If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Fun fact: Whether you use a bar or liquid soap, handwashing can prevent one in three diarrhea-related sicknesses and one in five respiratory infections, such as the cold or flu, according to the CDC. So if you needed more convincing to turn on your faucet and wash those hands of yours, there you have it.
We’ve all become CDC-level experts in the fine art of handwashing amidst these pandemic times. And if you’re anything like us, this past year has also brought some pretty cracked, dry hands from over-washing them. That’s why it’s time to rethink your handwashing M.O. and swap that whatever’s-under-the-counter gunk for a germ-fighting hand soap that also smells good and prevents your hands from drying out.
What to Consider
When choosing a hand soap, there are more factors at play than you might realize. Obviously, an everyday soap should be affordable and not irritate your skin. If you prefer scented hand soap, it should smell pretty darn tantalizing and not dry out your hands. But if you’re in the market for a gift or guestroom hand soap, you might want to opt for something that’s a little more upmarket with decorative packaging.
If you have sensitive skin, you’re going to want to look for fragrance-free options or hand soap that’s catered towards the easily irritated set. And for those who prefer to wash up with as-natural-as-possible soap, be sure to scan the label to see if the soap is formulated with organic ingredients.
How We Evaluated
Not all hand soaps are created equal. That’s why we scanned through ingredient lists to avoid icky additives and parabens, smelled our way through more hand soaps than a personal care aisle at the drug store contains, and washed our hands with dozens of hand soaps until we settled on the absolute best. We also took notes on our skin after we lathered to make sure the soaps we’re keeping our hands moisturized and happy.
Eco-friendly packaging, too, matters. So as we considered countless hand soaps, we also kept our eyes on brands that used sustainable packaging and avoided single-use plastic.
- Best Overall: Cleancult Liquid Hand Soap
- Runner-Up: Softsoap Foaming Hand Soap Tablet Starter Kit
- Best for Gifting: LAFCO NEW YORK - Liquid Hand Soap
- Best Set: Spinster Sisters Co. Liquid Soap-3 Scent Variety Pack
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Scents Foaming Hand Soap
- Best Bar: La Chatelaine Handmade Luxury Bar Soap
- Eco-Friendly MVP: Plaine Products Citrus Lavender Hand Wash
- Best Bulk Buy: Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap
- Exfoliator Extraordinaire: Moon Valley Organics Soap Bar, Oatmeal Sage
- Best Non-Drying Formula: J.R. Watkins Lemon Gel Hand Soap
- Ideal for Aromatherapy Aficionados: Detox Mode Impossible Soap
- Best Texture: ZUM Sea Salt Hand Soap
Below, we’ve rounded up the best hand soaps, from beautiful bottles ideal for a hostess gift to budget buys that are great for everyday washing. And since you’re not always by a faucet when you need to disinfect your hands, you should stock up on some hand sanitizer, too!
Since you should be trying to both reduce your use of single-use plastics and keep your hands super clean amidst a global pandemic — this wonderful soap helps you accomplish both.
It’s made with a plant-based formula harnessed from coconuts, is safe for sensitive skin, contains skin-helping vitamin E, and the 32-ounce refills are sustainably sourced, shipped in reduced-waste packaging, and sealed with a plant-based cap.
Grapefruit Basil is our personal fave, but all the scents are pleasing and not too overpowering.
More:Treat Yourself and Planet Earth With anOrganic Body Wash
To get you started on your next chapter of hand-washing, this kit includes an aluminum bottle and two refill tablets. In addition to being eco-friendly, this top-selling brand of liquid hand soap helps you avoid the messy process of refilling hand soap bottles thanks to the fizzy tablets.
It’s made with biodegradable cleaning ingredients and you can buy foaming tablet refills here.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Crafted with essential oils and free of sulfates, any loved one will delight in this hypoallergenic, moisturizing soap that's made in Italy with natural ingredients.
