Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes roughness, itchiness, redness, inflammation, dryness, and rashes on the skin. While there are different eczema types, the most common is atopic dermatitis. Eczema treatments and remedies are targeted at reducing symptoms and  frequency of flare-ups. Personal care items, such as laundry detergents, are common eczema triggers due to the dyes, preservatives, fragrances, brighteners, and other chemicals within. However, the following gentle detergents are safe to use on eczema-prone skin:

1. Seventh Generation Free & Clear
This detergent is USDA Certified as a bio-based product. It uses 99% plant-based enzymes and has no synthetic fragrances, brighteners, dyes, or other harsh chemicals that can cause irritation and eczema flare-ups. The organic base makes it not only good for the skin, but also environmentally friendly. Seventh Generation boasts a “Leaping Bunny” cruelty-free seal, and the bottle is made from less plastic, making it compact and easier to handle. The formula is ultra-concentrated, meaning that a little goes a long way. It is easy to use in high-efficiency washing machines, and while it has no fragrance; it effectively removes tough stains like tomato sauce and grass stains.

2. Tide Free & Gentle
This fragrance-free detergent is recognized by National Psoriasis Foundation and National Eczema Association as a safe laundry detergent to use for patients with sensitive skin, especially when used in conjunction with other eczema remedies. It’s also hypoallergenic and does not contain any dyes, making it suitable to use on adult and children’s clothing, as it effectively removes tough stains.

3. Purex Baby Laundry
This hypoallergenic and dye-free detergent is ideal for families with sensitive skin. While it does contain fragrances, it’s a gentle baby-friendly light fragrance for users who are sensitive to smells. Purex Baby Laundry is also among the most affordable detergents on this list. It washes a full load of laundry for roughly $0.07–while removing tough stains just as well as other expensive detergents.

4. Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent
If synthetic fragrances cause your flare-ups, this is the detergent you should use. It is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and does not contain dyes or artificial perfumes. SkinSAFE has given the detergent a 100% rating, meaning that it is 100% free of the most concerning skin allergens. It, however, contains baking soda, which aids in removing stains on your clothes and surfaces. It is designed to wash well in high efficiency and standard washing machines and rinses cleaner than other detergents. Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent is also affordable, and one container will wash 107 to 140 laundry loads.

5. Dreft
Dreft’s Stage 1 hypoallergenic detergent is one of the best when washing your children’s clothes, especially if they have sensitive skin. Dreft is also a fragrance free laundry detergent, which is ideal to eczema patients who are sensitive to smells. This laundry formula is designed to be gentle on the most sensitive skin, even baby skin.

Consider the type, ingredients, testing, and certifications when looking for a gentle detergent for your sensitive skin. Ensure you also read reviews and look at ratings on the internet. To know whether the detergent is good for you, look at how your skin behaves immediately or after a few hours of coming into contact with freshly washed clothes.