As dermatologists, one of the most overlooked causes of persistent skin irritation is laundry detergent. Your skin, your body’s largest organ is constantly exposed to residues left on your clothes, sheets, and towels. That’s why choosing a non-toxic, hypoallergenic laundry detergent is crucial for anyone with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies, or even just a desire to avoid unnecessary chemical exposure.
Most commercial detergents contain harsh ingredients like 1,4-dioxane (a chemical linked to liver toxicity and cancer by the EPA), ethoxylated alcohols, SLS/SLES, synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and parabens. These chemicals can compromise your skin barrier and trigger rashes, itching, or dryness—even if you’ve never considered yourself “sensitive.”
We’ve reviewed dozens of options with a team of dermatologists, prioritizing clean ingredients, skin safety, and environmental impact. Here are our top 5 dermatologist-recommended laundry detergents.
Our #1 Pick: Truly Free Laundry Detergent
Truly Free tops our list for its plant-based formula, zero toxins, and refillable packaging. It’s free of all common irritants and even includes optional essential oil blends for those who want a fresh scent—without the synthetic chemicals.
⭐ Dermatologist Rating: 5/5
Truly Free is a standout in every category: clean ingredients, skin safety, and sustainability. It’s powered by a plant-based formula that’s free of SLS, phosphates, optical brighteners, artificial fragrances, 1,4-dioxane, and over 100 other harmful chemicals. Unlike conventional brands, it’s also biodegradable and comes in refillable, zero-waste jugs, reducing your plastic footprint.
What makes Truly Free unique is how customizable it is. You can choose from fragrance-free or essential oil-scented versions (great for families or individuals with allergies), and it’s gentle enough for babies but effective enough to tackle tough stains.
- Hypoallergenic
- Safe for sensitive skin, eczema, and allergy-prone users
- Refillable, zero-waste jugs (no single-use plastic!)
- Works in HE and standard machines
- Plant-based, biodegradable formula
- Made in the USA
🌱 Fragrance-Free Available
📦 Subscription option with big savings
Limited Time Offer ***
- 300 Free Loads
- Free Refillable Jug
- Free Laundry Machine Cleaner
- Free Shipping USA
2. Molly’s Suds
Molly’s Suds is a great powder-based alternative made from a handful of natural minerals and salts. It contains no SLS, artificial fragrances, or dyes. It’s especially good for tough laundry jobs like workout clothes, cloth diapers, and towels.
While the performance is excellent, the powder format can be a little messy. Still, for those who don’t mind scooping, it’s a strong contender.
- Fragrance-free option
- Great for sensitive skin
⚠️ Comes in plastic packaging
⚠️ Powder can spill easily
3. Seventh Generation Free & Clear
Seventh Generation is widely available and well-known in the clean product space. The Free & Clear formula is fragrance-free and labeled hypoallergenic, but it still contains SLS and certain preservatives (like methylisothiazolinone) that can cause reactions in sensitive users.
It’s better than most traditional options, but dermatologists still raise caution due to a few ingredients of concern.
- Accessible and effective
⚠️ Includes known skin irritants (SLS, MI)
⚠️ Packaged in plastic
4. All Free & Clear
A familiar name, All Free & Clear is often recommended by pediatricians for infants. However, it’s not fully free from irritating or harmful ingredients. It still contains parabens, optical brighteners, and C12-15 Pareth-9, which can leave trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane behind.
It’s widely trusted but not the cleanest choice available.
- Strong cleaning performance
⚠️ Still contains questionable ingredients
⚠️ Packaged in heavy plastic jugs
5. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
This is a go-to brand for people who love strong, natural-inspired scents. However, the formula includes MIT/BIT preservatives, which can be harsh on very sensitive skin. Dermatologists tend to prefer options without these additives.
- Great-smelling essential oil blends
⚠️ Can cause irritation for sensitive users
⚠️ Includes some synthetic preservatives
Final Recommendation: Choose Truly Free for Truly Clean Laundry
If you’re looking for a dermatologist-backed, non-toxic detergent that cleans effectively without compromising your skin—or the planet—Truly Free is the clear winner.
It’s fragrance-optional, ultra-gentle, and plastic-free—all while delivering powerful stain-fighting performance. Whether you suffer from allergies, eczema, or just want peace of mind, this detergent is the one we’d recommend every time.
- 300 Free Loads
- Free Refillable Jug
- Free Laundry Machine Cleaner
- Free Shipping USA
