Bamboo Lyocell vs Bamboo Viscose: What’s the Difference?
If you've ever searched for bamboo pajamas, you've probably noticed that “bamboo” doesn't always mean the same thing. You might see bamboo viscose, bamboo rayon or bamboo lyocell, or just bamboo on different labels. They can all feel incredibly soft, but they're made differently—and that difference matters when you're choosing sleepwear that sits directly against your skin for hours every night.
When I started my sleepwear brand 7 years ago in Singapore, I didn't know there were so many different types of bamboo textiles either. I just knew I wanted something soft that could keep my skin cool and comfortable, yet adapt to my changing hormones. So I went down the rabbit hole of bamboo fabrics.
That's how I ended up choosing bamboo lyocell.
Bamboo Lyocell vs Bamboo Viscose: What's the Difference?
Both fabrics begin with cellulose from bamboo, but the way that cellulose is turned into a usable textile fibre is different.
Bamboo viscose
Bamboo viscose—sometimes called bamboo rayon—is made using the traditional viscose process. Bamboo is processed into pulp, chemically treated and then regenerated into fibres. It is widely used because it can produce a very soft, lightweight and affordable fabric.
Bamboo lyocell
Bamboo lyocell is also a regenerated cellulose fibre, but it uses a different fibre-production process. In a lyocell process, cellulose is dissolved directly in a solvent and the solvent is recovered and reused in a closed-loop system. Textile Exchange describes lyocell as a regenerated cellulose fibre, while Lenzing's lyocell process, for example, recovers more than 99% of its solvent. So while both can be called “bamboo fabric”, they aren't interchangeable terms.
And that's something worth knowing before you buy bamboo sleepwear.
So, which bamboo fabric feels better?
This is where things get more interesting.
Both bamboo lyocell and viscose can be soft. You can't necessarily tell which one you're touching simply by looking at the word “bamboo” on a product page.
For us, the question wasn't:
What's the cheapest bamboo fabric we can use?
It was:
What's the right fabric for a woman with sensitive skin going through pregnancy, postpartum, night sweats and everything in between?
That changed how I approached fabric sourcing. Beyond softness alone, I considered feel, breathability, moisture management, stretch, durability and textile safety.
I didn't design Sleebbee in a laboratory. I designed it by living in it—through my pregnancy, postpartum and early motherhood years in our lovely humid Singapore. Then I put it through the ultimate test: real, critical women, starting with my own mom. If it couldn't pass her critique, it wasn't ready.
That's how my sleepwear brand ended up with bamboo lyocell.
Why we chose bamboo lyocell for Sleebbee
1. It has the soft, smooth feel we wanted
If you've ever touched Sleebbee pajamas, you'll probably notice the fabric before anything else. It's soft without feeling heavy, with a smooth hand feel that works particularly well for sleepwear. For women who are already conscious of itchiness, friction or fabrics that feel uncomfortable against their skin, this was important to us.
Of course, sensitive skin is personal—there isn't one fabric that works perfectly for everyone. But we wanted to start with a fabric that felt gentle enough for prolonged skin contact.
2. It works well for warm, sweaty nights
Lyocell fibres are known for moisture management, and Lenzing's research describes lyocell as having high moisture uptake and properties that support thermal comfort.
That matters when your sleepwear needs to go from bedtime to morning without feeling heavy or clammy.
3. Stretch matters more than you think
A fabric can be wonderfully soft and still make a terrible pajama if it doesn't move with you. That's why our fabric isn't 100% bamboo lyocell. Sleebbee uses 95% bamboo lyocell + 5% spandex, giving the fabric the flexibility we wanted for women who move, lounge, sleep, grow and change.
Our Bambody Adaptive™ fabric has 4-way stretch, and it's one of the reasons our sleepwear can work through pregnancy and continue into postpartum and beyond.
For us, premium comfort isn't just about what the fabric feels like in your hand.
It's about what it feels like when you're actually living in it.
What about sensitive skin?
This is one of the biggest reasons we are particular about our fabric.
But there's an important distinction:
Bamboo lyocell isn't a medical treatment for eczema or sensitive skin. What we can do as a sleepwear brand is choose materials and construction that are designed to minimise unnecessary discomfort.
For Sleebbee, that means combining:
95% bamboo lyocell - Soft, lightweight and breathable
4-way stretch - Less pulling and restriction as you move
Heat pressed neck labels - No unnecessary itch at the neck
Soft stretch waistbands - Less pressure around the stomach
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification - Our fabric is tested for harmful substances under the STANDARD 100 system. For textiles with direct skin contact, OEKO-TEX applies stricter requirements than for products with less skin contact.
It's this combination—not simply the word “bamboo”—that makes me particularly proud of what Sleebbee has become - what we have created for moms, and women with sensitive skin.
Is bamboo lyocell more expensive?
Generally, yes.
And that's exactly why.
I spent years getting the details right so you don't have to think twice about what you're wearing to bed. Discover Sleebbee here—sleepwear and loungewear thoughtfully designed for sensitive skin and real women.
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