What Your Laundry Detergent Is Doing to Your Skin — And What to Use Instead

When we think about skincare, we often focus on what we apply directly to the skin.

But there’s another, often overlooked factor:
what your skin is in contact with throughout the day.

Clothing, bedding, towels — all of these sit against the skin for hours, carrying traces of the products they’ve been washed in.

And for many, this can quietly influence skin health more than we realise.

Why Laundry Detergent Matters for Skin

Most conventional laundry detergents are designed for performance — not for skin compatibility.

They often filled with:

• synthetic fragrances
• phthalates (commonly used within fragrance to help scent last longer on fabrics)
• harsh surfactants
• preservatives and optical brighteners

While effective at cleaning, these ingredients can leave behind residues on fabric.

Over time, this may:

• disrupt the skin barrier
• contribute to dryness or irritation
• aggravate sensitive or reactive skin

For those already caring for their skin through high-quality, natural products and a mindful lifestyle, there can sometimes be a small disconnect.

You may be nurturing your skin in one area, while other everyday factors are simply less supportive.

The Skin Barrier: A Delicate Balance

Healthy skin relies on a strong, intact barrier.

This barrier:

• retains moisture
• protects against irritation
• supports overall skin function

Repeated exposure to irritants — even in small amounts — can gradually weaken this balance.

And unlike skincare, which is applied once or twice daily, fabric contact is continuous.

A Simple Alternative: DIY Laundry Powder

For those looking for a gentler, more skin-supportive option, our DIY laundry powder is a simple place to begin.

Free from:

• sulfates
• parabens
• synthetic fragrance
• PFAS
• phthalates
• synthetic dyes
• phosphates

Simple recipe

• 3.5 dl (1½ cups) sodium carbonate (natriumkarbonat)
• 3.5 dl (1½ cups) sodium bicarbonate (bikarbonat)
• 1.25 dl (½ cup) sodium percarbonate (natriumperkarbonat)
• 1.5 dl (⅔ cup) sodium cocoyl isethionate
• 20–40 drops essential oil (optional — lavender works beautifully)

Mix and store in an airtight container.

Use 1–2 tablespoons per wash.

Where to find the ingredients (in Sweden)

Skin health is shaped by more than a routine.
It’s influenced by the environment we create around ourselves — the products we use each day, and the small choices that quietly add up over time.

At Imogen, this sits at the heart of our philosophy:
simple, considered choices that support the skin and overall health — both directly and indirectly.

It’s not about getting everything right, all the time. That’s neither realistic nor necessary.
But small shifts — choosing fewer, gentler ingredients where we can — can make a meaningful difference.

This way of thinking extends beyond skincare, into the everyday essentials we often overlook — like laundry care.

Because caring for your skin isn’t just something you apply.
It’s something you live, in small, imperfect, everyday ways.