By Katie Berohn
last updated
in Buying Guides
When it comes to essential products, hand soap probably tops the list. While we've all likely become intimately familiar with hand soap in the past few years, it has always been—and will always be—one of the universal staples in everyone's routine.
Though there's nothing wrong with snagging the first hand soap you see at the drugstore (clean hands are the most important thing here), some hand soaps are superior to others. Consider how luxe it feels to go to someone's apartment and discover that they have fancy hand soap in their bathroom or how relieving it is to use a hand soap without hand cream after and not feel like your skin is tightening around your knuckles due to dryness. A good hand soap makes a difference.
What to Look For in a Hand Soap
When choosing a hand soap, hydrating ingredients and gentle, effective formulas are key. "It is best to look for a hand soap that gently but effectively removes dirt, germs, and residue without stripping the skin of its natural moisture," says Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist. "It can help to use a product that also contains moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that help to leave the hands soft and smooth—even after washing—work to replenish moisture, and support the skin barrier."
Best Overall Hand Soap: Aesop Resurrection Hand Wash
Aesop
Resurrection Hand Wash
It's a cult favorite for a reason. With a fragrant mix of rosemary, mandarin, and cedar, this hand wash smells amazing without being polarizing, gently exfoliates, and leaves hands feeling squeaky clean but never stripped of moisture.
Pros: Fresh scent, exfoliating formula, refillable bottle
Cons: Pricey
Customer review: "This is amazing. It has a rich, creamy lather. Smells incredible. Does not irritate the sensitive skin on my hands or dry them out."
Best Hand Soap for Eczema: L'Occitane Shea Hands & Body Ultra Rich Wash
L'Occitane
Shea Hands & Body Ultra Rich Wash
This handwash is formulated with5% shea butter, making it super hydrating and non-stripping. It'ssuper gentle and won't irritate skin.
Pros:Non-irritating formula, refillable bottle
Cons:Not very strongly scented
Customer review: "Long a favorite for gently keeping hands moisturized with shea. Your hands deserve special care, and this should do it."
Best-Smelling Hand Soap: Ouai Hand Wash
Ouai
Hand Wash
Not to be weird, but when I use this hand soap, I can't stop smelling my hands. It has citrus, rose, magnolia, and linden blossom notes, and the combination is floral without being powdery. It's also gently exfoliating and makes your hands feel so soft after you use it.
Pros:Floral scent, exfoliating formula, and refillable bottle
Cons:Pricey
Customer review:"I'm not one to spend $30 on hand soap, but now, I am. This is totally worth it. Gently exfoliating, too, which was a nice surprise. Amazing scent where it lingers lightly but not so much that it annoys you."
Best Hand Soap for Dry Skin: Kiehl's Grapefruit Liquid Hand Soap
Kiehl's
Grapefruit Liquid Hand Soap
Formulated with chamomile extract, aloe, and vitamin E, this hand soap is both gentle and hydrating. It also works wonders against dirt and grime. If you use your hands a lot but want to avoid using a soap that dries them out, this one is perfect for you.
Pros:Refillable bottle, non-drying formula
Cons:Some reviewers say the pump is difficult to open
Customer review:"I used Kiehl's grapefruit-scented products years ago, and I just rediscovered their hand soap. I love the way this soap smells, and it doesn't dry out my hands."
Best Liquid Hand Soap: Shinery Radiance Wash
Shinery
Radiance Wash
Yes, this is a hand wash, but it's also a jewelry cleaner. If you wear a lot of rings, this is definitely worth using, as it leaves jewelry sparkly and like new, and it's formulated with glycerin to soften hands.
Pros:Cleans jewelry as well as hands, non-drying formula
Cons:Not very strongly scented
Customer review:"This stuff is amazing! If you're fussy about your jewelry being sparkly clean, this is the stuff. It cleans it like a professional jeweler does."
