Pamper Your Skin and Your Guests With These 18 Hand Soaps (2024)

Our Top Picks

Size: 8.5 oz | Ingredients: Amino acids, glycerin, eucalyptus extract | Scent: Green and fresh scent | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Regarding our top hand soap pick, the award goes to Malin + Goetz. This is the ultimate soap for a few reasons—the number one formula. It’s multipurpose, it smells amazing, and it works for all skin types. We also love that they offer a refillable option to cut down on unnecessary plastic. It is hydrating and non-stripping, which makes it a great everyday go-to hand wash, no matter how many times you want to lather up.

Size: 8.5 oz | Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter | Scent: Bergamot, vanilla, and amber | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This wash from Dedcool has everything you could ever want in a hand soap. It's gentle and creates a creamy lather, cleanses without stripping moisture, and has a luxurious scent that includes top notes of bergamot and bottom notes of warm vanilla and amber. It isn't too strong—but lingers after you're done washing your hands, which we love. It also comes in two other scents as well. Oh, and did we mention that it doubles as an everyday body wash?

Size: 10 oz | Ingredients: Essential oils | Scent: Lavender | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This hand soap is a great reminder that an item can be affordable and have great ingredients. Made with high-quality, organic oils, this soap gently cleans without stripping the skin. It’s hard to believe that this gentle but effective formula is under $10. There may be cheaper options on the market, but weighing in at 10 fluid ounces, this container is bound to last a while. Not to mention, it’s formulated with coconut oil and jojoba oil that won’t dry your hands out every time you lather. If we could change one thing, we would make the dispenser easier to maneuver.

Size: 12.5 oz | Ingredients: Olive oil, aloe vera, and essential oils | Scent: Basil, acorn spice, apple, apple cider | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You're in for a treat if you're not already on Mrs. Meyer's hand soap train. Aside from being readily available at most drugstores and grocery stores, this product also has a clean formula with so many delightful scents that we've lost count. Pro tip: check out the holiday scents—the orange clove is particularly delicious. Beyond that, the formula is infused with moisturizing olive oil and aloe vera to keep hands soft. Its cute retro packaging, affordable price tag, and complementary cleaning products add to its appeal. If you have particularly dry skin, though, it may not be the best choice for you.

Size: 16.9 oz | Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf, and sugarcane | Scent: Hinoki, sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf, sugarcane | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Warning: the price may cause some sticker shock, but each time you take a whiff of this delectable scent, you’ll be transported to the Buddhist temples of Mount Koya in Japan, which carry the unmistakable smell of the nearby hinoki trees. Hinted with notes of sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf, and sugarcane, the jumbo-sized bottle became our instant favorite. Sensitive skin types will appreciate that it's free of parabens, phthalates, and artificial colorants. Also nice: It has a super smooth lather and a thick, luxurious texture.

Size: 16.9 oz | Ingredients: Mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar atlas | Scent: Citrus, woody, and herbaceous | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cleansing gel leaves hands fresh and clean, though never stripped of moisture due to its addition of orange, rosemary, and lavender essential oils. Truth be told, we can’t get enough of the citrusy, woodsy, herbaceous scent—it's a serious crowd-pleaser. Bonus points for the ultrachic, jumbo-sized bottle that seems to last forever. It’s a top pick of Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. “I love how silky this makes skin feel after use, thanks to the infusion of essential oils within its formula,” she explains. “It effectively cleanses without drying out the hands.” The only potential downside to this one is it's not super sudsy. While that doesn't bother us, if you prefer a lot of bubbles, you'll want to go with a different soap.

Size: 11.25 oz | Ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride | Scent: White tea and berry, fresh hands/zesty lemon, fresh citrus, crisp clean, sparkling pear, cool splash | Cruelty-Free: No

While you don't need to use antibacterial soap to rid your hands of germs, it's a great option if you're working in a more squeaky, clean-conscious environment (think a school or a doctor's office). Aside from its pleasant scents, this antibacterial soap from Softsoap is affordable and easy to use. “It’s an inexpensive option clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria while still smelling great,” explains Dr. Graf. We also love that the bottle is refillable, so you don’t need to worry about repurchasing a new bottle every time you run out.

