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Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:37 pm  |
| I've noticed there are quite a few of you, like me, with very sensitive skin. Last night, I got no sleep & am in considerable pain/itch. I used a different detergent a few weeks ago & am still suffering the ramifications. I have a rash all over my chest which I assume is reaction to the detergent. Strangely, my scalp has gotten itchy ,too.I have an emergency dermatologist appointment today. I guess I'm back to my Tide Free. Do any of you have fave detergents for sensitive skin? Thanks in advance. |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:44 pm |
oooh, I sympathise c4ward.
I'm in the UK, and I only use M&S sensitive washing products. I wouldnt dare change, it's just too itchy!
Would some antihistamine help, and some aloe gel topically? |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:47 pm |
| I've taken the antihistamines. At this point, I don't dare put anything on it for fear of exascerbating the situation. I just have to hold out for 3 hours until my doctor's appointment. Thanks for the sympathy & suggestions! |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:40 pm |
| I can sympathize with you. I have noticed that my skin is more sensitive and itchy to laundry detergent this time of the year than any other. Have you recently switched brands or did this just happen? I thought for a while that it was the detergent that I used but it turns out that it wasn't, it was the new shower gel that I had started using. For some reason though I only felt the itching once I laid down in bed. Strange I know. Maybe you can do a process of elimination trying to figure out if it really is the detergent or if it is some other product. |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:59 pm |
I agree with Anna that it is often stuff you use in the shower. PH neutral and SLS free works for me.
I am in the UK and I find that the stuff that's least irritant is Good Home Company (from the US) or Surecare (which can be bought at the supermarket) or if neither available then Fairy or Persil non bio. BUT the key with washing clothes for people with sensitive skin is less about the detergent and more about making sure it's all rinsed out. If your machine doesn't have an extra rinse function, try running it through again on another short wash without any detergent. |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:05 pm |
| Tide free is what I use. It's one of the changes I had to make after continually getting a rash from my sheets. Another thing I had to give up is hanging my sheets in backyard to dry in the sun. It catches too many allergens. I loved the smell of sheets dried in the sun. |
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Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:14 pm |
I get itchy skin from some laundry detergents as well.
What I do:
Do not use any powdered detergents
I use liquid Gain and liquid Cheer for darks.
Gain fabric softener.
I know the smell from Gain can be overwhelming for some, but I love it!
HTH! |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:33 pm |
| Strangely, I'm allergic to the deep hair conditioner I left on for a few hours on Monday. I've gotten topical cream & Zytec. The rash has improved . |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:45 pm |
| A friend of mine's father got a boil on his back the the doctors claimed was from the laudry detergent. They reccomended Arm&Hammer. |
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combo - 33y/o routine: Clarisonic;PSF 5% BHA; Nia24 SS, KS Deep tissue repair, KIJ, quench, Detox daily clens;  's: Lips2Kiss; PSF: Pumpkin Peel, Papya cleanser, Acne Mud, R&R toner; Revitalash; |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:11 pm |
| I'm going on a lotion "fast" until this rash is gone. |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:08 pm |
All Free and Clear! (Liquid)
...and use an unscented fabric softener, skip it altogether, or try tennis balls to fluffify your clothes in the dryer.
Many laundry products give me a horrible itchy rash that lasts FOREVER! Not sure what causes it, but I know where you're coming from! |
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25, very fair, dry/sensitive, mild rosacea, otherwise good skin!  |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:32 pm |
| c4ward wrote: |
| Strangely, I'm allergic to the deep hair conditioner I left on for a few hours on Monday. I've gotten topical cream & Zytec. The rash has improved . |
Yikes! Can you tell us which one? I hate it when you are excited to try something out and you end up suffering a week because of it! |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:07 am |
c4ward -- just wanted to thank you for bringing this subject up. in the states, i always used Arm & Hammer and never had a particular problem i'm battling with. it seems that when i'm exposed to something i'm allergic to, my lower neck and upper chest gets rosy red and looks (doesn't feel) irritated. i stopped wearing my necklace (i can only seem to wear platinum) and have tried various creams, etc., in an effort to calm it down. nothing's worked. i started thinking it was just age.
then this thread was started.... this problem really came out in all it's glory once i hit paris. what's the difference here? the water for one. but also the world's worst washer/dryer combo that seems to neither well. i started to suspect it was the awful detergent my boyfriend buys, but that change alone hasn't helped. i think now it's the fact that the detergent just stays in the fabric forever and if i don't pull the clothes out immediately after, they start to smell all moldy.
i am going to try the double-washing, the second being only a rinse, and try to get true hypoallergenic bio detergent (rather than the one for babies i'm using) and pay closer attention to getting the clothes out immediately. this may not help completely solve my problem, but it will surely help a lot.
so, again, many thanks for bringing this subject up. i was working so hard to fix the damage that i forgot completely about searching for other problems that might be causing it. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:20 am |
| I'm in the UK too, I use Persil sensitive and so far it works great. I always use the extra rinse cycle though to make sure as much of the detergent comes out as possible. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:59 am |
I've been lucky that I have never had a problem with detergent itself but moreso fabric softener. My favourite is Downy April Fresh - I can't stand the scents of others as they really irritate me. A good natural fabric softener though is to mix some baking soda with your favourite Essential Oils to give it a nice scent. As EOs are expensive this is definitely not the cheapest route but you may want to try the baking soda at least to see if that makes a difference.
There is also a good natural brand here called 7th Generation that makes laundry detergents, natural cleansing products and also personal hygiene items and baby wipes. I've used the wipes and think they're great. I don't know where you live but in Canada the line is sold at health food stores as well as some grocery stores. |
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Global Butterfly & Certified Aromatherapist/Holisitc Therapist with a passion for travel and natural health.  |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:54 am |
My husband and I both have sensitive skin, so we switched to natural laundry detergent. Fortunately, that did the trick and neither of us has had a reaction since. We've used the 7th Generation brand Wildflower mentioned as well as bio-kleen and ecover. All worked well.
My favorite fabric softener now is just plain white vinegar. It works beautifully. The only disadvantage is that it leaves no discernible scent, so those who like a bit of fragrance would need to add some kind of EO. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:40 am |
A huge thank you to all of you & your advice!
I appreciate it more than I can say!  |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:01 pm |
I'm allergic to Arm&Hammer detergent,  . |
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25, very fair, dry/sensitive, mild rosacea, otherwise good skin! |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:18 pm |
I also try to use more natural detergent, so we have been using Ecover. It is sold at Whole Foods. My only problem that it does not work too well with whites. Does anyone has a better natural recommendation?
TIA,
Lucy. |
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Early 50s, Skin: combin.,semi-sensitive, fair with occasional breakouts, some old acne scars, freckles, under-eye wrinkles; Redhead with hazel eyes |
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Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:32 am |
| Sigma, I've noticed the same thing with the natural detergents I've used. I've had success with supplementing with an oxygen bleach. The natural detergent brand I'm using now (biokleen) makes one. (They also make a product called bac-out, which is unbelievably good at removing stains and odors.) |
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Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:19 pm |
| Tide Free & Gentle is a solid choice. Other good options for sensitive skin include All Free Clear, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear, and ECOS Hypoallergenic. Many clean people customer service experiences have highlighted how helpful these brands can be, especially when dealing with sensitive skin needs. Using an extra rinse cycle can also help remove any leftover residue. Hope your appointment goes well and you get some relief soon. |
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