Best Antibacterial Hand Soap: Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Liquid Hand Wash
Dove
Care & Protect Antibacterial Liquid Hand Wash
Not only does this hand soap work overtime to kill germs, but it's also formulated with Dove'sMoisture Boost 5x Complex to ensure hands stay soft. Plus, at $4, it's tough to beat.
Pros:Antibacterial, cost-effective
Cons:Not very strongly scented
Customer review:"I absolutelylove this hand soap. I wash my hands 1000 times a day. My hands were getting so dry, so I started using the Dove antibacterial hand soap and it has made a huge difference. My hands are super soft and have no more dryness."
Best Hand Soap for Sensitive Skin: Costa Brazil Fragrance-Free Nutrient Rich Hand and Body Cleanser
Costa Brazil
Fragrance-Free Nutrient Rich Hand and Body Cleanser
CostaBrazil manages to make this hand soap incredibly luxe even withoutits signature fragrance, which is quite a feat. It's enriched with vitamins and nutrients to leave hands feeling soft and not dried out at all.
Pros:Nourishing, moisturizing, fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Cons:Pricey
Customer review:"It foams very well. You need just a tiny amount and you're good to go, which tells me it's very high quality."
Best Drugstore Hand Soap: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap
Mrs. Meyer's
Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap
If you're grabbing a hand soap from the drugstore, let it be Mrs. Meyer's. It's gentle, smells good, and lasts a long time.
Pros:Fresh scent, refillable bottle
Cons:Some reviewers note it can be slightly drying
Customer review:"One of my all-time favorites! Doesn't dry my hands like other brands."
Best Hand Soap for the Kitchen: Malin + Goetz Cannabis Hand and Body Wash
Malin + Goetz
Cannabis Hand and Body Wash
This hand soap smells good, lathers easily, and keeps hands nourished. The scent isn't too strong, making it the perfect soap to keep in your kitchen.
Pros:Fresh scent, lathers easily, refillable bottle
Cons:Best paired with moisturizer
Customer review:"Love this scent and love that it only takes a little bit to work up a good lather. One of life's little extravagances."
Best Luxury Hand Soap: Diptyque Softening Hand Wash
Diptyque
Softening Hand Wash
This soap smells so good it's no surprise that itcomes from a luxury fragrance house. Notesoflavender, rosemary floral water, and honey turn this into a truly sensorial experience. Plus, it comes in the most luxe bottle.
Pros:Luxuriously scented, refillable bottle
Cons:Pricey
Customer review:"Have been trying many luxury hand soaps, and this is one of the best. Packaging is on another level with a sturdy glass container, which will look amazing wherever you put it. It's heavy, and the pump dispenser is great. The soap scent is hard to explain but very floral and complex. I can't pick a specific smell. You almost feel like you're in the Diptyque boutique."
Best Hand Soap for the Bathroom: Dedcool Hand + Body Wash in 01 Taunt
Dedcool
Hand + Body Wash in 01 Taunt
This soap looks chic, smells like perfume, and will impress any houseguest whohappens to use your bathroom.
Pros:Intoxicating, perfume-like scent
Cons:Some reviewers note that the pump can get stuck.
Customer review:"Best soap, best smell, will be buying this forever and ever."
Best Bar Hand Soap: Krigler America One 31 Soap
Krigler
America One 31 Soap
Yes, this soap is expensive, but it smells amazing and will last you a really, really long time. This lauded Krigler fragrance is known as the President scent, and it will linger with you even in soap form.
Pros:Long-lasting, pleasant scent
Cons:Pricey
Best Perfume-Like Hand Soap: Nest Moroccan Amber Liquid Soap
Nest
Moroccan Amber Liquid Soap
If you want a luxe hand soap that practically doubles as a perfume, this amber-scented soap is your new best friend.
Pros:Intoxicating, perfume-like scent
Cons:Scent might be too strong for some people
Customer review:"My bathroom smells delicious every time I wash my hands with Moroccan Amber Liquid Soap. A friend recently opened the door and exclaimed, 'Aromatherapy!'"
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Katie Berohn
Associate Beauty Editor
Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
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