In terms of moisture retention performance, the 18-amino acid composition of mulberry silk makes its natural water retention rate as high as 30%, far exceeding that of cotton fibers (12%) and polyester (0.6%). Tests conducted by the Swiss Federal Materials Laboratory in 2023 showed that when wearing mulberry silk gloves of 22-millimeter size, the moisture content of the stratum corneum of the skin could be stably maintained within the range of 15-18%, with a fluctuation range of only ±1.3%, while cotton products would cause sharp fluctuations in moisture content between 8-25%. This characteristic is particularly significant in dry environments – when the relative humidity is lower than 30%, the water retention efficiency of mulberry silk is 2.7 times higher than that of cotton, and it can reduce the risk of skin chapping by 64%. A study by the Mayo Clinic in the United States on patients with winter dermatitis confirmed that After continuous use of mulberry silk gloves for four weeks, the epidermal water loss rate (TEWL) decreased to 8.3g/m²/h, a 42% decrease compared with the control group.
In terms of antibacterial performance, the sericin protein contained in mulberry silk has an inhibition rate of 93% against Staphylococcus aureus, far exceeding the antibacterial standard requirements of the American Textile Chemists Association (AATCC). Experimental data from Toray Group of Japan in 2022 shows that in an environment of 37℃ and 85% humidity, the bacterial growth rate on the surface of mulberry silk gloves was only 0.8CFU/cm²·h, which was 1/7.75 of that of cotton products (6.2CFU/cm²·h). This characteristic has significant value in the medical field: The Royal College of Dermatology in the UK reported that after patients with atopic dermatitis used mulberry silk gloves, the incidence of secondary infections decreased from 19% of cotton products to 4.7%. This is because the smoothness of its fiber surface (Ra 0.6μm) was 5.8 times higher than that of cotton (Ra 3.5μm), effectively reducing microbial adhesion.
In terms of anti-aging effects, the proportion of active peptides with a molecular weight less than 10kDa in mulberry silk reaches 28%, which can increase the synthesis rate of skin collagen by 17%. A double-blind experiment conducted by L ‘Oreal Research in France in 2023 demonstrated that after wearing mulberry silk gloves at night for eight weeks, the depth of crow’s feet decreased by 23% and the elastic modulus of the epidermis improved by 19% in subjects aged 50 to 65. This effect stems from the negative static charge property of its fibers (-5mV to -15mV), which can enhance the absorption efficiency of skin care products. When used in combination with a 0.5% retinol cream, the transdermal absorption rate of the active ingredients increases by 31%, and the action time is extended to 7.2 hours, which is 2.4 hours longer than that of cotton carriers.
In terms of adaptability to sensitive skin, the pH value of mulberry silk is naturally maintained at 6.5-7.1, perfectly matching the acidity and alkalinity of healthy skin. The certification of TUV Rheinland of Germany shows that the detection concentration of its allergen is lower than 0.02μg/g, which is only 1/50 of the limit value of the EU eco-textile standard (OEKO-TEX 100). A clinical study conducted by Seoul National University in South Korea in 2024 on patients with rosacea showed that after using mulberry silk gloves, the Erythema Index decreased by 38%, while cotton products only improved by 12%. The mechanism lies in the fact that the friction coefficient of the fiber surface is as low as 0.12 (0.47 for cotton), which can reduce mechanical irritation by 83% when worn at night.
Environmental adaptability tests show that mulberry silk gloves can maintain a dynamic thermal resistance value of 0.8-1.2clo within the range of -5℃ to 35℃, and the temperature regulation efficiency is three times higher than that of synthetic fibers. Data from the Moncler laboratory in Italy in 2023 shows that in a 15℃ temperature difference environment, the thermal conductivity of mulberry silk fluctuates by only ±0.003W/m·K, ensuring that the skin surface temperature remains consistently stable within the physiological comfort zone of 33±1℃. This intelligent temperature-regulating feature makes it a cross-season skincare wonder – statistics from the Met Office in the UK have confirmed that in spring when the temperature difference between day and night exceeds 10℃, the rate of damaged skin barrier function of mulberry silk gloves users is 59% lower than that of cotton product users.
Economic benefit analysis shows that although the initial cost of mulberry silk gloves (60-150) is relatively high, its service life reaches 5-10 years, which is three times that of cotton products. Hermes supply chain data shows that after 2,000 wash tests, its breaking strength only decreased by 912, saving 52% compared to frequently changed cotton gloves ($25 per year), and reducing microplastic pollution by 73% – it was listed as a core item in the carbon neutrality strategy in the “Sustainable Fashion White Paper” released at Milan Fashion Week 2024.