When you think of freshly laundered clothes, you probably imagine a detergent that gives off the scent of lavender, jasmine or lilac. While those detergents make our clothes smell fresh, they sometimes irritate people with sensitive skin. The best laundry detergents for sensitive skin are typically the ones free of any scent or color-related additives, according to Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, a board-certified dermatologist at Precision Skin Institute. These ingredients are not technically necessary and often lead to skin irritations. “These reactions can be red, itchy, stingy, burning eczema rashes or hives in exposed areas,” she says.
With that in mind, we spoke with experts, including Blyumin-Karasik and Dr. Brendan Camp, a double-board certified dermatologist in Manhattan, to get their insight and product recommendations on the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin. They also helped us answer questions about whether it’s better to use liquid or powder detergent and other habits to avoid skin irritations.
What ingredients in laundry detergent cause allergic reactions?Both Blyumin-Karasik and Camp recommended looking for laundry detergents without dyes and scents. “People with more sensitive or eczema-prone skin may develop a contact dermatitis to ingredients that cause rashes, dryness, or itching,” says Camp. Additionally, Camp recommends looking for laundry detergents that are plant-based or hypoallergenic.
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We included laundry detergents for sensitive skin recommended by dermatologists. We also considered highly rated hypoallergenic laundry detergents on Amazon. Our experts recommended keeping the following aspects in mind when looking for the best laundry detergent to use if you have sensitive skin:
- Fragrance-free: It’s common to associate the smell of flowers, vanilla or other nature-related scents with clean laundry, however, laundry detergents with these artificial fragrances can cause skin irritation and lead to an allergic reaction in some people. This is why dermatologists strongly recommend using laundry detergents that are free of strong scents, especially ones from brands you haven’t used before.
- Dye-free: Similar to fragrances, dyes are added to laundry detergent mostly for show. While it’s great to associate a lavender-scented detergent with a purple liquid, neither scents nor dyes are required ingredients for effective laundry detergents. Additionally, dyes can also cause potentially severe skin reactions.
- Phthalates: Also called plasticizers, phthalates are chemicals often used as solvents in detergents, cleaning products, clothing and cosmetic products such as hairspray and nail polish, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Blyumin-Karasik recommends looking for detergents without phthalates to avoid any possible allergic reaction.
- Triclosan: Triclosan is an ingredient commonly found in many consumer products, such as hand soaps and detergents, which reduces bacterial growth, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This additive could cause skin irritation for some people, according to Blyumin-Karasik.
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We rounded up the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin, based on recommendations from experts. We also included a few hypoallergenic detergents that have at least a 4-star average rating from at least 500 reviews on Amazon.
Best liquid detergents for sensitive skinTide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
What we like
- Hypoallergenic
- Dye free
- Measure cap
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Tide makes a wide array of laundry detergents and fabric softeners, including the Free & Gentle version that’s great for people with sensitive skin. This detergent comes recommended by Blyumin-Karasik as a great hypoallergenic option. The one-gallon container lasts up to four months, according to the brand, and you can store it on a shelf above or next to your washer. The dispenser is easy to use since you can press the red button to let out the detergent into the cap — no pouring required.
Detergent type: Liquid | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free:Yes | Fragrance free: Yes
Seventh Generation Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent
What we like
- Hypoallergenic
- Plant-based ingredients
- EPA Safer Choice Certified
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Seventh Generation makes many popular, eco-friendly cleaning products, including this concentrated laundry detergent. The cleaner comes recommended by Camp, who likes its plant-based formula. “Made with plant-based ingredients, this liquid detergent contains no dyes, optical brighteners or fragrances, and has been tested for skin irritation and sensitization,” he says. If you’re a Seventh Generation fan, you could also pair this detergent with the brand’s skin-friendly Free & Clear Fabric Softener Sheets, which have a 4.6-star average rating from over 2,000 reviews on Amazon.
All Liquid Laundry Detergent
What we like
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance free
- Dye free
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
All is a brand you have probably see at the store before, and its Free & Clear variety of detergent is a good choice for those with sensitive skin. The detergent comes recommended by Blyumin-Karasik, who likes that it doesn’t contain any irritating ingredients, similar to Tide. Additionally, the cleaner is free of dyes, strong smells and is hypoallergenic. Plus, the concentrated liquid cleans up to 110 loads of laundry in all types of washers, including high-efficiency machines, according to the brand.
Detergent type: Liquid | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free: Yes | Fragrance free: Yes
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent
What we like
- Hypoallergenic
- SkinSafe certified
- Fragrance free
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin laundry detergent comes recommended by both Blyumin-Karasik and Camp. The one gallon size is good for up to 140 loads of laundry, according to the brand. It also has baking soda, a common cleaning agent, and is free of dyes, scents and other harsh chemicals that could end up giving you a rash. Plus, the detergent is certified by SkinSafe, a database of personal care products that are free of ingredients that may lead to allergic reactions, according to the brand. The one-gallon container is also great for those with large families who do laundry more than once a week.
