Our best overall pick is Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, which has a clean scent and nourishing formula that doesn’t contain any chemicals that might harm your skin. Ahead, find the best hand soaps to add to your kitchen or bathroom. This gentle soap earns rave reviews for its clean scent and nourishing formula. It’s made from 98% naturally derived ingredients and doesn’t contain any chemicals that might harm the skin. With hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and olive oil, the non-drying formula will keep hands soft. Despite being gentle on skin, this soap is tough on dirt, grease, and grime. The formula is biodegradable, which means it’s safe to use in homes with greywater or septic systems. This hand soap comes in a nice selection of scents—all of which are light and refreshing without being overpowering. You can choose from lemon verbena, honeysuckle, or lavender. To save money and reduce waste, consider purchasing a 33-ounce refill jug of your favorite fragrance. It’s a little bit on the pricier side when compared to other hand soaps on the market, but we think it’s worth the investment for something you use every day. Price at time of publish: $15 SoftSoap’s wide pump is easy to press and it dispenses a generous amount of soap. However, children might find themselves with more soap than they need. Here’s a trick to reduce the amount that’s dispensed: try placing a rubber band around the neck of the pump. Price at time of publish: $2 The soap contains finely milled pumice that gently exfoliates skin as you scrub. It also contains hydrating ingredients and leaves hands feeling soft and smooth. Between the aroma and exfoliating grains, washing your hands becomes a spa-like experience. The 16.9-ounce jar features a pump dispenser and a classic design that’s reminiscent of an antique apothecary bottle. Since it contains an exfoliant, some customers have reported that it’s not great for those with sensitive skin. Price at time of publish: $40 Everyone Hand Soap is available in several subtle scents. You can choose from unique blends like lavender and coconut or lemon and mandarin. It’s also available in multiple sizes—a 12.75-ounce pack of three or six, as well as a gallon refill jug. Price at time of publish: $18 Handcrafted by artisans in France and free from impurities, it’s no surprise that Pre de Provence is one of our pricier picks. Rest assured you will get your money’s worth. Thanks to the meticulous production process, each bar lasts a long time—right down to the last sliver. To top it all off, this bar soap comes in an impressive selection of scents—nearly 36—from green tea to juicy pomegranate, sweet lemon, and verbena. While most reviewers were thrilled with this product, some questioned the authenticity, so be sure to always buy from an authorized retailer. Price at time of publish: $8 In addition to being environmentally friendly, this hand soap leaves hands feeling clean and soft. It’s available in a host of light and refreshing scents including sea minerals, coconut water, and pink grapefruit. In addition to their standard 12-ounce dispenser, Method offers refill pouches that use 85% less plastic when compared to three new bottles. Price at time of publish: $28 Free of harsh cleaning agents and blended with Vitamin E, aloe, and essential oils, the moisture-rich formula will noticeably soften skin. Cleancult Liquid Hand Soap comes in four soothing scents, and the blue sage and lavender are formulated specifically for oily/sensitive skin. A refillable glass soap dispenser can be purchased separately or as part of a bundle. Price at time of publish: $17 At $68 for a 15.2-ounce bottle, Byredo is much more expensive than other hand soaps (even our top pick for Best Splurge). If it is too costly to incorporate into your daily routine, you could always reserve it for special occasions. The minimalist, stylish dispenser would make a nice addition to a guest bathroom vanity. Price at time of publish: $68 This versatile soap isn’t limited to eczema-prone hands, it can be used all over the body. Since it is fragrance-free, it’s also a good choice for anyone who suffers from migraines or allergies. Free & Clear comes in an 8-ounce pump dispenser. To save money and minimize waste, consider purchasing a 32-ounce refill bottle for future use. Price at time of publish: $9 Soapbox offers a host of other scents and each formula has distinct benefits. The Meyer Lemon & Tea Leaves formula is a natural astringent, while Lavender & Marshmallow Root has a calming, therapeutic effect. For those looking to improve the elasticity of their skin, the Citrus & Peach Rose formula is a great choice. Price at time of publish: $17
Ingredients
Although we still don’t have enough information about many of the synthetic ingredients found in our beauty and home products, there are a few that likely do more harm than good. A good rule of thumb is to look for phrases that claim that the soap is free of triclosan, parabens, or phthalates. Generally, plant-based products with transparent ingredient lists are the safest options.
Effectiveness
Most soaps work well in terms of cleansing your hands of dirt and harmful germs. However, some soaps with harsher formulas can actually break down your skin’s moisture barrier, which is why frequent hand-washing can result in dry skin. For that reason, we define effective soap as being gentle enough that it won’t break the moisture barrier. If you tend to get dry skin, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, and aloe vera.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer for The Spruce. For this roundup, Sage considered dozens of hand soaps, carefully evaluating each product’s effectiveness, texture, price point, and scent. To find the best hand soaps on the market, she consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites. For expert insight on hand soaps, she spoke to Carla Burns, senior director of cosmetic science at the Environmental Working Group.
