Got Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Say You Should Use This Laundry Detergent

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You can’t clean your clothes without it, but for those with sensitive skin laundry detergent can be an even bigger enemy than laundry day itself. Conventional formulas are packed with harsh chemicals and fragrances—you could smell that “clean laundry” scent from a mile away!—that may freshen your duds, but they can also cause redness, itching, and even rashes. Thankfully, there are a number of gentler products out there—safe for even the most sensitive skin—you just have to know what to look for.

Best laundry detergent for sensitive skin

What to consider

Ingredients

If you have sensitive skin, it's important to choose a laundry detergent specifically designed to suit your needs. Look for buzz words like "gentle," "eczema-safe," "hypoallergenic" or "free and clear," says Dr. Jody Levine, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Typically, these detergents are free of harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances.”

The most important thing to do is a quick scan of the ingredient list, since terms like "gentle" and "free and clear" are largely unregulated. Even formulas labeled “free and clear” may still have potentially irritating ingredients, experts told us. “Preservatives, especially isothiazolinones, such as methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI), MI alone, and benzisothiazolinone (BIT) have a history of causing allergic contact dermatitis, and are one of the most common culprits in contact dermatitis to detergents,” says Dr. Chelsey Straight, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and mohs micrographic surgeon. Unfortunately, the list of ingredients that may trigger reactions doesn’t stop there, says Dr. Justine Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It is difficult to list all of the ingredients that might cause issues in sensitive skin patients, because not all ingredients cause issues in everyone and harmful ingredients can have different names making them hard to identify.” When in doubt, always consult your dermatologist for tailored advice.

Type

Liquids, tablets, sheets... today there are all different kinds of laundry detergents out there. So which one should you choose for sensitive skin? "The choice between pods and liquids is really a matter of preference," says Straight. "Theoretically, liquids are nice, because you can adjust the amount used per load, but both pods and liquid can be fine for sensitive skin." That goes for bed sheets, too.

Size

What size product you buy has less to do with skin type and more to do with convenience. Do you have a large family and ample room to store a bulk buy? You'll likely save both time and money by shopping this way. On the other hand, if you schlep your clothes to the basement of your apartment building or even to a laundromat, chances are you'll find a smaller bottle of detergent, pods, or even laundry sheets much easier to use.

How we selected

To find the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin, the Women's Health team consulted five dermatologists, plus asked our team of anonymous testers and our in-house editors for feedback on their most tried-and-true formulas. This final list includes something gentle for everyone, whether you prefer a large container or liquid you won't have to replenish for months, laundry sheets you can travel with, or pods that don't require any measuring whatsoever. Read on for our definitive list of the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin.

Free and Clear

You know you’ve found a winner when every dermatologist you speak to recommends the same formula. All Free and Clear was consistently recommended as the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin—so much so, in fact, that we had to press for other great options.

It’s easy to understand why derms are quick to share this product. It’s formulated without any perfumes or dyes, and is traditionally more affordable than other big-name brands like Tide. A little bit of the concentrated formula goes a long way, giving you even more bang for your buck. There are easy-to-read measuring lines on the cap to make measuring less of a chore, too.

Our testers gave the unscented formula high marks in terms of performance, too. Contributor Brigitt Earley, a mom of four toddlers (you know what that means: she sees a lot of dirty clothes!), has been using this product for as long as she can remember. “I can’t stand the smell of conventional laundry detergents—it’s just so suffocating," she says. "Not to mention, my kids have sensitive skin that doesn’t react well to those formulations.” In general, we like All Free and Clear because it effectively takes stains and odors out of our clothes without all that fragrance. And even though it’s unscented, everything smells perfectly fresh and clean coming out of the laundry—even garments soiled with things like urine, or sweat.

Read more: How Often You Should Wash Your Towels

Sensitive Skin Free and Clear

A close second to All Free and Clear, this value-sized laundry detergent was recommended by three separate dermatologists as being both safe and effective. Despite an unbeatable price, the hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested formula doesn't contain any trace of dyes, perfumes, or parabens, plus is fragrance-free. It's also certified "SkinSafe," which means the ingredient list excludes 100% of the top ingredients considered skin allergens.

"When shopping, my biggest criterion is 'free and clear,' but only second to price," says Earley. "Which means I often find myself reaching for this formula, depending on what's on sale." It's a solid pick, she says, noting it gets the job done—even if clothes are heavily soiled. It's all thanks to the addition of baking soda in the formula. The only reason it's not necessarily her top pick? "It may do the trick on stains, but I just don't feel like it deodorizes my clothes the same way the top pick does."

Laundry Detergent Tablet Starter Set

Dr. Kiran Mian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist recommends this product by Blueland as another great option for those who need a gentler laundry detergent. We also recommend it for anyone interested in minimizing their environmental footprint (something we should all consider!), since the product is entirely plastic-free.

With your first order, you'll receive a reusable tin and 60 laundry tablets—you just need one per load, so this purchase will last you a solid 60 washes. Once you gauge approximately how long this takes your family, you can even set up a subscription to have more tablets delivered at the frequency of your choice.

