Sensitive Skin? What Type of Laundry Detergents Should You Choose?

Having sensitive skin can be a challenge, as even everyday tasks like doing laundry can trigger irritation and discomfort. Conventional laundry detergents often contain chemicals and additives that can exacerbate sensitive skin issues. The good news is that there are safer alternatives available that can effectively clean your clothes without compromising your skin's health. In this blog post, we will explore the chemicals found in conventional laundry detergents, their potential effects on sensitive skin, and the safer alternatives you should consider.

Chemicals in Conventional Laundry Detergents:

Conventional laundry detergents typically contain a variety of chemicals, including artificial fragrances, dyes, enzymes, and optical brighteners. Fragrances and dyes are common culprits when it comes to skin irritation. They are added to make your clothes smell fresh and look vibrant, but they can trigger allergies and sensitivities. Enzymes, such as proteases and amylases, are used to break down stains but can also cause skin reactions. Optical brighteners are added to make clothes appear brighter, but they can leave a residue on the fabric that may irritate sensitive skin. Sulphates and phosphates are also used in detergents – sulphates can strip your skin of its protective barrier and leave it feeling itchy and red. Phosphates, when released back into the water supply, as part of wastewater, can be harmful for the environment. 

Potential Effects on Sensitive Skin

The chemicals found in conventional laundry detergents can have several adverse effects on sensitive skin. They may cause allergic reactions, including itching, redness, and rashes. For individuals with conditions like eczema or psoriasis, these detergents can aggravate existing symptoms and lead to flare-ups. The residue left on clothing can come into contact with your skin, causing irritation and discomfort throughout the day.

Safer Alternatives

Fortunately, there are safer alternatives available that are specifically designed for individuals with sensitive skin. Here are some options to consider:

Certified Allergen-free detergents:  Look for laundry detergents that are labeled as fragrance-free or unscented. These do not contain added fragrances that can irritate your skin. Or choose those that have an allergen-free certification. All Osh products have allergen-free IFRA-certified fragrances which are 100% safe and won’t cause any allergic reaction. 

Natural and Organic Detergents: Natural and organic detergents are made from plant-based ingredients and do not contain harsh chemicals. They are often free of dyes, fragrances, and other potential irritants. Osh Homecare Solutions are formulated with 99% natural and plant-derived ingredients, making them completely safe for sensitive skin. They are free of chemicals like sulphates, phosphates, optical brighteners, bleach and harmful toxins like 1,4 dioxane-toxin. Osh Laundry products have been dermatologically tested and are safe for sensitive skin. 

What Makes Them Safer

Laundry detergents for sensitive skin are formulated without the harsh chemicals found in conventional detergents. They are free of fragrances, dyes, enzymes, optical brighteners, and other potential irritants. These detergents focus on providing effective cleaning power without compromising the health of your skin. They often undergo dermatological testing to ensure they are safe for sensitive individuals just like Osh Laundry Detergents. 

It's important to note that even with safer detergents, it's a good practice to test a small amount of the product on a small area of your clothing or skin before using it for your entire laundry load. This way, you can ensure that the detergent does not cause any adverse reactions.