The Best Laundry Detergents for Sensitive Skin of 2026

Sometimes it's not enough to have the best laundry detergent. If you have sensitive skin, you're not only looking for how easily each detergent removes stains, you're also comparing their ingredient lists for known irritants.

While we researched what makes each detergent hypoallergenic, for the purpose of these tests, we trusted claims and clinical trials, which are better suited to a more in-depth investigation.

After weeks of washing laundry, Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin (available at Amazon) rocketed to the top of our rankings for the best laundry detergents for sensitive skin thanks to the superior stain removal performance. However, there are many great laundry detergents for sensitive skin in this guide.

Other Detergents For Sensitive Skin We Tested

How We Test Laundry Detergent For Sensitive Skin

The Tests

When it came to testing detergents for sensitive skin, we wanted a product that balanced non-irritating ingredients and stain removal performance. We tested all the detergents in the Maytag MVWC565FW, a high-efficiency washing machine, on the Normal cycle with warm (not hot) water. To ensure that our test results were consistent, we used mechanically dyed swatches that are covered in common household substances like sweat, oil, pig’s blood, red wine, and cocoa.

All stains are carefully sourced—for example, all the red wine is made in the same vineyard and all the blood comes from the same breed of pig.

Step One: We placed our stain swatches into standardized loads of laundry. Each load contained eight pounds of pillowcases, towels, and bed sheets. We made sure our test laundry was free from fabric softeners as those chemicals change the way fabric interacts with water.

Step Two: We repeated this process with swatches set in designated places inside of the washing machine. For example, the first towel goes on the left side of the agitator followed by a bedsheet on the right.

Step Three: After we ran the Normal cycle, we let each strip dry overnight before analyzing them with a photospectrometer—a device designed to detect changes in color. This allowed us to assign an empirical number to how much of each stain the detergent lifted.

Step Four: Finally, we compared the ingredients of all the detergents we tested using the Environmental Working Group database. We felt that EWG has a proven track record of collating information about a comprehensive list of chemicals.

How to Choose the Best Laundry Detergent

What is the Difference Between Free-and-Clear and Regular Detergent?

The term “free-and-clear” has no legal standard, but there are some differences between those detergents and others.

The first thing you’ll probably notice is the color. Most free-and-clear detergents are milky white rather than the usual blue. In regular detergents, the blue color comes from dyes used to help fight yellowing in clothing.

Another major difference is the smell: Most detergents we tested had a rubbing alcohol smell because, in many cases, ethanol was used as a cleaning agent.

Will Fragrances Irritate Sensitive Skin?

By law, manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in their fragrances, so it can be difficult to know if you’re allergic to certain products. Even products labeled “unscented” can contain fragrances, and both natural and artificial fragrances have the potential to irritate your skin.

However, companies like P&G have vowed to be more transparent with what goes into making the scents of its products.

If you’re worried about fragrances, look for products that have the EPA’s Safe Choice seal.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

All the products we tested for this roundup have phrases like “free-and-clear'' and “hypoallergenic.” On the surface, hypoallergenic translates to products low in allergy-causing compounds.

However, according to the FDA, these terms have no legal meaning.

A study done at Northwest University showed that out of the 100 top-selling moisturizers labeled “hypoallergenic,” 83% contained potential allergens. If you have allergies or a skin condition, this is not ideal for your skincare routine!

While this isn’t exactly the same as detergents, our research into various ingredients of the detergents in our roundup yielded similar results.

“Free-and-clear” typically refers to detergent that is fragrance free, contains no dyes or perfumes, which can cause irritation. It also usually means that the detergent lacks any optical brighteners.

We frown on the addition of optical brighteners because they use an actual trick of the light to make clothes look cleaner without removing any stains.

Are Laundry Detergents For Sensitive Skin Non-toxic?

By cutting down the ingredient list to avoid irritating chemicals, laundry detergents for sensitive skin reduce the number of harmful chemicals they contain.

Even if a laundry detergent is designed to be good for your skin or the environment, that doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful if used improperly. Almost all detergents have warnings against swallowing them or getting them in your eyes. This is because almost all chemicals are harmful if used in the wrong way.

If you want a non-toxic laundry detergent, sensitive skin or eco-friendly brands are a good option. The ingredients are chosen to minimize risks to you and the environment.

Are Free-and-Clear Detergents Safe for Babies?

You should consult a pediatrician about what products are and are not suitable for your child. However, our experiments with brands that tout themselves as safe for young children have found that these generally have fewer ingredients than average.

For example, Molly’s Suds has only five ingredients and is mostly made of baking soda and washing soda—a substance that makes grease and dirt more likely to dissolve into water.

More Articles You Might Enjoy

• The Best Liquid Laundry Detergents
• The Best Eco-Friendly Detergents
• Pet owners—You've got these options in the laundry room
• These hacks will keep your white sheets white—for good