Are your clean clothes irritating your skin? While doing your laundry the right way is important, so are the ingredients in the detergent. Irrespective of your skincare regime, washing your clothes with the wrong detergent can cause skin inflammation. Most detergents have irritants like fragrances, solvents, enzymes, bleaches, and other chemicals that can be taxing on your skin, particularly if you suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis. Picking detergents that are safe for your skin is important.

1. Use a safe, non-toxic laundry detergent
While laundry detergents contain perfumes, dyes, and whiteners that clean and disinfect your clothes and provide a refreshing smell, they can have adverse effects on sensitive skin. These infusions cause rashes and flare-ups and dry your skin. Always opt for a hypoallergenic detergent that is free from strong fragrances, harsh dyes, and optical brighteners. All these ingredients leave toxic residues on your clothes that worsen your skin condition. Detergents sourced from naturally-derived surfactants and plant-based ingredients are ideal for combating eczema and other skin allergies. Hypoallergenic detergents often contain skin-friendly ingredients like cocamidopropylamine oxide (plant-powered surfactant), sodium coco sulfates (plant-powered surfactant), cocamidopropyl betaine (plant-powered surfactant), methylisothiazolinone (preservative), and phenoxyethanol (preservative).

2. Use a liquid laundry detergent
Washing powders don’t dissolve completely in water that leaves small amounts of soap particles on your clothes. They cling to the fibers of the fabric and will not go away easily, even by rinsing. This residue builds-up eventually and starts rubbing against your skin that causes allergies and rashes. Switching to liquid detergents is an ideal choice and a safe one for sensitive skin since there’s no chance of residue build-up.

3. Rethink the detergent you’re buying
If you notice closely, most laundry detergents are not pH balanced and are significantly alkaline. This ingredient found in conventional detergents causes allergic skin reactions in people with sensitive skin. They can also trigger eczema symptoms and cause further inflammation to already inflamed skin. Check out homemade laundry soaps, baking soda washes, and vinegar rinses.

4. Avoid using fabric softeners
Fabric softeners contain high doses of scents, preservatives, and dyes that irritate sensitive skin. They cause more allergic reactions in people already suffering from rashes, skin inflammation, and other allergies. However, use liquid fabric softeners with soothing ingredients that can be comforting on your skin.

5. Check the NEA website for laundry products listed
The National Eczema Association established the NEA Seal of acceptance to recognize products that are considered safe for people with sensitive skin. This includes laundry products like detergent powders, softeners, liquid detergents and softeners, and other laundry care products that are extremely safe and soothing to the skin. This seal ensures the same.