How to Choose a Natural Non-Toxic Yoga Mat (& Ananday Cork Mat Review)

Hey, yogis! Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about natural and non-toxic yoga mats. It’s not something I had really explored, but my yoga mat had seen better days and was beginning to show signs of wear and tear, so it was time to replace it with something better. If you wanna learn more about why choosing a safer yoga mat is so important and what to look for, keep reading!

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There’s WHAT in My Yoga Mat?! ❌

Admittedly, my yoga mat was not something I ever thought twice about when starting my low tox journey. However, after learning more about what most conventional mats are made out of, it definitely became a higher priority!

The majority of yoga mats are created with synthetic materials and unhealthy additives, such as:

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): One of the most harmful types of plastics! It’s most common among cheap mats. PVC can contain phthalates (plasticizers that make it flexible), bisphenol A (BPA), PFAS (aka Forever Chemicals), flame retardants, formaldehyde, and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. These are linked to hormonal disruption, reproductive issues, accumulation in the body, neurotoxicity, and some forms of cancer. They can also off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) which are dangerous to inhale. This is the worst type of yoga mat, in my opinion! Yet, sadly, it dominates the market share and accounted for 38.7% of mats in 2024.
• Polyurethane (PU): If the material just says “foam” it’s likely PU! Polyurethane (a petrochemical-based polymer) is commonly used for yoga mats because it’s durable and offers a cushioned, non-slip surface. It’s considered safer than PVC; however, it can still off-gas VOCs (particularly isocyanates) and cause respiratory issues or skin/eye irritation, like contact dermatitis. It’s super flammable and typically has fire retardants added.
• Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE): This is a tricky one because it’s often marketed as a safer eco-friendly alternative to PVC mats and is not known to use BPA or phthalates. But it’s still synthetic and made from a combination of undisclosed plastic and rubber.
• Polymer Environmental Resin (PER): This sounds natural, but it’s a type of plastic derived from PVC! It’s supposedly less toxic than PVC because it undergoes more processing, but more research is needed to know for sure. A 2019 report found some yoga mats claiming to be made from PER were really composed of PVC.
• Azodicarbonamide (ADA): Remember back in 2014 when Subway was outed for having “yoga mat chemical” in their bread? 🤢 That’s ADA! It’s a foaming agent often used in plastic products (and American foods, unfortunately) to make them spongier. It’s linked to allergic reactions, respiratory effects, and potential carcinogenicity.
• AZO Dyes: Harsh dyes that can release carcinogenic amines, VOCs, and contain heavy metals. They can also be irritating to skin. There are gentle, low-impact dyes that can be used instead!
• Undisclosed adhesives and glues can be used to bond layers together

Exposure to heat can also release VOCs from synthetic mats. And when we perspire, our pores open up, making our skin (the largest organ) more susceptible to these substances!

Lastly, these synthetic materials are not good for the environment 🌎 since they’re non-biodegradable, release toxic byproducts, and can shed microplastics into the ecosystem. For instance, PVC production and disposal can emit carcinogenic dioxins and mercury into the air, water, and soil.

✅ Natural Yoga Mat Materials to Use:

• Cork
• Hemp
• Jute (watch out because many jute mats are blended with PER)
• Natural tree rubber or natural latex (FYI, synthetic rubber is derived from petroleum, so the real stuff is the way to go!) [*avoid these if you have a latex allergy]
• Organic cotton
• Wool

These are much healthier for our bodies and the earth. Not to mention, practicing on materials from the earth is grounding!

⚠️ (Beware of greenwashing and brands that use recycled materials and claim to be a better option. At the end of the day, recycled PVC is still plastic, for example! I’ve even seen “recycled wetsuit” yoga mats which can have unwanted substances such as phthalates)

Related post: “9+ Organic & Sustainable Activewear Brands (Sports Bras, Leggings, & More!)”

Ananday Cork Yoga Mat Review 🧘‍♀️

After researching various brands on the market, I decided to buy the Ananday yoga mat! It was the most appealing to me, had awesome ratings, and I like that the brand is woman-owned, Climate-Neutral certified, and partners with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every product sold.

After trying it out for a while, here are my honest thoughts and experience using it! (and a discount for ya at the end)

Materials:

One side of the mat is cork and the back is natural tree rubber. The two layers are bound by high-temperature pressure, so no glues or dyes are used at all! Completely plastic-free woohoo 👏 (it even arrives without plastic packaging)

Cork is one of the most sustainable materials out there because no trees are cut down during harvest; the bark is stripped by hand every nine years and regenerates itself. It’s renewable, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and recyclable! In addition, cork is innately antimicrobial, which makes it perfect for a yoga mat because it resists any gross bacteria growth or odors 🦠 It’s also hypoallergenic and doesn’t collect dust.

One downside of the rubber backing is that pet hair kinda clings to it (it doesn’t help that my dog likes to lay on the mat). And if your floor is dirty, it might pick up some debris.

