Sensitive Skin in Hong Kong: Why Naturally Derived Laundry Sheets Are a Game-Changer for Children, those with Sensitive Skin and everyone else.
If you or someone in your household struggles with sensitive skin, you know how frustrating it can be to pinpoint the cause of irritation. Surprisingly, one of the biggest culprits might be hiding in your laundry room: traditional laundry detergents. Packed with synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and harsh surfactants, these detergents can leave behind residues that trigger itching, redness, and discomfort.
Hong Kong Laundry Detergents - 3 Startling facts!
In case you are one of those people that only reads the start of an article, here are a couple of data points for your consideration;
- Top laundry detergent brands in Hong Kong do not list their ingredients on their packaging. [Check for yourself!] …Red flag?
- This is because there are no specific testing requirements in Hong Kong for laundry detergents, …Red flag?
- Hong Kong Government’s Consumer Council recently ran a study that found 12/12 samples of top Hong Kong laundry detergent contained allergens. Red flag!
And here we have our starting point. Our bed sheets, our eye masks, our clothing and our towels that we rub against our skin every day – are packed with residue from chemicals that we cannot identify but know they contain allergens.
Take a look at your own laundry detergent - if you’re not already using nature calls - to try and find the ingredients (they are not there!) or you can read the findings of the Hong Kong Government consumer council.*
Why do regular laundry detergents cause skin irritation?
Sensitive skin reacts more easily to irritants, and the residues left by conventional detergents can linger in fabric fibers, coming into direct contact with your skin all day. Common irritants include:
- Artificial fragrances and dyes
- Preservatives and optical brighteners
- Perfumes (see our article on the ‘perfume loophole’)
These ingredients can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness, rashes, or even eczema flare-ups.
How can natural derived laundry detergents help?
It will not cure your eczema, or remove your allergies – but it is a start. This is how Nature Calls laundry sheets can help:
1.Hypoallergenic Formulas
Naturally derived sheets that are free from harsh chemicals and allergens. They’re designed to be gentle, making them ideal for babies, people with eczema, or anyone prone to skin reactions.
2. No Residue, No Irritation
These sheets dissolve completely in water, leaving no residue on clothes. That means less risk of skin contact with irritants.
3. Fragrance-Free
Fragrance free instead of synthetic perfumes reduces the risk of allergic reactions - see our blog post on the 'perfume loophole' and note that the 12/12 samples tested by the Hong Kong government that contained allergens…these were all in the fragrance!
4. Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable
Not only are they better for your skin, but they’re also better for the planet. Most naturally derived sheets come in plastic-free packaging and break down easily in the environment.
Somehow still not convinced by Nature Calls – well here are some tips for your next shopping trip;
When shopping for laundry sheets for sensitive skin, check for:
- Free from parabens, phosphates, and dyes
- Transparent ingredient list
- 'Perfume,' is not a standalone ingredient and could contain many harmful chemicals
A Final Thoughts
Making the switch to naturally derived laundry sheets is a win for your and your family's skin and a step toward a cleaner, greener lifestyle. Whether you're managing a skin condition, have kids or simply want a gentler option to the ingredient-less detergents currently in circulation, these sheets offer an effective alternative that doesn’t compromise on cleanliness.
No Nasties, Just Nature.
* https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3286807/hong-kong-watchdog-finds-fragrance-allergens-12-laundry-scent-boosters