Sensitive Skin During Allergy Season? A NYC Speech Therapist Shares Her Favorite Products
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 who are differently-abled also have skin and food sensitivities and allergies. This is something we consider in speech therapy sessions at my holistic practice, Chatty Child.
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, they all accumulate 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!
Holistic Products Recommended by a Speech Therapist in NYC
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 ado, 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
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 – create 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
I absolutely adore California Naturals’ body washes, shampoos, and conditioners for their 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
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 a father with 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 a highly sensitive speech therapist in NYC, while 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.
This certification ensures that the production of these fabrics is 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 do not mean unfashionable!
- Organic cotton
- Organic hemp
- Organic linen
- Lyocell or Tencel
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 has an extremely accessible price point. They have clothing collections for babies, toddlers, and young children.
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!
Lastly, if you are ready to splurge on your little one – and cost is no concern – then meet your new best friend!
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.
I truly hope my personal recommendations in skin care and clothing options for all your highly sensitive kiddos are 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 therapy, occupational therapy, and mindfulness classes can help!
We offer personalized neurodivergent affirming, speech, language, feeding, and occupational 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!
Connect With a Holistic Speech Therapist in NYC
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves the tools and confidence to express themselves effectively. Whether your child is struggling with speech, language, social communication, or executive functioning skills, our team is here to support their growth. Here’s how to get started:
- Contact us or call 347.491.4451 to schedule a free 15-minute conversation.
- Complete a comprehensive evaluation to better understand your child’s communication strengths and challenges.
- Begin speech therapy in NYC tailored to your child’s unique needs and goals.
- Collaborate with our team through ongoing communication and support to encourage progress across settings.
As a trusted speech therapist in NYC, Chatty Child is dedicated to helping children build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and thrive in their daily lives.
Other Holistic Services at Chatty Child
At Chatty Child, we help children strengthen the communication, learning, sensory, and emotional skills that support success in everyday life. Our integrative approach recognizes that a child’s ability to communicate, connect with others, manage emotions, and engage in learning all work together to support healthy development.
- Speech Therapy – Child-centered therapy designed to improve speech, language, social communication, and self-expression across settings.
- InterAct – A play- and story-based program that uses shared storytelling experiences to nurture communication, creativity, and relationship-building.
- Occupational Therapy – Individualized support for sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, daily living tasks, and overall independence.
- hum studios – Compassion-focused programs that encourage mindfulness, emotional resilience, and accessible wellness practices for children and families.
- Teletherapy – Virtual speech and occupational therapy services that make support accessible throughout New York State.
- Tutoring – One-on-one academic assistance focused on literacy, comprehension, writing, and critical thinking development.
- Functional Nutrition – Nutrition-informed strategies that help support attention, regulation, development, and overall wellness.
- Consulting Services – Guidance for parents, caregivers, schools, and professionals to create consistent support across environments.
- Group Programs – Structured peer-based experiences that help children strengthen social communication, emotional awareness, and relationship skills.
Meet Heather Boerner, Speech Therapist in NYC
Heather Boerner, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping children strengthen their communication skills. Her work combines evidence-based therapy with mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
As the founder of Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, Heather provides personalized support to help children build confidence and communicate more effectively. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates self-expression and individuality.
Heather offers in-person services in Tribeca and virtual therapy throughout New York State.