Detergent type: Liquid | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free: Yes | Fragrance free: Yes
Ecos Laundry Detergent Liquid
What we like
- Plant-based ingredients
Something to note
- Some options are scented
The Ecos brand is known for its commitment to making more sustainable cleaning products, including this 100% vegan liquid laundry detergent.The detergent is available fragrance-free or scented, and it’shypoallergenic, phosphate free andEPASafer Choice certified. You only have to use one to three ounces of the detergent for small to large loads of laundry. Plus, you can use it to spot treat stains. You only have to pour a small amount of the solution directly onto set-in stains and scrub them before adding to the wash.
Detergent type: Liquid | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free:Yes | Fragrance free: Yes, with some scented options
Best powder detergent for sensitive skinMolly’s Suds Laundry Powder
What we like
- Plant-based ingredients
- Measure spoon
- No plastic bottle or cap
Something to note
- Better for top-load washers
While a lot of people stick to liquid laundry detergent nowadays, powder detergents are still effective options for thoroughly cleaning clothes. This laundry powder from Molly’s Suds comes recommended by Camp, who likes that it’s made from only a few straightforward ingredients. The detergent has 4 to 5 plant-derived ingredients and is free of fragrances, dyes, optical brighteners and other potential skin irritants, according to the brand. You only have to use a tablespoon of the detergent for each load of laundry, instead of cupfuls, so it’ll last you for at least a few months.
Detergent type: Powder | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free: Yes | Fragrance free: Yes
Best detergent pods for sensitive skinArm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent
What we like
- Pre-measured
- Good for small laundry loads
Something to note
- Better for top-load washers
Detergent pods, also called laundry detergent pacs, are not only great for people who enjoy the convenience of simply throwing a pre-portioned pod into the drum, they’re a good option for those with sensitive skin, too. This particular detergent pod from Arm & Hammer is free of harsh scents and dyes. The pack has 42 pods so you can use one pod for small to medium-sized loads of laundry or two pods for larger loads. The pods also dissolve easily in hot, warm and cold water, according to the brand. The item has a 4.6-star average rating from over 900 reviews on Amazon.
Detergent type: Pod | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free:Yes | Fragrance free: No
Bestdetergent sheet for sensitive skinEarth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
What we like
- Dissolvable
- No plastic bottle or cap
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Detergent sheets are probably the most modern type of skin-sensitive laundry detergent on this list. The Earth Breeze laundry detergent sheets are neither a liquid nor a powder, but rather sheets that look like dryer sheets, but dissolve when you put them in the wash with clothes. The sheets use less plastic than a bottle or liquid or powder detergent, they’re travel friendly and you can even use one sheet for two loads. The pack has 30 detergent sheets total, but you can use half a sheet for a single regular size load of laundry, meaning it will last up to 60 loads of laundry, according to the brand. Plus, the sheets dissolve in water of any temperature, so you can use them to wash different types of garments. The item has a 4.4-star average rating from almost 80,000 reviews on Amazon.
Detergent type: Dissolvable sheet | Hypoallergenic: Yes | Dye free:Yes | Fragrance free: Yes
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Frequently asked questions
The dyes, fragrances and preservatives found in laundry detergent are often the cause of skin irritations and allergic reactions. Some people may be sensitive to all of these ingredients, or only some of them. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to use detergents that are free of all of these things or free of dyes and fragrances at the very least.
While many people have different types of skin sensitivities and allergies, there are common additives in detergents that can cause irritation to the skin when someone wears clothing that was washed with them. To avoid skin irritation from your laundry detergent, our experts recommend looking for options without these ingredients. Here’s how to go about looking for an effective but skin-friendly laundry detergent.
Fragrance-free detergentThe large majority of laundry detergents, whether liquid, powder or sheet, have some sort of scent added to them. That’s because we often associate the pleasant smells of flowers or fruits with tidiness. This additive, however, is a common cause of irritation on the skin, according to both Blyumin-Karasik and Camp. You should look for unscented detergents and avoid laundry fragrance products, like scent beads. Also, keep in mind that even if your clothes don’t have a noticeable scent to them, this doesn’t mean they aren’t clean. You can also look into baby laundry detergents, as these are often free of fragrances, dyes and other allergens.
Dye-free detergentIn addition to detergents with fragrances, you should look for ones that are dye free. This means that detergents that are clear rather than blue, green or purple. The dyes in liquid laundry detergents are technically not necessary for cleaning clothes and they usually only add to brand recognition or correlate to scents (i.e. lavender scented detergent is usually purple). The ingredients added to make detergent a certain hue contributes to skin irritations, including itchiness, redness and dryness.
Be mindful of preservatives in detergentWhile they provide more functionality in laundry detergent than fragrances and dyes, preservatives also have the potential to cause skin irritation. Preservatives are ingredients in detergent that stop or slow bacterial growth. Triclosan is a common additive in laundry detergent, according to Blyumin-Karasik that can cause an allergic reaction of the skin for some people. If you are particularly sensitive to most laundry detergents, you could even look into making a basic homemade detergent using ingredients like water, baking soda or castile soap.
Meet our expertsAt NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik is a board-certified dermatologist with an expertise in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is the co-founder of Precision Skin Institute, based in Davie, Florida.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist with an expertise in cosmetic and medical dermatology. He practices out of MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan, New York.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he covers cooking, cleaning, wellness and lifestyle content. He spoke with two board-certified dermatologists for insight and product recommendations for this story.
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Cory Fernandez
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor for Select on NBC News.