Size, Feel, & Thickness:

Ananday’s yoga mat is 72″ x 24″ which is an average size! My tall husband also uses the mat and it’s long enough for him. No complaints there!

It’s 4mm thick (for reference, most mats are 4-6mm). I was worried it would feel hard, but cork has some soft bounce and squish to it, so it’s actually pretty comfortable and supportive. But it’s somewhat thinner than other mats I’ve used and not as foamy as the polyurethane ones. So, if you’re looking for a ton of cushion, this might not be enough for you.

I thought that cork might have a weird texture, too, but it feels smooth when you run your hands over it!

The mat weighs 5.4 pounds (the average is 2-5 lbs), so it’s on the heavy side. Although cork has a honeycomb structure that makes it lightweight and airy, the rubber adds some sturdiness to it. I know people sometimes complain about bulky yoga mats, but honestly, this isn’t a big deal to me—five pounds isn’t that much to carry IMO (…and isn’t that the point of exercising, to get stronger? 😆)

Altogether, it seems durable and I’m curious to see how well it holds up long-term!

Related post: “Acupressure Mat Benefits, How to Correctly Use One, & My Experience [Pranamat Review]”

Stability & Grip:

One thing that pleasantly surprised me is how much grip this has! I didn’t know this, but cork gets grippier when it’s wet (it’s impermeable to liquids)—Ananday actually recommends spraying water around hands and feet for extra traction! So, no need to worry about slipping when you’re drenched in sweat, and say goodbye to your towels. The mat is reversible, too, so you can flip to the rubber side for even more traction. Plus, thanks to the weight and rubber backing, it stays put and doesn’t slide around on the floor.

For the most part, the mat lays flat because it’s heavier. But it did arrive very tightly rolled, so I noticed some ripples when first laying it out, and one end was sort of wanting to flip under. But it breaks in easily and flattens out fairly quickly.

Smell:

Since there’s no plastic or synthetics, the mat doesn’t off-gas nasty chemical fumes that will give you a headache! 😆

But I did notice a faint rubber scent when I initially unrolled it; it wasn’t overly powerful, and it’s not like it filled the room, but you can detect it if you’re up close. I could also smell it on my hands after handling the rubber side for a while. The good news is that the smell faded rather quickly.

And again, because cork is antimicrobial, it resists odors and doesn’t absorb any funkiness—even after sweaty workouts and being barefoot on it!

Care & Cleaning:

Although cork is inherently antimicrobial, the mat must be cleaned occasionally to prevent buildup, depending on how often you use it. I usually wipe it down weekly with Branch Basics all-purpose cleaning spray (use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount) or hypochlorous acid and let it dry. Just be sure to avoid any harsh cleaning products.

If the mat gets really sweaty, make sure to wipe up any excess liquid ASAP because any puddles left for extended periods can cause bubbles to form on the cork.

Final Thoughts About Ananday Yoga Mat

👍 OVERALL PROS: Natural materials, sustainable, small business, no strong smells, grippy, stable, non-slip, ideal size, comfortable, reversible, lays flat, easy to keep clean

👎 OVERALL CONS: More expensive than some mats, kind of heavy, not super thick, pet hair can stick to the rubber, doesn’t come in fun colors or designs

In summary, the Ananday mat is great quality and I’ve been satisfied with my purchase! I wish I had made the switch sooner, and I like it way better than my old synthetic mat. I loveeee knowing that it’s healthier for my body and the planet. Thumbs up from me!

Use coupon code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a 20% discount 🏷️

Buy Ananday Yoga Mat Here

Ananday also sells a cork yoga block, massage balls, and organic cotton strap. Also available here on Amazon.

Related post: “Electrolytes 101: Why They’re Essential, What to Look For, & Best Natural Brands”

Other Low Tox Yoga Mat Brands:

• Brentwood Home: Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton with a natural latex base. This one looks cool and I like that it’s machine-washable, but has mixed reviews and people mention that it slips.
• Hugger Mugger: Some mats from this brand use artificial materials like PVC, but they do have cork, jute, and natural rubber options
• JadeYoga: Crafted from natural rubber, but they also contain proprietary man-made components, so I’m not exactly sure what else is in them. However, they’re free from PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, and flame retardants. Just a heads up because they’re one of the more popular brands out there!
• Manduka: Some mats from this brand use artificial materials like PVC, but the eKO line is made from tree rubber
• Öko Living: GOTS-certified organic cotton with a natural rubber latex bottom and dyed with plants and herbs
• Scoria: Ethically harvested cork with tree rubber backing
• YogaKargha: Choose from organic cotton mats with or without rubber backing

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Have you swapped to a low tox yoga mat yet? Let me know if you have any questions below in the comments, and I hope this was helpful! Thanks so much for reading 💚

Sources & Studies:

• Environmentally Friendly Labeling of Some Yoga Mats Disguises Actual Composition
• EPA Polyurethane Foam
• EWG Azodicarbonamide
• National Cancer Institute Vinyl Chloride
• Phthalates Toxicity
• Polyvinyl Chloride
• Yoga Mat Market Size