Did you know approximately 71% of people around the world self-identify as having sensitive skin?1 Which means it’s likely that you or a loved one has experienced itchiness, inflammation or irritation associated with sensitive skin.
If that’s the case, it may be time to give your laundry routine a closer look.
Most people experience sensitive skin at some point in their lives, whether it is due to age, genetics, or even contact with irritating substances, with fragrances being one of the most common.
- Skin Conditions: from eczema to atopic dermatitis and more, there are many conditions that can cause sensitive skin.
- Contact dermatitis: caused when something touches your skin and causes irritation, with fragrances being one of the more common.2
- Age: babies have delicate skin3 while adults experience thinner, drier skin as they age, especially over the age of 50.4
- Seasonal effects: winter air can be cold and drying while heat and humidity in summertime can cause flare-ups in certain skin conditions.
- Allergens: allergens like pet dander5, ragweed6, pollen7, and dust/dust mites8 can irritate sensitive skin.
Check out All About Sensitive Skin to learn more about the causes of sensitive skin.
One of the most important – and easy! – switches you can make to your laundry routine is to use products that are gentle on skin yet effective against dirt, stains, and allergens.
To help you make the right choice, here are some key clues to look for when choosing sensitive-skin laundry products.
Detergent: Choose a sensitive-skin laundry detergent that uses hypoallergenic ingredients and is free of dyes and perfumes. Another easy way to choose a sensitive-skin laundry detergent is to look for endorsements by doctors and seals from trusted health groups like the National Eczema Association.
Fabric Softener: fabric softener can reduce friction and make clothes more comfortable against sensitive skin. Be sure to choose products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, like all® free clear’s fabric softener.
Dryer Sheets: dryer sheets can reduce static that can cause clothes to cling to sensitive skin, while also repelling pet hair and other allergens. Look for 100% fragrance- and dye-free dryer sheets like these all® free clear dryer sheets for sensitive skin.
Running an extra rinse cycle on your washing machine can help rinse away extra soils, allergens and detergent residues that may cause skin irritation.
New clothing can contain concentrated dyes and “fabric finishers” that can irritate skin. Be sure to wash all new clothes (and towels and bedding) before wearing them.9
Air drying your clothes outside may be eco-friendly but can allow allergens into your fabrics which can cause skin irritation. If you want to air dry, hang a line indoors or use a drying rack.10
It’s an important but often overlooked part of your laundry routine. Mold and mildew can grow inside your washer and transfer to clothing, leading to smelly clothes and unwanted allergens in your laundry.
Clean your washing machine once every 30 loads using a washing-machine detergent11. And afterwards, be sure to run a complete rinse cycle to wash away excess detergent that may be left behind.
That means clothing, as well as sheets, duvets, towels, uniforms, stuffed animals, and more. all® free clear is 100% free of perfumes and dyes, uses a hypoallergenic formula and removes 99% of top everyday and seasonal allergens*.
It is also the #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists, and pediatricians for sensitive skin and was the first laundry detergent awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.
* Dog and cat dander, dust mite matter, ragweed pollen, grass/tree pollen. all® free clear is not intended to treat or prevent allergies.
Sources: (accessed 3/20/24)
- Chen W, Dai R, Li L. The prevalence of self-declared sensitive skin: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Aug;34(8):1779-1788. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16166. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 31869523.
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/contact-dermatitis
- Stamatas GN, Nikolovski J, Luedtke MA, Kollias N, Wiegand BC. Infant skin microstructure assessed in vivo differs from adult skin in organization and at the cellular level. Pediatr Dermatol. 2010 Mar-Apr;27(2):125-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2009.00973.x. Epub 2009 Oct 4. PMID: 19804498.
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-causes
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pet-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352192
- https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/ragweed#symptoms
- https://www.webmd.com/allergies/skin-allergy-types-triggers
- https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/dust-allergies/
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/atopic-dermatitis/self-care
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/ss/slideshow-clothes-for-eczema
- https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-washing-machine-t20131#
