cause serious burns and respiratory injuries.
Pretty serious stuff right?
Now, to be VERY clear, this doesn't mean those chemicals are sitting on your finished mouth tape or that rayon mouth tape is automatically unsafe.
These chemicals are used during manufacturing, and the finished fibres go through additional processing and washing.
But it does show just how chemically intensive the manufacturing process can be.
And personally, when we're choosing something that's going to sit against our lips all night, we want to know exactly what we're buying.
So Why Doesn't Tapeher Use Rayon?
When we started Tapeher, we wanted to make mouth tape that WE would actually want to wear every night.
Something soft, stretchy, comfortable and designed with sensitive skin in mind.
And we wanted to be really intentional about the materials we chose.
That's why Tapeher Mouth Tape is made with 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex. NO RAYON.
Why cotton?
Because cotton is a natural plant fibre that doesn't need to go through the same chemical regeneration process as conventional viscose rayon.
It's soft, breathable and comfortable against the skin.
Now, that doesn't mean cotton goes through zero processing. Of course it does.
But the actual cotton fibre stays intact rather than being chemically dissolved and recreated.
We also add 5% spandex because nobody wants to feel like they've taped a piece of cardboard across their mouth 😂!
That little bit of stretch helps the tape move with your face while you sleep.
And we spent a LOT of time working on the size, shape and adhesive too.
Because if you're going to wear something every single night, those details matter.
And One More Thing... Third-Party Testing.
This is something we're REALLY passionate about.
We think if you're buying something to put on your skin every night, you should know what's in it.
Not just because a brand tells you it's safe.
But because they've actually taken the time to test it.
That's why we've invested in independent third-party testing for Tapeher, including PFAS testing.
We want our customers to feel confident about what they're buying.
And we think more brands should be transparent about their materials and testing.
You can read more about our testing and see the available results HERE.
Does This Mean All Rayon Mouth Tape Is Bad?
No. And we're not going to tell you that.
The chemicals used to manufacture a fabric aren't necessarily present in harmful amounts in the finished material.
And just because something is natural doesn't automatically mean it's better or safer for everyone.
But we DO think people should understand how the products they're using are made.
Especially when those products are sitting against your skin for hours every night.
For us, choosing organic cotton was a decision we felt really good about.
And it's one we're proud of.
A Few Things We'd Check Before Buying Mouth Tape
Whether you buy from Tapeher or another brand, here are a few things we'd look into.
- What's the fabric actually made of? Cotton, rayon, polyester?
- What kind of adhesive is being used? This is especially important if you have sensitive skin.
- Has it been independently tested? And can you actually see the results?
- Is it comfortable? Because nobody wants to wake up with irritated skin.
- Is the brand transparent? You shouldn't have to go digging to find out what you're putting on your face.
And one important note, mouth taping isn't for everyone. It's not a treatment for snoring or sleep apnea. If you have trouble breathing through your nose or any breathing concerns, talk to a healthcare professional before trying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rayon a natural material?
Not exactly. It starts with natural cellulose, usually wood pulp, but goes through extensive chemical processing before becoming fabric.
What chemicals are used to make rayon?
Conventional viscose rayon manufacturing commonly uses sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid.
Are those chemicals dangerous?
YES, in their concentrated industrial forms they can be. Carbon disulfide is toxic, while sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are highly corrosive. That doesn't automatically mean finished rayon fabric is dangerous though.
Is rayon mouth tape bad for your skin?
Not necessarily. A lot depends on the finished material, the adhesive and your individual skin sensitivity.
Is cotton mouth tape better than rayon?
We chose organic cotton because we prefer a natural plant fibre that doesn't require the same chemical regeneration process as viscose rayon. But what feels comfortable on your skin is personal.
What's Tapeher Mouth Tape made from?
95% organic cotton and 5% spandex. No rayon. Designed with sensitive skin in mind.
Has Tapeher been third-party tested?
YES! We've invested in independent third-party testing, including PFAS testing. You can learn more on our Test Results page.
The Bottom Line...
We're not saying every mouth tape made with rayon is bad.
But we ARE saying you should know what you're putting on your skin.
Especially when you're wearing it for 7 or 8 hours every night.
At Tapeher, we've put a ridiculous amount of thought into the materials we use, how our tape feels and how comfortable it is to wear.
95% organic cotton. 5% spandex. NO RAYON. Third-party tested. Designed with sensitive skin in mind.
Because if you're going to make something part of your nightly routine, we think you deserve to know exactly what you're using.