A Highly Sensitive Speech Therapist’s Beloved Products For Clear & Calm Skin During Allergy Season
You may be wondering why a speech therapist has a list – ahem – an arsenal of tried and tested allergen free products – ranging from laundry detergents, soaps, body washes, fabrics, and textiles!
Many people that are differently-abled also have skin and food sensitivities and allergies.
As more and more harsh chemicals are placed into our environment; into the air we breathe, into the water we drink; into the food we eat; and into the products we put on our skin and bodies – all accuminate slowly over time.
Eventually our systems reach a threshold of toxicity and start to respond with increased sensitivities and allergies. And so my crusade has begun – to source the best, clean and effective products for neurodivergent children and adults -alike!
Here are a few of my tried, tested and true favorites by category!
I highly recommend these natural and trusted companies for several reasons:
- Trusted care in product production
- Use of clean ingredients
- Elimination of common irritants and allergens
And without further adieu – here are some of my most beloved products and brands that I highly recommend to my pediatric patients and also use on my own highly sensitive self!
Natural Laundry Detergent: Indigo Wild’s Zum Laundry Soaps and Body Soaps
https://www.indigowild.com/collections/all
I love ZUM laundry detergent for its fresh scents and extremely clean profile.
It has exactly 5 clean ingredients in the whole bottle!
- coconut oil – for dirt busting suds
- baking soda – for zapping stains, dirt and overall smelliness
- vegetable glycerin – acts as a natural fabric softener
- essential oils – creates a lovely, clean aromatic experience
You can easily make an order from this brand directly from their website or at many local stores in your area.
Zum laundry soaps come in many natural scents like lavender, sea salt and amber – to name a few of the options available to choose from.
Natural Body Washes, Shampoo and Conditioners: California Naturals Body Washes, Shampoo and Conditioner Collections
https://thecalifornianaturals.com/collections/all
I absolutely adore California Naturals’ body washes, shampoos and conditioners for its clean line of products that are free from sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
- This natural body and hair care line is leaping bunny certified – meaning it does not test on animals – ever!
- It is poured and lovingly packaged in the state of California.
- This clean line is free from all the yuckies – like sulfates, parabens and artificial ingredients.
- Hair collections include: classic clean, dream curl, re-gro, and super moisture.
California Naturals was founded by a woman and mother who wanted to create products for a growing market of educated consumers – discovering the benefits of healthy, clean , natural body and hair products for themselves and their children.
Natural Bar Soaps: Sallye Ander
https://sallyeander.com/collections/essential-soap
I discovered Sallye Ander bar soaps when I moved up to Hudson Valley a few years ago.
This natural bar soap company was founded in 1982 in Beacon, New York by father and a desire to heal his son’s sensitive skin issues.
Now the company is “guided by the same unwavering dedication to melding purity of craft, boundless creativity and an ardent desire to help others”.
Sallye Ander is now led by Sallie Austin, the founder’s daughter and steward of the family mission – to combine the joy of the outdoors with the care for sensitive skin.
You can see why I instantly fell in love with this natural and clean brand!
They have an amazing selection of bar soaps for many different skin types – including:
- Almond Goat Milk Soap – for super hydration
- Oatmeal Soap – for soothing relief
- Lavender Moon Soap – for a relaxing and calming wash
- Kaleid-o-Soap – a mixture of their best selling scents
- No bite me Soap – a truly effective natural soap that keeps those summer bugs away
Natural & Trusted Fabrics & Textiles:
As I have navigated my own skin sensitivity journey I have discovered the importance and joy of natural and breathable fabrics!
Here is some helpful guidance – I learned through my own research towards wearing more sustainable, naturally sourced and clean fabrics.
Look for oeko tex standard 100 clothing labels and certification.
This certification is the most widely accepted global standard for consumer textiles. This standard verifies that every thread, button, and component has been tested for over 1,000 harmful substances – and does not contain them.
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100/
This certification ensures that the production of these fabrics were free from over 1,000 commonly used and harsh chemicals.
Many neurodiverse children experience sensory challenges related to the tactile feel of a fabric.
I personally find synthetic fabrics extremely uncomfortable – like crawling out of your skin – uncomfortable.
People with sensitive skin or sensory sensitivities find natural breathable fabrics most comfortable and appealing.
Here are some of my favorite fabrics and textiles to wear and explore my personal style – of course – natural fabrics does not mean unfashionable!
- Organic cotton
- Organic hemp
- Organic linen
- Lyocell or tencell
These skin and eco-friendly fabrics are made with less environmental impact than traditional methods and are biodegradable – contributing to less waste and pollution.
These sustainable and renewable materials require fewer chemicals and less water to produce than typical textiles – which again is a positive and win-win for the planet and global environment – as well as your skin!
