Our hands come in contact with food, shoes, clothes, unwashed dishes, furniture, and so many other surfaces which are breeding grounds of pathogens. Cleaning hands regularly with soap will keep you protected from all those micro-monsters. So, in this article, we bring you the 12 best hand soaps. Check them out below!

How To Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands involves the following steps:  Let’s now get to know what the best hand soaps on the market are. Note: Do a patch test before using these hands soaps on your skin. Avoid any contact with the eyes.

12 Best Hand Soaps

1. Best Overall: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap cleans your hands without leaving them feeling dry. It has a sweet and fresh honeysuckle scent. It is made with essential oils, olive oil, aloe vera, and other carefully selected ingredients that soften the hands. This liquid hand soap is made without parabens, phthalates, animal-derived ingredients, or artificial colors. It is not tested on animals. Check out the review of this product for more information. Ingredients Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Glycerin Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Fragrance, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate. Pros

Good smell Doesn’t dry hands Keeps the hands soft and smooth

Cons

The pump doesn’t press down smoothly. Doesn’t lather immediately.

2. Best Antibacterial: Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap

The Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap kills 99.9% of germs on your hands. Along with cleansing your hands, it also leaves them moisturized. Once you pump the soap into your hands, lather it for at least 15-20 seconds before you wash it off. It lathers easily and has a mild fragrance. It is made with ingredients with strong antibacterial properties that are tough on germs and gentle on the skin. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube. Ingredients

Active Ingredient: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.13% Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Lauramidopropylamine Oxide, Glycerin, Lauramine Oxide, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Sulfate, Myristamidopropylamine Oxide, Parfum (Fragrance), Dimethyl Lauramine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Alcohol, Dimethyl Myristamine, CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 14700 (Red 4).

Pros

Doctor-recommended Moisturizes the skin Doesn’t dry the skin

Cons

Packaging issues The pump might be a little tough. The smell doesn’t suit everyone.

3. Via Mercato Liquid Soap

The Via Mercato liquid soap comes in a well-crafted bottle with a hand pump for convenience. This fragrant soap removes dirt from your hands, leaving them soft, fresh, and hydrated. It is enriched with skin-loving ingredients, like shea butter and glycerin. It doesn’t have artificial fragrances and comes in nine different fragrances. You can also choose the Via Mercato Bar Soap that has moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter, Italian olive oil, and coconut oil that keep your hands soft. Ingredients

1 – Bergamot, Patchouli, & Rosewood 2 – Green Tea & White Musk 3 – Pepe Rosa, Lavender, & Vanilla Bean 4 – Violets, Magnolia, & Amber 5 – Waterlily & Sandalwood 6 – Fig, Orange Blossom, & Cedarwood 7 – Peach, Fig Blossom, & Rose 8 – Clove, Vanilla Flower, & Orange 9 – Grape, Black Currant, & Musk

Pros

Lathers well Moisturizes the skin

Cons

The fragrance may be overpowering for a few people. May not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

4. Best Medicated: Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap

The Provon Antimicrobial Lotion soap is a medicated hand cleanser that combines broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with conditioning properties to clean your hands and keep them soft. It also kills any bad odor on your hands. It is made completely with natural ingredients. The ingredients are French triple-milled, which removes excess water from the soap and makes it long-lasting. This liquid soap has a pH of 7.2, so it doesn’t strip your skin of its natural protective barrier. You can use it for your face and body as well. It suits all skin types. It does not use parabens or sulfates and is also not tested on animals. Here’s an honest review of the product. Ingredients

Active Ingredient: 0.3% chloroxylenol (PCMX) Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Coconut Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Sulfate, Ethanolamine, Cocamide MEA, CocoBetaine, Propylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Fragrance (Parfum).

Pros

Works well for new piercings Good disinfectant soap Clean well

Cons

Packaging issues The smell might not suit everyone. The bottle may leak.

5. Thymes Frasier Fir Hand Wash

The Thymes Frasier Fir Hand Wash combines wholesome formulas with signature and natural scents. It contains mild ingredients that clean and condition your hands without drying them out.  It is made with hydrating glycerine that keeps the skin moisturized and smooth after every wash. The fragrance is a mix of crisp Siberian fir needles, cedarwood, and sandalwood.  Ingredients Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerine, Polyquaternium-10, Vegetable Protein Extract, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. Pros

Pleasant smell Lathers well Doesn’t dry hands

Cons

Contains parabens Contains sulfates

6. Beessential Lavender With Bergamot Foaming Moisturizing Hand Soap

The Beessential Lavender With Bergamot Foaming Moisturizing Hand Soap has a calming fragrance of lavender with hints of bergamot. It contains coconut, olive, hemp, aloe vera, and honey that thoroughly moisturize and soften your hands. It lathers nicely and leaves your skin soft without drying it. It doesn’t use parabens, SLS, GMO, alcohol, PEG, or gluten. It is made and approved by beekeepers and is not tested on animals. Ingredients Filtered Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Potassium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Honey, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/ Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Laurate, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glucamate Diacetate. Pros

Foams well Moisturizes skin Paraben-free SLS-free GMO-free Gluten-free PEG-free Alcohol-free Not tested on animals

Cons

May go rancid after a few months. Pungent smell

7. Deep Steep Foaming Hand Wash Refills

The Deep Steep Foaming Hand Wash Refills come in four scents – grapefruit bergamot, lavender chamomile, rosemary mint, and tangerine melon. They contain olive oil, argan oil, aloe vera, and coconut oil, which moisturize and soften your hands. This rich and creamy hand wash foams instantly and cleanses your hands without drying them out. Ingredients Aqua, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Heptyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Aroma, Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Organic Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Peel Oil, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid. Pros

Foams well Makes hands smooth Doesn’t irritate sensitive skin Doesn’t dry hands

Cons

Thin consistency The smell may be overpowering for some people.

