10 Best Liquid Detergents in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is also a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila.

She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particular order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Opt for a liquid detergent with ingredients that match your needs and preference. 
2. Go fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin and baby clothes to wash. 
3. Look at the ingredients list: the shorter the better.
4. Take note of what chemicals to avoid. 
5. Consider purchasing in bulk to reduce cost and waste. 

For more details, read through our buying guide below.

When buying a liquid detergent, it is vital to inspect its formulation and ingredients to ensure that it will correspond to your washing needs and preferences. Take into consideration which purpose or whose clothes it will be used for to make sure you get a suitable one. It is essential to do this, as some detergents are formulated with chemicals that can remove stains but may be harsh on delicate skin.

If you always struggle washing heavily soiled clothes, you might want to switch to a liquid detergent that contains enzymes. Enzymes are the catalysts for removing stubborn stains on clothes. It uses naturally occurring proteins to lift away deep-seated stains and odor-causing bacteria on fabrics.   

If you want a milder formulation, then go for natural ones that use plant-derived active ingredients such as coconut, palm, or even fruits and vegetables. This type of liquid detergent does not contain harsh chemicals such as bleach or sulfates. Some brands also go for 100% naturally sourced and chemical-free ingredients. 

Since they are free from harmful chemicals, they are better suited for those with sensitive skin. They are also perfect if you want a less invasive alternative for your laundry load. In terms of performance, you won't also have to fret as most of them offer the same if not better cleaning quality. 

Liquid detergent can contain some sort of fragrance, which contributes to our perception of cleanliness in clothes. After all, this is how we determine if a piece of clothing is dirty or not. Fragrances could either be synthetic or natural, and they come in a variety of scents, even ones that smell like perfume!

However, those who have sensitive skin might want to opt for a fragrance-free or even hypoallergenic alternative, as this is more suitable if your skin gets easily irritated. This is also ideal for washing baby garments, as the formulation is free from harmful chemicals that might stick to their clothes and cause irritation.

When it comes to detergents, it is best to choose a formula with a relatively short ingredients list. This usually means that the liquid detergent is made up of only the most essential ingredients required to wash and treat clothes.

A liquid detergent can thoroughly clean clothes with little effort, but it could also be why your clothes get worn out and faded, depending on its ingredients. Another reason why you must pay attention to its content is that it seeps into your clothes, which could very well adhere to your skin.

Watch out for chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS, which is the ingredient that gives a foaming quality to soaps, detergents, and shampoos. It could have a drying effect on the skin and aggravate eczema or psoriasis.

Look out for chlorine bleach, too, as it could cause allergic reactions when it comes in contact with the skin. Formaldehyde, Dioxane, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates are other chemicals you should also steer clear of, as they can pose risks when inhaled or come into contact with the skin.

Doing the laundry is a non-negotiable and necessary chore in one’s household, which is why it is better to purchase liquid detergents in bulk. It appears expensive to buy liquid detergent in a huge amount from the onset, but it is actually more economical in the long run.

It may seem like you are saving money purchasing small amounts of detergent in tingi, but once you add up the cost, you’d be surprised at the amount. You can also consider buying a laundry bottle on your first purchase and then simply get refill packs on the next ones. This way, you can recycle the detergent bottle, which means less waste for the environment and less clutter for your household!

Take a cue from Ariel and follow these simple steps to ensure your laundry day is made much easier. No more dreading laundry days!

The first thing you want to do is to separate your clothes. This means separating the whites from the colored ones. You don't want to insert a white T-shirt only for it to turn up in a different color, right?

Be sure to check the symbols on the tag too. This will guide you as to what sort of setting works best and whether it is machine washable or not. Prep the garments by zipping or buttoning them closed, checking the pockets for any remaining items, and turning them inside out. This prevents them from being worn out too much.

Before starting your wash, see to it that you have addressed any particular stains before turning on the washing machine. This is called pre-treating stains, as sometimes the washing machine can only remove so much of the stains and dirt. 

Add the liquid detergent either by directly pouring it into the machine bowl itself with water or in a detergent drawer, if any. If using a top loader machine, do not pour it directly on top of the clothes as this won't distribute the soap evenly. In terms of dosage, most detergent bottles indicate how much you should use.

Make sure not to use too little as it causes poor cleaning results. Meanwhile, too much can seep into clothes, making them smell horrible. Load the dirty clothes and remember to leave enough room for them to move around in. Do not overfill the machine, as this strains it and your clothing won't be washed properly.

Select your preferred cycle, though it is best to use the shortest time with cold water, as this helps to preserve your clothes and prevent color fading. Some stains also set in hard water. If you want to use any fabric softener, now's the time to add it. 

It is best to unload the clothes after the cycle has ended. You should only keep them in the washer for a maximum of 2 hours. This helps to prevent your clothing from having that musty or kulob smell. After you have gathered your washed clothes, hang them out to dry. And you are done!

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz.

Liquid detergents are not necessarily more gentle on the skin. They are just easier to wash off, and thus, have less chances of soap residues getting left behind and causing a reaction.

Yes, it's a very good idea to "patch test" the detergent. This, however, is not a patch test in the strictest sense.

Patch tests are typically used for diagnosing an allergic contact dermatitis type reaction. However, with laundry detergent use, a more common reaction is irritant contact dermatitis. Just try using the detergent and observe if you immediately develop a reaction. Typically, an irritant contact dermatitis-type reaction will develop soon after.

Looking for other types of laundry detergents? Perhaps you want more baby-safe options? Here are other choices for laundry detergents that can make laba days a breeze! You can also check out our recommendations when it comes to front load washing machines.

Doing the laundry is a necessary part of our daily lives, and choosing the best liquid detergent can help reduce the hassle on your part and make laundry days more manageable. We hope this write-up has given you an idea of which liquid detergent to use for your household. Happy washing!

Author: J. Cuizon

Re-Editor: M. Tuazon

Reviewed by: Dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz

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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.