Here are some oeko-tex standard 100 clothing labels I recommend and trust for all your highly sensitive kiddos!
Natural Fabrics: Carter’s Children’s Clothing Company
This clothing company uses soft organic cotton and is an extremely accessible price point. They have clothing collections for babies, toddlers and young children.
Quince Clothing Company:
https://www.quince.com/baby-&-kids/toddler-girl.
This super affordable clothing company is oeko-tex standard 100 certified and carries a range of organic cotton clothing for all ages and genders – I absolutely adore both their kid and adult clothing options!
Finn and Emma Clothing Company
This is another affordable clothing company that uses 100 percent organic cotton.
They create the most adorable gender-neutral undyed onesies – for that delicate baby soft skin!
Check them out below!
https://www.finnandemma.com/collections/gender-neutral
Lastly, if you are ready to splurge on your little one – and cost is no concern – then meet your new best friend!
Boden Clothing
This clothing brand has a fashion forward collection for kids – called mini Boden – it’s soft, breathable, cotton – with very cute prints and bright colors.
Check out the latest spring collection below …
I truly hope my personal recommendations in skin care and clothing options for all your highly sensitive kiddos is super helpful!
Next up, in Part II – I will explore my favorite collections of trusted snacks for all your picky eaters – stay tuned!
I would love to hear what some of your favorite clean brands are …
Drop them in the comments below …
Until next time …
Sincerely,
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP
Is your child highly sensitive? Could your child benefit from emotional, sensory or self regulation work?
Chatty Child’s speech & occupational therapy, and mindfulness classes can help!
We offer personalized neurodivergent affirming, speech, language, feeding and occupational therapy therapy, as well as creative mindfulness classes for all ages and abilities.
In person and online options are available for all therapeutic sessions and classes.
Our speech and occupational therapists are here to support all your child’s therapeutic needs.
I invite you to schedule a tour – to discover the support waiting for your child – at Chatty Child.
We are here to help and support your child – grow and learn!
Let’s create excellent communicators, confident voices, calm minds, and limitless possibilities – together!
Begin Children’s Speech and Occupational Therapy for Learning Success:
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves to feel capable, confident at school, at home, and in the community. If your child is struggling here is how to get started:
- Contact us or call 347.491.4451 for a free 15-minute conversation to discuss the classroom challenges your child is facing and how speech therapy can help.
- Schedule a comprehensive evaluation that may include school observations to understand your child’s needs in their actual learning environment.
- Begin individualized therapy sessions with goals focused on the skills that support classroom success—from auditory processing to executive functioning to speaking confidence.
- Collaborate with your child’s therapeutic team through regular communication, team meetings, and shared strategies that create consistency across home and school.
Your child doesn’t need to struggle alone. With the right support, they can build the communication skills and confidence that makes learning joyful, friendships easier, and confidence possible.
Our Approach & Services at Chatty Child in NYC
At Chatty Child, we support children in developing the communication, cognitive, sensory, and social-emotional skills they need to feel confident and capable across home, school, and community settings. Our whole-child approach recognizes that language, learning, relationships, and emotional regulation are deeply interconnected.
Our Services Include:
- Speech Therapy – Individualized, play-based support for language development, speech clarity, social communication, and everyday confidence.
- InterAct – A storytelling and play-centered program that strengthens language, imagination, and connection through shared narrative experiences.
- Mindfulness classes for all ages – support for emotional, sensory and self regulation, curated classes using mindfulness and meditation practices
- Occupational Therapy – Support for sensory processing, motor development, and independence in daily routines and self-care skills.
- Hum Studios – Mindfulness and compassion-based classes that foster emotional awareness, regulation, and accessibility for children of all ages.
- Teletherapy – Flexible virtual speech and occupational therapy services available throughout New York State.
- Tutoring – Personalized academic support focused on reading, writing, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
- Functional Nutrition – Developmental support strategies that use nutrition-informed approaches to support regulation, attention, and overall well-being.
- Consulting – Collaborative guidance for parents, caregivers, and educators to support consistency across home, school, and community environments.
- Group Programs – Small-group sessions that build communication, social interaction, and emotional skills through guided peer engagement.
Meet Heather Boerner, Trusted Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist in NYC
Heather Boerner, MA, CCC-SLP, is a New York-licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience supporting pediatric communication development. Her clinical work integrates evidence-based practice with mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and a neurodiversity-informed lens.
She is the founder of Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, where she provides individualized support to help children strengthen communication, confidence, and functional daily skills. Heather is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book centered on identity and self-expression.
She offers in-person therapy in Tribeca and virtual services across New York State, supporting children in building practical communication skills and greater confidence across everyday settings.
