Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

It’s common for traces of detergent to be left on your clothes after being washed. While that won’t bother most people, it can trigger a wide variety of reactions from those with sensitive skin. Unfortunately, avoiding that isn’t just a matter of rinsing properly. Sometimes, no matter how thoroughly you’ve rinsed your laundry, you could still experience sensitivity reactions akin to an allergy. That might include mild to severe itching, rashes, and scaly skin.

If you have sensitive skin, you need to pay extra special attention to the detergent you use for laundry. Always make sure you check the list of ingredients. Thankfully, there are now many products available for people like you who have sensitive skin or are simply looking for products that are generally better for your health and the environment. All you need to do is find one that will work well for you.

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	Molly’s Suds - Laundry Powder	Our Favorite	Amazon
	Puracy - Natural Laundry Detergent	Premium Pick	Amazon
	Rebel Green - Fresh Laundry Detergent	Great Value	Amazon
	Greenshield Organic - Laundry Detergent		Amazon
	ECOS - Laundry Detergent		Amazon

Ingredients to Avoid in Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

When you’re looking for a laundry detergent for sensitive skin, a “hypoallergenic” label might be a good start. But, keep in mind that allergies are different from skin sensitivities. You’ll need to scrutinize products beyond the large-print labels and really look through the ingredients list. Here are some of the things you’ll want to avoid:

1) Artificial Fragrance

Artificial fragrances are common in laundry products and are often listed as fragrance, parfum, perfume, aroma, and essential oil blend. The problem is that chemical fragrances are known irritants and could cause severe reactions for people with sensitive skin. Additionally, these chemicals have been linked with a variety of health issues, including allergies, reproductive toxicity, and cancer. 

2) Benzaldehyde

Benzaldehyde is a chemical compound often used in perfumes, laundry bleach, and detergents. It is a suspected neurotoxin and has been linked with asthma, kidney toxicity, endocrine disruption, and liver toxicity. While most issues surrounding it are caused by inhalation, it’s reasonable to conclude that exposure could trigger flare-ups of skin sensitivities. Additionally, this caustic chemical could damage your machine and pipes over time.

3) Diethanolamine

Diethanolamine is an organic compound that’s commonly used as a surfactant. It is often abbreviated as DEA or could appear in ingredients lists as Diolamine, Iminodiethanol, or 2,2′-Dihydroxydiethylamine. The problem is that it is corrosive and known to cause skin allergies and irritation. Additionally, it is harmful to the eyes, and inhalation could irritate the throat and nose.

4) Quaternium-15

Quaternium-15 is used as a preservative and surfactant in a variety of household products. It could also be listed as Benzalkonium chloride, Cetrimonium bromide, or Benzethonium chloride. The reason why this chemical compound is recognized as an allergen and skin toxicant is that it releases formaldehyde. Apart from being an irritant, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. 

5) Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS)

Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) is a type of artificial surfactants that are known to cause skin irritations. It is also commonly listed as Anionic surfactants, Alkylbenzene sulfonates, or ABS. Generally, commercial products only contain small doses, which do not appear to cause any adverse health effects. However, people with sensitive skin could easily be affected. Additionally, it degrades slowly, and so has a negative impact on the environment.

Best Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

Skin sensitivities are different between individuals, so what might be the perfect detergent for one might not work well for others. Nevertheless, here’s a list of the top 5 laundry detergents that other people with sensitive skin swear by:

1) Molly’s Suds – Laundry Powder

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The ultra-concentrated laundry powder by Molly’s Suds is an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin because it is made from ingredients derived from nature. The unscented variant is formulated using a proprietary blend of only four ingredients: washing soda, baking soda, magnesium salts, and unrefined sea salt. So, it is not only better for your health but also safer for the environment. What makes it even better is it’s incredible at washing dirt, removing odors, and treating stains. Additionally, it does so at a fraction of the price of many commercial brands. Each 80.25-ounce pack will last for up to 120 loads of laundry, and it is safe to use on all sorts of fabric except leather and silk.