Size: 10.1 oz | Ingredients: Shea butter, oat milk | Scent: Shea classic | Cruelty-Free: No

If you like to wash your hands often or live in a dry climate, you've probably noticed how quickly they can dry out. Yes, you can moisturize afterward, but why add another step to a simple process when using a soap that cleanses and moisturizes all at once? The formula from French brand L'Occitane is loaded with fatty acids to help replenish moisture, along with 5% shea milk and oat milk to soothe and protect the skin long after you wash your hands. Each pump will feel like lotion, leaving your hands feeling soft, hydrated, and ready to take on the day, which will likely include more hand washing.

Size: 12 oz | Ingredients: Glycerin, ground olive stones, citric acid | Scent: Floral and woody notes | Cruelty-Free: No

Housed in sleek glass packaging, this Diptyque hand soap will make a statement in your bathroom for years to come (you can keep the bottle forever thanks to the refillable design). It’ll also keep your hands super soft all year, thanks to a formula filled with exfoliating—but not drying—ingredients. “This hand wash exfoliates to rid the skin of dead skin cells using ground olive stones,” explains Dr. Graf. The only thing we don't love is that the pump can occasionally get stuck.

Size: 12.5 oz | Ingredients: Shea butter, olive oil, aloe juice, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil | Scent: Peppermint | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s nothing quite like lathering up with a luxurious foamy hand soap. Developed by environmental activist Dr. Priscilla Johnson, this gentle foaming formula rinses away germs without adding harmful chemicals to our waterways. Filled with a mixture of essential oils including peppermint and rosemary, the formula will keep your skin ultra-clean while adding in a bit of aromatherapy too. We think the cute, simple packaging makes it ideal for any bathroom space. While it’s only available in packs of four, it's a great option for those who like to stock up on house supplies.

Size: 15.2 oz | Ingredients: Citric acid, glycerin | Scent: Bergamot and pear | Cruelty-Free: No

Sure, you could save this pricey soap for days when you need a bit of self-care, but in the spirit of treating yourself, we say snag a bottle for everyday enjoyment. Like the brand’s iconic perfumes, Byredo hand washes up the ante with lovely, complex aromas. Choose between Suede and Tulipmania, which add a floral and fruity scent, Rose, a mix of musk and pink pepper, or the earthy yet sweet Vetyver. Luckily, all smell delicious, so you can’t go wrong with whatever you decide. Considering the price, we wish the soap came in a nicer bottle.

Size: 18 oz | Ingredients: Shea butter, virgin coconut oil, neem leaf | Scent: Unscented, lemon verbena, peppermint tingle, lavender spice, lavender, vanilla passion, honeysuckle, mandarin mango, vanilla mint, eucalyptus mint | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You use gentle products on your face, so why not your hands? This soap is a mixture of three natural ingredients—shea butter, virgin coconut oil, and neem leaf—which eliminates any worries about dealing with skin irritation or dry, red patches due to unknown ingredients. We especially like that there are unscented varieties of this soap, and the formula is free of any sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones for an added layer of protection. The texture is a bit thin, but the moisturizing effects of shea and coconut oil will leave your hands feeling luxurious. Plus you get 18 ounces of product, which is a lot of soap for the price.

Size: 12 oz | Ingredients: Oat, calendula, and primrose | Scent: Turmeric and citron, monoi and sandalwood, rosewater, rosemary and rosewood, oud | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’d be remiss not to mention this hand soap from J.R. Watkins. It has some of the most unique scent combinations we've tried (for example, bergamot, neroli, fig fruit, and cardamom), and its formula is made with only natural ingredients. Those ingredients, such as calendula and turmeric, soothe and revitalize the skin. It has a great price tag for the large bottle size, too. Plus, it’s cruelty, paraben-, silicone-, and sulfate-free. The dispenser can get stuck sometimes, so just keep an eye on it to avoid product buildup.

