We chose the Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent as the best liquid soap for sensitive skin because it’s simple, effective and available at nearly all grocery stores and supermarkets. It doesn’t contain the dyes or fragrances of traditional Tide and the formula is hypoallergenic.

However, we still find it a little difficult to read the measurements on the inside of the lid, and the container can get messy after frequent use. It’s also on the pricier end of most grocery store detergents.

Most people don’t use powdered laundry detergent anymore, but it can be a great alternative to liquid if you have sensitive skin. That’s because powdered soaps don’t need the same preservatives as liquid ones, so they may be less likely to irritate your skin. The EnviroKlenz Unscented Powder Detergent is a great pick because it’s hypoallergenic, non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

The downsides: We noticed that it wasn’t the best at removing odors, particularly from previous laundry detergents. This powder is also expensive and not available at many brick-and-mortar stores.

We have to warn you: Molly’s Suds will come up again and again in our recommendations because their soaps effectively wash clothes without causing skin irritation! We love the Super Powder Laundry Detergent as it performs well but doesn’t contain common irritants such as dyes, formaldehyde, phosphates or optical brighteners. It does include naturally-derived scents, but we’ve found that these didn’t cause redness or itching.

Of course, some buyers may still experience sensitivities to any scents. (If this is your case, we recommend the unscented version of this product.) This detergent also isn’t available at many stores, and a few customers find the ocean mist scent off-putting.

Laundry sheets have quickly become our favorite form of detergent because they’re lightweight, non-messy and easy to pack into a travel bag. We love the ECOS Vegan Laundry Sheets in particular because they target tough stains and eliminate odors without toxic ingredients.

However, a few customers argue that these sheets aren’t as effective as liquid detergent. (Note that it’s important to bury the sheets in the clothing so they don’t stick to the walls of the washer.) Others have experienced shipping difficulties when purchasing from Amazon.

Looking for a more affordable alternative to the ECOS laundry sheets? Consider CLEARALIF. This brand charges just seven cents per load (ECOS charges 19 cents per load) and offers 11 different scents. We like that the packaging is eco friendly and that the formula for each scent is hypoallergenic.

Still, certain scents may trigger irritation in some buyers. Some customers also disliked that the scent from the sheets fades quickly and that the soap doesn’t make a lot of suds (though this doesn’t necessarily mean the clothes aren’t getting clean).

Looking for a gentle, non-toxic detergent pod? Try the Seventh Generation Free & Clear Packs. Each one contains enzyme-rich soap to target tough smells and stains without fragrance, dyes or artificial brighteners.

While the pods dissolve quickly most of the time, they occasionally don’t break down depending on how much water touches them during the wash cycle. A few buyers note that they didn’t perform as well as liquid detergent pods.

If you need a simple alternative to the classic Tide Pod, look no further than the Free & Gentle Tide Pods. They contain the same formula as the Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent, though they are arguably easier to use and less messy. We like that these pods are dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic.

However, a few customers note that they need three pods per load to effectively wash their clothes. Others note that they don’t always dissolve during the wash and leave residue in the machine.

Traditional laundry detergents come in giant bottles that are difficult to maneuver and get messy after a few tries. We like that Swash Laundry Detergent comes in a manageable bottle, and the formula is highly concentrated to reduce waste. The product contains simple ingredients and no perfumes or dyes, making it a good pick for sensitive skin.

The downsides? A few customers have experienced leaking issues when they order online. This product is also expensive and not available at most grocery stores.

Hoping to get more bang for your buck? Try the Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Detergent. It contains baking soda to help you achieve a deep clean, and the formula is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic.

However, the extra large bottle can be unwieldy and messy, and some customers have experienced leaking issues when buying online (we recommend buying in a store to avoid this).

If most soaps make you or your children itchy, the All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent is the one we’d recommend. It contains zero dyes or perfumes (including masking fragrance) and the formula is hypoallergenic. Dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians all highly recommend this product for sensitive skin.

However, the large bottle can be difficult to manage and the cap often gets messy. As with other large liquid laundry detergents, this bottle is prone to leaking when buying online (though sellers try their best to reduce leaks).

If you struggle with eczema, detergent powder or sheets could help ease your symptoms because they need fewer preservatives to extend their shelf life. The Molly’s Suds Detergent Sheets in particular are a great option for eczema as they contain no dioxane, optical brighteners, ethoxylates or dyes. We also like that the sheets are perforated so you can rip off a smaller piece for smaller loads.

However, these detergent sheets are more expensive per load (20 cents each) than many liquid detergents. They don’t seem to be more or less effective than liquid soap, either, and they aren’t available in many brick-and-mortar stores.

Need a gentle detergent for sensitive baby skin? Try Molly’s Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Power. It’s designed to remove formula, poop and spit-up stains and it comes in eight gentle scents, including unscented. As with all Molly’s Suds products, this powder contains no common irritants.

The downsides: This detergent powder is expensive at 20 cents per load, and doesn’t seem to be more or less effective than traditional liquid soap. Most in-person stores don’t carry Molly’s Suds.

Unfortunately, detergents with blue dye are often the best at removing stains because they contain fabric brighteners. However, the Persil Pro Clean Free & Sensitive Detergent is a good alternative even though it doesn’t contain brighteners or dye. Enzymes and deep cleaners target tough stains without harming fabric.

However, this product still contains propylene glycol and sodium borate, which may cause irritation in extremely sensitive skin. Product delivery can take quite some time if ordering online, and we think the cap design could be improved.

Sensitive skin detergents aren’t ideal for odors because they can’t mask existing smells. However, the Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent targets unwanted scents with phytolase, an enzyme cleaning technology. This product is also environmentally friendly and uses natural scents (no EU listed fragrance allergens).

The downsides: This is one of our most expensive recommendations at 33 cents per load. It isn’t available at most in-person stores, and the packaging isn’t 100% plastic free despite product marketing that indicates otherwise.

Hoping to find a detergent geared toward sensitive skin that still smells good? Try the Molly’s Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent in Citrus Grove. (This is our last Molly’s Suds recommendation — we promise!) The soap leaves a subtle yet refreshing scent on clothes without causing skin irritation.

What could be improved: A few customers wish the scent lasted longer. This detergent is also pricey at 22 cents per load and not available at most brick-and-mortar stores.