It works as either hand soap or shower gel — and delectable scents run the gamut from Champagne to Fresh Cut Gardenia. Our personal go-to? Sea and Dune for that oceanfront olfactory experience.
This gentle and paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free liquid soap set includes three great scents: Lavender Lemon, Gardener’s Citrus Scrub, and Cedar Sage. The natural skincare company uses ingredients like non-greasy babassu seed oil and sensitive skin-friendly apricot kernel oil in its formulations —and no artificial colors or fragrances.
Throw a bottle in the shower and use it as body soap, too (on the bathing front, our pick is the refreshing citrus scent).
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Best for Sensitive Skin
Earth Mama Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Scents Foaming Hand Soap
This hand soap is marketed towards kids, but as anyone with sensitive skin or an aversion to scents knows, baby products are always a winner for all. This germ-fighting foaming Castille soap works for hand washers of any age with sensitive skin thanks to its lack of synthetic fragrance, preservatives, triclosan, sulfates, mineral oil, vitamin E, or dyes.
As one happy reviewer described this Amazon’s Choice selection: “A company who actually understands [what] unscented means!”
Whether you opt for Lavender, Coconut Milk, Lychee Bilberry, Lemon Verbena scent, or otherwise, hand soap devotees will love this soothing soap made with ethically sourced natural ingredients that’s free of phthalates, SLS (a controversial foaming agent you should avoid),parabens, and more. Handmade in the south of France, you’ll be saying oh là là every time you suds up at the sink.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
What we love most about this handwash is that itssustainable packaging can be returned for freerefills. In addition to getting high marks on the environmentally-friendly front, we also dig this sulfate- and paraben-free hand soap that’s safe for babies and those with sensitive skin, to boot.
Once a go-to for your crunchy friend, there’s a good reason why this pure castile soap brand has catapulted into the mainstream in recent years. The soap maker is dedicated to sourcing the best organic and fair-trade ingredients like sustainable palm oil. Their products are free of synthetic preservatives, detergents, and foaming agents, and arepackaged in recycled plastic.
The 128-fluid-ounce size also makes this an ideal candidate if you buy soap for multiple tasks like laundry, body wash, and shampoo.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
For soft, velvety hands, this organic bar soap made with oats to exfoliate and smooth out rough skin is a winner. Crafted with sustainable palm oil and no artificial ingredients, the brand also uses recycled and recyclable packaging.
It works to protect pollinator habitats and strives to create a pesticide-free future. If you love bar soap but could do without the oats, try the Lavender Calendula version.
We’re a sucker for lemons, and we love the vintage-inspired design on this bottle. If you just can’t deal with buying another fancy ceramic soap dispenser that breaks after a few months, this is the best hand soap for you.
This hand soap is free from triclosan and parabens and has a lovely lemon smell to it with a non-drying formula to prevent skin irritation. There’s also a foaming version if you need to up the fun factor for kids or kids at heart.
Both hand soap formulas are also available in refillable packs, so you have extra hand soap handily stored away as the need arises.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Fruit oils keep your hands moisturized in this skin-softening foaming hand soap with an alluring blend of almond, bergamot, and cedarwood, making each hand-washing pit stop feel like a mini aromatherapy break.
The soap comes in a glass bottle (which we love), and you can buy a 128-ounce recyclable plastic refill bottle for restocking.
Free of harsh chemicals and preservatives, we love the dreamy scents (lavender, patchouli, and lemongrass are our top three) and that this natural hand soap also moisturizes while it gets your hands squeaky clean.
Bonus: The salt in these blends serves as a natural thickener that makes for a supremely silky texture.
Perri O. Blumberg
Perri is a New York City-born and -based writer; she holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Columbia University and is also a culinary school graduate of the plant-based Natural Gourmet Institute, which is now the Natural Gourmet Center at the Institute of Culinary Education. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, Men's Journal, Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Insider.com, Architectural Digest, Southern Living, and more. She's probably seen Dave Matthews Band in your hometown, and she'll never turn down a bloody mary. Learn more at VeganWhenSober.com.
