Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story featured a detergent from The Laundress, which announced a recall impacting their product line citing “safety concerns” on Nov. 17, 2022.
If you have sensitive skin, you’re probably well-versed in the skin care products that work best for you. You might have even carefully selected fabrics that will cause the least irritation to reduce the probability of having a reaction. But have you ever thought about your laundry detergent? Choosing the right version of this household essential can be just as important as the body wash you use.
There are plenty of options to choose from in the laundry aisle, but Shop TODAY spoke to several laundry and skin care pros to find out what you should look for while shopping for a laundry detergent for sensitive skin.
What to look for in laundry detergents | Editor-approved laundry detergents | Expert-approved laundry detergents | Other dermatologist-tested detergents | How we chose | Meet our experts
Best budget, editor approved$undefined$12.97
What to look for in laundry detergents for sensitive skin
Check for certifications. Kristin DiNicolantonio, director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute, recommends keeping an eye out for specific certifications when shopping for a laundry detergent for sensitive skin. These include being Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly, National Eczema Association Accepted, National Psoriasis Foundation Recognized, Green Seal certified or Environmental Protection Agency Safer Choice certified.
Look for descriptors. Beyond certifications, DiNicolantonio recommends simply looking at descriptive words like “gentle,” “clear,” “sensitive skin” and “hypoallergenic” as indicators that the detergent will be suitable for your needs. While it’s not a guarantee that you won’t have an allergic reaction and sensitivities vary from person to person, she says they are designed to be more protective than others. Labels like “fragrance-free” and “dye-free” are also helpful.
Read the label. If you really want to make sure that the detergent will be suitable for you, DiNicolantonio says, “Always read the label/go online to determine the detergent’s ingredients.” You’ll likely see a long list of ingredients you’ve never heard of before but if one gives you pause, your best bet is to look it up to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs.
Consider the type of detergent. Nervous about detergent irritating your skin? Dr. Margarita Lolis, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, suggests using a liquid instead of a pod. “Liquid detergents are preferred over pods because you can control the amount of detergent used in contrast to pods, which are prepackaged. Pods also need to completely dissolve through the wash cycle. If they do not then they can leave residue, which can be irritating,” she says.
Know what to avoid. Lolis recommends avoiding sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). “They’re common surfactants in detergents and personal care products that can be harsh for sensitive skin. In addition, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives are known irritants that can lead to skin reactions,” she says.
Use the proper amount of detergent. When it comes to detergent, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner says less is always more. “It is important to pay attention to the directions that come with your detergent and use only as much as is recommended. Overdosing the wash can cause the cleansing molecules to become large between the weave of the garment. When it later comes in contact with the skin, this can lead to an irritation reaction. This can even happen if you were using a fragrance free, dye-free detergent,” he says. Dr Kiran Mian, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery, also recommends doing “an extra rinse cycle” to make sure all the residue gets washed off clothing.
Do a spot test. “My recommendation for those with sensitive skin is to do a test spot by washing a small piece of fabric or clothing to see if it causes any reactions,” Mian says.
Before you tackle the (physical or virtual) aisle, here are a few laundry detergents suitable for sensitive skin to start your search.
Editor-approved laundry detergents for sensitive skin
Easy to transport: Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets
- No extra plastic (unlike pods)
- Saves space
- Easy to use
- Pricier than other detergents
Size: 32 sheets | Number of laundry loads: 32 | Formulation: Sheets | Unscented? No; natural fragrance added
Emma Stessman, a writer at Shop TODAY, uses these laundry detergent sheets that have a natural added fragrance. She tells us, "I hate being a sensitive skin girl because I want to be able to use all the detergents and body washes with delicious scents! But I was using these for a while in a different scent (they don’t have the one I tried any more) and it was one of the first scented detergents that I found that didn't irritate my sensitive skin/make me itchy!"
Stessman continues, "I think maybe it has to do with the fact that there are no synthetic fragrances. I loved how convenient the sheets were since I have to carry my laundry up and down five flights of stairs and down the block to the laundromat. I could just take one or two with me and not have to lug a heavy detergent bottle."
