Best Detergents for Sensitive Skin
by Marissa Zumbo, December 2022
Studies show that more than half of the population report having sensitive skin. While people with acne, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, or eczema may have certain skin care lotions and products formulated to help their bodies, it’s important to consider using a laundry detergent free of irritants as well.
The rinse cycle doesn’t eliminate all detergent ingredients from clothes. Trace amounts of irritants can remain and can become a problem to those with sensitive skin. If your detergent is formulated with certain fragrances, dyes, surfactants, and preservatives, then they might be contributing to skin flare-ups.
Here’s some of the most recommended liquid laundry detergents for sensitive skin (in no particular order):
All Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent
This hypoallergenic detergent is perfume- and dye-free. It’s easy to find in store, not messy to use, and rated highly by skin care experts. One thing to note is that several reviews pointed out that it sometimes leaves clothes feeling stiff. It's recommended to use a softener with it.
Fun Fact: this is one of the detergents we use with Big Waves laundry services. Make sure to request this if you have sensitive skin and you’re getting our Fluff & Fold or Delivery Service. We also offer a free optional softener to keep your clothes light and soft.
Purex Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent
This unscented and hypoallergenic detergent was rated “best for sensitive skin” by consumer reports. It’s affordable, but isn’t rated highly for stain fighting.
Percil (Persil) Free and Sensitive Laundry Detergent
Percil is dye-, phosphate-, and perfume-free. It’s affordable and reported to be great at removing stains, however, several reviews have mentioned that the cap design is poor and can result in spills.
Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent
The Tide Free & Gentle formula boasts a similar performance to the original, but with less irritants. It’s free of fragrances and dyes, is great at stain removal, and is recognized by national skincare authorities. However, it still contains more irritants than most of the other detergents on this list and the liquid itself is heavier than other options.
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear
This detergent boasts a SkinSAFE seal, is dye- and perfume-free, and rinses clean. However, many customers report poor or leaky packaging of the product.
Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent
This is an eco-friendly, cruelty-free detergent that has zero artificial dyes, fragrances, or artificial brighteners. Unlike many of the other detergents on this list, it has plant-based ingredients. One downside is that this detergent tends to be more expensive than the others.
ECOS 2X Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent
This detergent is plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free, and EPA Safer Choice certified. It is more pricey than other options and has a magnolia and lily scent, so if you’re trying to save money or dislike botanical smells, this detergent may not be your top pick.
We also wanted to include one for all the babies out there who have naturally sensitive skin.
Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Detergent
Dreft is considered one of the top laundry detergents formulated specifically for newborns, babies, and infants. It has a plant-based formula that’s recommended by pediatricians, and it can be used in an HE machine. Somethings to note: it’s not ideal for cloth diapers and may not be able to handle tough stains, and it still contains small amounts of irritants.
You may not need a detergent for sensitive skin; many people don't! But in case you do, we wanted to provide you with some of the most popular and reviewed options. One other piece of advice we’ll leave you with is this: if you’re concerned about irritants left on clothes after washing, add another rinse cycle to your wash. It will help reduce the amount of irritants on clothes and linens.
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Sources Cited for Article:
https://www.today.com/shop/laundry-detergent-sensitive-skin-t246611
https://www.thespruce.com/best-laundry-detergents-skin-sensitivity-and-allergies-2146626
https://www.reviewed.com/laundry/best-right-now/the-best-laundry-detergents-for-sensitive-skin
https://www.health.com/condition/skin-conditions/the-best-laundry-detergents-for-sensitive-skin
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-hypoallergenic-laundry-detergent/
https://caringconsumer.com/products/cleaning/laundry-detergent/hypoallergenic/