Editor’s tip: For stubborn spots, soak clothes in cold water with a little Dreft Pure Gentleness before washing to help lift stains without a ton of scrubbing.
Type: Liquid | Quantity: 46 fl. Oz. | Number of loads: 32 | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients in laundry detergent can irritate skin?
Some ingredients in laundry detergents can be harsh on sensitive skin, leading to irritation, allergies, or eczema flare-ups. “Laundry detergents can cause both irritant dermatitis from harsh chemicals like surfactants—such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)—that dry out the skin, and contact dermatitis from known allergens like fragrances and preservatives,” says Dr. Cheung. For a skin-loving clean, dermatologists suggest choosing a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which ensures the formula meets strict safety standards for sensitive skin.
Is there a type of laundry detergent that’s best for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, liquid laundry detergents are typically your best bet in terms of gentle formulas. Powders can sometimes leave behind residue, especially if they don’t fully dissolve in colder water, which may lead to irritation. Pods, while convenient, often contain higher concentrations of surfactants and stabilizers, which can be harsher on sensitive skin. It’s also important to remember that “using too much liquid detergent can leave behind residue, increasing the risk of irritation—even with a gentle formula,” says Dr. Cheung. To minimize this, “follow the correct detergent dosage and add an extra rinse cycle for extra precautions,” she says.
Meet the experts
- Jessie Cheung, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago and NYC
- Martha Viera, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Coral Gables, FL
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.