Keeps clothes soft: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Helps soften clothing
- Affordable for size
- Truly unscented
Size: 84 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 64 loads | Formulation: Liquid | Unscented? Yes
Allie Wise, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, says that she's "been using this detergent for years and it has never steered me wrong." Wise continues, "I have sensitive skin, and this detergent keeps my clothes soft and doesn’t make my skin itchy or red."
Smells nice: Tide Plus Downy April Fresh Laundry Detergent
- Removes odors
- Makes clothes soft
- May leak easily
Size: 84 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 59 loads | Formulation: Liquid | Unscented? No
Wise also swears by this Tide Plus Downy laundry detergent that leaves her clothes feeling super soft and helps remove odors. This detergent soap comes in a variety of sizes and features a sweet citrusy scent.
Say goodbye to odors: All Mighty Pacs Free Clear Laundry Detergent Pacs
- Works for the entire family
- Doesn't irritate skin
- Some noted packaging issues
Size: 60 pods | Number of laundry loads: Dependent on laundry load size | Formulation: Liquid pods | Unscented? Yes
Sierra Hoeger, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, has used these laundry pods her whole life. She says, "My mom has been using this laundry detergent since I can remember. Our family is very active, and this detergent was good at preventing/getting rid of odor in sports uniforms, stopping 'strawberry bumps' on our arms and legs and keeps us from feeling itchy or having irritated skin."
Non-irritating, powder formula: Defunkify Powder Laundry Detergent
- Powder formula
- Bag "lasts forever"
- Costs a bit more than others
Size: 55 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 92 | Formulation: Powder | Unscented? Yes
Rebecca Brown, a deals editor at Shop TODAY, uses this powder detergent by Defunkify. She tells us, "No one in my house can handle overly scented detergent. I’ve tried a handful of different brands, and everyone’s skin seems to really tolerate this brand well. No scent, no irritants, and the bag lasts forever."
Expert-approved laundry detergents for sensitive skin
Super gentle: Tide Simply Clean & Sensitive Liquid Laundry Detergent
- OK for SE & standard machines
- Mixed reviews on scent
Size: 128 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 89 | Formulation: Liquid | Unscented? No
“This offers a deep clean as well as a cool cotton scent, while still being gentle on the skin, making it a great option for someone with sensitive skin who wants a scent,” Garshick says.
No more stains: Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs
- Good for sensitive skin
- Pods may not dissolve well
Size: 31.7 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 45 packs | Formulation: Pods | Unscented? No
“Containing enzyme-rich soap to help remove stains, this detergent is free of fragrance, dyes and artificial brighteners, making it good for those with sensitive skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick says.
Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp also recommends this laundry detergent, which is available in liquid form.
Stain-remover: Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
- Helps get rid of stains
- Only need a small amount
- Some noted no fresh scent
Size: 47 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 70 | Formulation: Powder | Unscented? No, but scent is natural
Camp also recommends Molly’s Suds powder liquid detergent for those with sensitive skin. While this option Camp referenced is scented, there’s also an unscented option available. Both are made without synthetic aromas and dyes.
Hypoallergenic: Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent
- Gentle on skin
- Package prone to leakage
Size: 144.5 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 107 | Formulation: Liquid | Unscented? Yes
This Arm & Hammer detergent that's both hypoallergenic and free of dyes as well as fragrances sports a SkinSAFE seal, and it's described by the brand as “tough on dirt but gentle on skin.” It’s also recommended by Camp.
Baby detergent: Dreft Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent
- Removes stains well
- Mixed review on sensitive skin
Size: 92 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 64 | Formulation: Liquid | Unscented? Yes
Another NEA-accepted pick, you might recognize Dreft for their popular baby detergent. This family-friendly version, which is recommended by dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt, is hypoallergenic and made with zero dyes or phosphates, according to the brand.