8. Best For Sensitive Skin: doTerra On Guard Foaming Hand Wash

The doTerra On Guard Foaming Hand Wash is a gentle soap and a good option for sensitive skin. This hand wash is infused with protective proprietary doTerra essential oil blends that keep your hands fresh and dirt-free. It uses gentle cleansers and emollients that clean and soften the hands without drying or irritating the skin. This pH-balanced hand wash protects the delicate moisture barriers of the skin. It has a spicy and citrusy scent that invigorates the senses. Ingredients Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet orange ) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllata (Clovebud) Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon Bark) Oil, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Cetyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid. Pros

pH-balanced Foams well Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

Packaging issues The ingredients list is not mentioned on the bottle.

9. Bath & Body WorksAromatherapy Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

The Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Foaming Hand Soap comes in a pack three. It is blended with essential oils and skin-friendly ingredients that clean and moisturize your hands. This hand soap maintains the skin’s natural moisture barrier and soothes your skin. Vitamin E in the formula offers nourishment and the creamy texture feels luxuriously smooth on your skin. The eucalyptus oil and spearmint scent uplifts your mood and keeps you relaxed and calm. Ingredients Aloe vera, Eucalyptus, Vitamin E, and Spearmint Pros

Cruelty-free Moisturizing Pleasant calming scent

Cons None

10. Best Aromatic: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

The Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is a cleansing gel. This gentle formulation contains the oils of orange, rosemary, and lavender that cleanse the hands effectively without drying them out. It is perfect for people with dry hands. This hand wash makes your skin feel clean and refreshed. Ingredients Water (Aqua), Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Bark Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sodium Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Dehydroacetate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool. Pros

Smells good Makes hands soft A little goes a long way

Cons

Contains sulfates Packaging issues

11. Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap

The Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap is made with a plant-driven formula. It has a thick, honey-like consistency and lathers easily. It moisturizes and softens the skin and removes dirt and oil. This doctor-developed formula smells of citrus and sea salt. It contains aloe vera and vitamin E that keep your hands moisturized. It does not contain sulfates, triclosan, petrochemicals, animal by-products, or other harsh chemicals. It is not tested on animals and is vegan-friendly and gluten-free. It is organic, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. Ingredients Purified Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate (Coconut-Based Cleanser), Lauryl Glucoside (Coconut Oil-Based Cleanser), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (Coconut-Based Cleanser), Decyl Glucoside (Vegetable-Based Cleanser), Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate (Coconut-Based Cleanser), Coco-Glucoside (Coconut-Based Cleanser), Glyceryl Oleate (Plant-Based Skin Softener), Citric Acid (Citrus-Based Preservative), Benzisothiazolinone (Biodegradable Preservative), Natural Fragrance, Vegetable Glycerin (Plant-Based Skin Softener), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Citrate (Plant-Based Water Softener), Himalayan Pink Sea Salt. Pros

All-natural Doesn’t dry hands Vegan-friendly Hypoallergenic Gluten-free Sulfate-free Triclosan-free

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin The pump doesn’t work properly.

12. Stonewall Kitchen Coastal Breeze Hand Soap

The Stonewall Kitchen Coastal Breeze Hand Soap has a light and breezy scent that comes from coconut and citrus. It is made from a plant-based formula. It is enriched with vitamins that keep your skin soft and supple. It soothes the skin and leaves a light, refreshing fragrance. Ingredients Purified water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide, coco betaine, coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamins A and E, glyceryl cocoate, sea salt, fragrance oil. Pros

Does not dry the skin Lathers well Enriched with vitamins A and E

Cons

Issues with the pump. The scent may be overpowering for a few people.

That was our round-up of the 12 best hand soaps that not only cleanse your hands but also leave them feeling hydrated and soft. Make sure you check the ingredients and fragrances before buying one to ensure it does not cause allergies or rashes. Whether you are looking for budget-friendly hand soap or want to splurge on a luxuriously fragrant one, the above list has it all covered. Take your pick!

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Oyendrila Kanjlal, is a certified skin care coach who loves reviewing beauty products for her readers. She did an extensive research on hand washes and their ingredients to find the most effective options for her readers. She spent hours reading online customer reviews to narrow down this list of the hand soaps that can fight germs. Her recommended formulas do not dry out the hands, have pleasant fragrance, and are mostly free of harmful chemicals. Is hand soap antibacterial? Yes, many hands soaps are antibacterial. They effectively kill all germs in your hands. Is hand soap non-toxic? Yes, many hand soaps like the Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap are made with organic ingredients, making them non-toxic and safer to use. Can you use hand soap as a body wash? Yes, you can use hand soap on your whole body, except your face since the facial skin is more sensitive and requires gentler formulas. Do hand soaps have harmful chemicals? Yes, some hand soaps contain harsh chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and artificial fragrances that can irritate the skin. Does hand soap dry out your hands? Yes, overusing hand soap or hand washing too frequently can dry up your hands. Always use hand cream each time you wash your hands. What is the difference between soap and handwash? A handwash is usually rougher on the epidermis than hand soap because of its chemical composition, extensive processing, and petroleum concentration.

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