Size: 3.5 oz | Ingredients: Shea butter, jojoba seed oil, kukui seed oil, and honey | Scent: Honey and orange blossom, fresh air, honeyed grapefruit, vanilla absolute, ylang ylang and tuberose, fig leaf, lavender | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bars soaps aren’t as common as liquid hand soaps these days, but don’t overlook them. Outside of the packaging benefits (no excess plastic here!), bars typically rely on fewer chemicals than liquid options. This bar, in particular, is gentle enough to cleanse your body but also strong enough to take to your hands. Made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba seed oil, it will keep your hands nice and hydrated, too. We aren't made at the invigorating citrus notes, either, although it may be too much for sensitive-skinned (and nosed) folks.

Size: 12 oz | Ingredients: Essential oils | Scent: Fresh grapefruit and juicy mandarin | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Public Goods makes simple, sustainable home products at a reasonable price, and their hand soap is no different. Loaded with essential oils, including orange, geranium, cinnamon, mandarin, nutmeg, petitgrain, rosewood, celery seed, grapefruit, and vetiver, this creamy soap lathers well and won't dry out the hands. It'll also leave them smelling incredible and super hydrated with surfactants derived from coconut oil. Beyond that, every item from Public Goods is made from post-consumer recycled materials. Best of all? It’s under $10, so you can slather it guilt-free.

Size: 16 oz | Ingredients: Avocado, rosehip, and jojoba oil blend | Scent: Citrus fruits, apricot, rose, magnolia, amber, linden blossom, musk | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you often find yourself dealing with cracked skin on your hands, this Ouai Hand Wash might just be the solution. We like this formula because it gently exfoliates to remove those dead skin cells while moisturizing, so you’re not left with zero protection. As with all Ouai products, you can probably guess this one also smells amazing. The citrus fruit scent is balanced with notes of rose and magnolia, so your hands will look good, feel good, and even smell good after each wash.

Size: 3.3 oz | Ingredients: Water, potassium cocoate, glycerin, sodium cocoate | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Anyone who has ever experienced the heart-stopping sensation of catching a ring or bracelet just before it slips down the drain can now sigh relief. The Shinery Radiance Wash allows you to clean jewelry while you’re still wearing it in the form of a hand wash. This gentle formula polishes silver, gold, and fine diamond jewelry while still making sure your hands get clean as well. We love a multipurpose product! Be patient to get the lather going and ensure your hands and jewels get nice and clean.

Size: 13.1 oz | Ingredients: Kale, spinach, green tea, alfalfa, vitamins C and E | Scent: Cedarwood, black pepper and fresh greens | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You may be familiar with Youth to the People’s skincare products, but let us be the ones to put their Antioxidant Hand Wash on your radar. This soap removes impurities and grime without stripping your skin, which is always a win in our book. We also love the refreshing fragrance—with notes of cedarwood, black pepper, and fresh greens. This soap would be equally at home, in a bathroom sink, or the kitchen sink. For skin that looks hydrated and healthy and feels silky smooth, hit “add to cart” and thank us later.

FAQ

• How do you use hand soaps?

  Make sure you wet your hands with lukewarm water, advises Dr. Graf. She recommends placing a nickel-sized amount of soap on the palm of your hand and rubbing it all over the surface of your hand for 60 seconds. ”Dry your hands with a clean, preferably disposable towel to avoid bacteria drying onto your hands.”

• Does hand soap dry out your hands?

  Yes, hand soap can dry the skin, “It is important to use hand lotion or cream immediately after washing your hands to avoid drying the skin,” says Dr. Graf. She recommends applying the lotion to the back of your hands first and then rubbing them together to prevent cracked, dry skin, which may be more vulnerable to infection. If you have particularly dry hands, you might want to use a hydrating formula.