Each tablet is packed with plant- and mineral-based ingredients—absolutely no fragrances, parabens, phthalates, chlorine, bleach, or other potentially irritating ingredients. They're safe for traditional and HE machines alike, too.

Users praise Blueland's laundry tablets for, well, just about everything. Testers note they're easy to use, take up less space in their laundry room, and even tackle messy stains the same way other hardworking detergents do. Importantly, testers report they're entirely non-irritating, too.

Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent

If you're a Tide stan, you're in luck, because the brand's Free and Gentle Formula is one of Dr. Levine's top picks. The supersize bottle will see you through up to 100 loads, so you won't have to continually restock your supply. But even more importantly, it's labeled hypoallergenic, as it's free from all dyes and perfumes. The product has even earned seals of acceptance from organizations like the National Eczema Association and the National Psoriasis Foundation—two of the most sensitive skin types out there.

Our testers appreciated the fact that this product comes in many different formulations, depending on your preferences. Choose the big family-size jug, a smaller and more portable bottle, or opt for the pods—each one is as gentle as the other. Users say they all perform as well as you'd expect a Tide product too, though some noted superior results in warmer water.

Laundry Detergent Pacs

Leave it to Amazon. This is one of the cheapest laundry detergents out there—especially in the camp of detergent for sensitive skin. The pods, which will see you through an impressive 120 washes, are entirely free and clear. You know what that means by now—they're free of both perfumes and dyes that can irritate.

Users we spoke to like the convenience of not having measure out goopy liquid. All you have to do is pop one of these into your machine and hit start. They dissolve in both cold and warm water, so you don't have to think too much about temperature, either. "My clothes look and feel clean when I use these unscented pods," one tester told us. "But even more importantly, my skin doesn't itch anymore."

EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent

Another one of Dr. Mian's top picks, this grocery store brand is free and clear just like all of our other top picks, but has one big claim to fame that separates it from the rest of the pack: Even though it's a liquid, there's no messy measuring required. One squeeze equals one load—it's as easy-breezy as can be.

How could a single squeeze possibly refresh an entire load of laundry you may ask? Despite being gentle, the formula is ultra-concentrated, so a little bit works harder to get your clothes clean. Each bottle will see you through 66 loads, according to the brand, making this a great budget-friendly pick, too.

Users tell us it's as easy and effective as it seems. "I've been using this product since it first came out a few years ago," said one tester. "You really can't beat the convenience—especially if you have to lug your detergent to a far-away laundry room like me—and it's never once left me with angry, irritated, or itchy skin."

Laundry Detergent Sheets

If you're not familiar with laundry sheets, meet one of the latest innovations in the detergent space. These products are quickly gaining traction for their convenience and portability. There's no messy measuring required, and they're as light as can be. You can stuff a box in a carry-on bag and still be totally TSA-compliant. Many experts, including the dermatologists we spoke to, say laundry sheets also happen to be a more eco-friendly choice, since they're also plastic-free. And if they're labeled free and clear, like this one? Then they're appropriate for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies, says Dr. Peter Young, MD, medical director at Nurx Dermatology.

One avid user told us she never travels without these laundry sheets, noting she spent an entire summer traveling through Europe with them in her bag. Sweaty, stained clothes? They're no match for these easy-dissolving laundry sheets. You can even use the hypoallergenic and fragrance-free product in the sink of your hotel room to superb results, our tester told us.

Are laundry detergents for sensitive skin non-toxic?

"Laundry detergents for sensitive skin usually contain more natural ingredients and are often more eco-friendly, making them less toxic for your skin and the environment," says Dr. Levine. But—and this is a big but—non-toxic is not a regulated term, says Dr. Straight. "In general, non-toxic means the product does not contain ingredients that are harmful to your health," she explains, noting that just because a product is labeled as safe for sensitive skin, does not mean you can deem it fully non-toxic.

What does hypoallergenic mean?

"Hypoallergenic means that the product contains few allergens and is, therefore, less likely to cause an allergic reaction," says Dr. Levine.

What does an allergic reaction to laundry detergent look like?

"If you are having an allergic reaction to laundry detergent, fabric softener, or dryer sheets, you will likely develop a red rash or hives and experience itchiness," says Dr. Levine. Typically, any rash caused by an allergic reaction to laundry detergent is "mostly truncal, or where clothes comes into contact with the patient's skin," adds Dr. Straight.

What does it mean when a laundry detergent is free-and-clear?

"Free and clear laundry detergent is free of fragrance, dyes, and harsh chemicals," says Dr. Levine. "This makes it a great option for sensitive skin, as there is a lower risk of allergic reactions or irritation."

Meet the Experts

• Jody Levine, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in New York, NY.

• Chelsey Straight, MD is a double board-certified dermatologist and mohs micrographic surgeon, and founder of Pure Dermatology in Austin, TX.

• Justine Park, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Beauty Center in Los Angeles, CA.

• Kiran Mian, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York, NY.

• Peter Young, MD is the medical director at Nurx Dermatology.

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