When you struggle with sensitive skin or allergies pertaining to your skin, then you know what a hassle it can be even just washing your clothes. You have to use a special detergent and heaven forbid you try to stay overnight somewhere…for more than a few days…without bringing your own detergent!
Thankfully, there are many “free and clear” detergents that you can choose from to ease or possibly eliminate the skin discomfort that results from artificial fragrances and dyes.
What Are The Symptoms of Detergent Allergy?
There are several ways to self-diagnose a detergent allergy. The most common sign of laundry detergent sensitive skin allergies is inflammatory. If you have patches of itchy or red skin where your clothes are frequently touching then you may be allergic to an ingredient in the laundry detergent.
If you have sensitive skin, it is important that you decipher whether the patches of irritated skin could be from chafing or abrasion with the materials of your clothing.
This response happens because our bodies accidentally think one of the detergent’s ingredients is harmful and so it sends histamine chemicals into our bloodstreams to fight the supposed bad bacteria causing inflammatory responses. The common culprit of this reaction is usually the preservatives, fragrances, or dyes used in laundry detergents. Sometimes that 'scent' of the soap is not worth the irritation your skin suffers later.
Recommended Laundry Detergent for Eczema
You can find a lot of dermatologist-recommended detergents for those suffering from psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, or sensitive skin. A perk to using laundry detergent for sensitive skin is that it is safe for baby clothes as well.
We would also like to point out that the Brand all® free clear is currently the #1 recommended laundry detergent by Dermatologists. A few other options include:
- all Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Organic Rain Laundry Detergent
- Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Molly’s Suds All Natural Laundry Powder
- Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Unscented
- Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Grandmas Pure and Natural All Natural Laundry Soap
- Grab Green Natural 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pods
- MLS Laundry System – The Green
- Persil ProClean Power-Liquid Sensitive Skin
How To Choose The Best Soap for Sensitive Skin
A few things to look for when trying to find a laundry detergent that is safe for sensitive skin is that the soap is fragrance free, has no foaming agents, and liquid rather than powder. Liquid laundry detergents are less likely to leave behind residue and build up on clothes and towels, making it easier to prevent skin irritation.
Foaming agents are counterproductive because it is actually harder to get clothes that have been introduced to foam completely rinsed. While everyone loves playing with different pleasing scents, the chemicals used to create said scents can cause flare-ups when you suffer from a skin condition, so it is best to avoid them if you prefer to prevent any rashes from detergent.
Here is an overview of things to consider when choosing a laundry detergent for your sensitive skin or skin condition:
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Ingredients: Look for a laundry detergent that is free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. Ingredients like sulfates and phosphates can cause irritation to sensitive skin.
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Hypoallergenic: Select a detergent that is hypoallergenic and is free from common allergens like nuts and animal products.
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pH balance: Choose a detergent which is pH balanced - this ensures that the detergent's pH level is compatible with the skin's natural pH, and doesn't cause any irritation.
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Dermatologist tested: Opt for a detergent that has been tested by a dermatologist to ensure it's gentle on sensitive skin.
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Brand reputation: Choose a well-known brand with a reputation for producing quality products. Look for reviews and recommendations from other people with sensitive skin.
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Type of detergent: Consider liquid detergents over powdered ones, as they are less likely to leave residue on clothes which can cause skin irritation.
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Cost: While cost is an important factor, it shouldn't be the determining factor when selecting a laundry detergent for sensitive skin. It's better to spend a little more on a high-quality detergent that's safe for sensitive skin than to risk skin irritation.
Consider Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
If you have eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or sensitive skin, making your own laundry detergent could be an ideal option for you. If you do not want to try, or have already tried the detergents on our list, consider making your own homemade laundry detergent for sensitive skin.
There are many different places on the internet where you can find recipes for homemade sensitive skin detergent. Making your own detergent is better in a lot of ways, especially because you know exactly what your skin is coming into contact with.
At Eczema Care Company we know what it’s like to be careful in the products we use on our skin because it doesn’t take much to cause a serious skin reaction or worse…bring about a flare-up.
While our Honey & Oatmeal Soap bar may not be handy as a laundry detergent substitute, it’s great as a daily skin cleanser and won’t strip away your skin’s natural oil.