Fragrance-free: All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent
- The value (94 loads) is wonderful for the price
- Some reviewers have voiced concerns about leakage that occurs when the package is being shipped
Size: 141 oz. | Number of laundry loads: 94 | Formulation: Liquid | Fragrance-free? Yes
This dermatologist-recommended detergent, which Dr. Mona A. Gohara also approves of, has been given the thumbs up by allergists. According to the brand, it’s unscented, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it ideal for those who experience skin sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laundry detergent is supposed to clean your clothes, so in theory you’d be safe to assume that it would prevent irritation. Sadly, that’s not always the case. “There are a number of potential allergens in various detergent products, including dyes and fragrances, among others, Dr. Ranella Hirsch , a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, explains.
As your detergent works its magic cleansing your clothes, its dyes and fragrances can transfer into your garments. “As the garments come in contact with the skin, it can cause an allergic reaction,” Zeichner says.
Per Mian, some detergents can even “disrupt the pH balance of skin, leading to disruption of the acid mantle or skin barrier.”
Not sure what’s causing your skin to go haywire? Any type of skin reaction requires a process of trial and error to find the culprit and sometimes, the most obvious answer isn’t immediately apparent.
“Laundry detergent is a common cause of skin allergies and irritation that people don’t even consider,” Zeichner says.
It’s not always immediately apparent that laundry detergent is causing your skin irritation, but the skin care pro says these are a few telltale signs:
1) You have a widespread rash in the area where clothing typically comes into contact with skin (especially the underarms or waistband area)
2) You have a rash on your body but your face and hands are unaffected
Hirsch also recommends asking yourself the following questions to help determine if laundry detergent is the culprit:
1) Is there anything else that could’ve caused your skin to react (new foods, new skin care products, contact with pets, etc.)?
2) Is just one person in the house affected or does everyone have a rash?
If you already have sensitive skin, the odds are likely that you might want a laundry detergent formulated for sensitive skin. However, laundry detergent can irritate any skin type.
“Sensitive skin as used colloquially is not especially meaningful. People can develop a sensitivity or a full on irritant or allergic contact dermatitis regardless,” Hirsch says.
"Eczema is a condition where the skin barrier is not working as well as it should be," says Zeichner. "As a result, microscopic cracks develop in the outer skin layer, leading to dryness, irritation and inflammation."
Zeichner continues, "If you have eczema, or any other form of skin sensitivity, it is important to use the right laundry detergent. Detergents are a major contributor to worsening of symptoms of itch and rash, and often go unrecognized as a culprit. I recommend using fragrance free, dye free detergents."
Gohara also tells Shop TODAY that "the most common detergent triggers of eczema are fragrances and dyes." She continues, "So in the minimum one with sensitive skin or diagnosed eczema should be cognizant of avoiding these ingredients."
"Laundry sheets made without dyes or fragrances may be potential options for those with sensitive skin," says Camp. "Some, however, may contain sulfates that could be potentially irritating."
"In general, we tell our patients to avoid sheets because of the fragrance, and even if it says fragrance-free there can be masking fragrances!," says Gohara.
Baxt also prefers avoiding sheets and says, "I do not think dryer sheets are a good idea." She goes on to say, "I don’t think they are necessary for effective processing of laundry and they have a lot of extra chemicals in them. I know on a personal level I am extremely allergic to them. They do make hypoallergenic varieties. I just don’t think that they are necessary and they add extra allergens."
Many of our experts agree that laundry detergents with fragrances and dyes should be avoided if you have sensitive skin.
More specifically, Camp tells us, "Ingredients in detergents that are thought to contribute to skin irritation include fragrances, dyes, and surfactants." He continues, "People with more sensitive or eczema-prone skin may develop a contact dermatitis to ingredients that cause rashes, dryness or itching."
How we chose the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin
Finding the right laundry detergent for your sensitive skin can take a bit of trial and error, but knowing which ingredients to look for and avoid can give you a leg up. We consulted several board-certified dermatologists and a cleaning pro to find out why detergent can irritate skin and also asked them to share their top picks for detergent for every budget.
Meet our experts
- Kristin DiNicolantonio is the director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Cornell.
- Dr. Ranella Hirsch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.
- Dr. Margarita Lolis is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists.
- Dr Kiran Mian is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, is the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
- Dr. Mona A. Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who's also an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist working at MDCS Dermatology.
- Dr. Rebecca Baxt, MD, MBA, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist located in Paramus, New Jersey.