2) Puracy – Natural Laundry Detergent

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The Natural Laundry Detergent by Puracy was formulated specifically as a healthier alternative to chemical-laden laundry soaps. It is not only safer for you but also for your washing machine as well as the environment. It contains no chemicals, sulfates, phosphates, dyes, perfumes, or animal by-products. Additionally, it is incredibly concentrated so that you only need to use two pumps of detergent when washing a regular load on a high-efficiency machine. So, a single bottle will last up to 96 loads, which allows you to help minimize plastic waste. Also, the pump bottle will enable you to conveniently measure the right amount of detergent to use. That way, you don’t need to worry about over-soaping, which is a common cause of skin sensitivities.

3) Rebel Green – Fresh Laundry Detergent

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The Fresh Laundry Detergent by Rebel Green is USDA-certified organic and boasts a plant-based formula that’s tough on odor and dirt but gentle on your skin and nose. It harnesses the power of soapberries, washing soda, baking soda, and other natural and nature-derived ingredients to clean effectively and also rinse thoroughly. The Unscented / Free & Clear variant is especially good for people with sensitive skin and allergies. It is completely biodegradable, which helps you minimize your impact on the environment. Plus, because it is ultra-concentrated, you only need a 1-ounce capful of detergent per load of laundry using a high-efficiency washer. That means each 64-ounce bottle will last for up to 64 loads. 

4) Greenshield Organic – Laundry Detergent

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The 3x concentrated laundry detergent by Greenshield Organic is hypoallergenic, USDA-certified organic, and environment-friendly. It uses organic soap nuts, coconut products, and other ingredients from nature. Although all the variants are formulated without synthetic ingredients and common irritants, the Free & Clear is especially good for people with sensitive skin because it is unscented. Using a high-efficiency washer, a single 100-ounce bottle will allow you to do approximately 100 loads of laundry. If you have a standard washer, you can expect this to last for up to 66 loads. Plus, it’s good at washing away dirt and odors while also preserving color and softness. 

5) ECOS – Laundry Detergent

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The laundry detergent by ECOS boasts a plant-based formula that doesn’t just clean your clothes but also softens, freshens, and preserves fabrics. While the scented ECOS Laundry Detergent variants are equally safe and effective, the Free & Clear version is the best option for people with sensitive skin. It is free of fragrance, dyes, phosphates, chlorine, DEA, and petroleum. It is even enzyme-free, which can trigger itching or other allergic reactions in some highly-sensitive people. Additionally, it promises to be residue-free for as long as you follow usage instructions. So, you never need to rinse twice just to be absolutely sure that no detergent residue is left on your clothes and beddings before you use them.

Laundry Tips for People With Sensitive Skin

When you have sensitive skin, the most common laundry tip is to rinse twice. However, if you find the right laundry detergent, you won’t need to waste precious water on your laundry just to be extremely careful. Instead, here are a few more things you can do to help with your laundry woes:

• Don’t overload your machine. Doing laundry in smaller loads will allow your machine to rinse your clothes more efficiently. 
• Use the right amount of detergent. Follow instructions on your detergent’s packaging. Using too much detergent won’t make your clothes cleaner but will make it more difficult to rinse thoroughly.
• Skip the fabric softener. Most fabric softeners are too harsh for people with sensitive skin. Instead, the American Cleaning Institute recommends using white vinegar. White vinegar will remove soap residue and naturally soften your clothes. 

You use your laundry detergent on your clothes, underwear, and beddings. For your health and comfort, you need to find the best detergent that won’t just be gentle on your sensitive skin but also clean your laundry effectively. Luckily, the laundry detergents that are perfect for people with sensitive skin are also those that are free of toxic chemicals and are often made of natural ingredients. So, they are better for your overall health compared to many popular brands and are also better for the environment.