It’s safe to say that hand soap is essential, and you can pretty much always count on finding one next to any sink you stumble upon. You might think you need a good antibacterial soap, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ashley Magovern, M.D. says regular soap is just as effective. She recommends looking for hand soaps derived from ingredients like coconut oil that won’t strip the skin.
Today, aisles are full of every hand soap you can imagine, ranging from budget-friendly bar soap picks to luxury options. To help you find your perfect match, we sorted through the suds and conducted hours of research, evaluating each option based on its scent, ingredients, cleansing capabilities, and skin benefits. Our personal experience, consulting two board-certified derms, and considering numerous top-rated products helped us land on these bubbly faves.
Our Top Picks
Best Multipurpose:
Best Drugstore:
Best Scent:
Best Scent, Runner-Up:
Best Moisturizing:
Best Exfoliating:
Best Foaming:
Best Overall
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Hand + Body Wash
What We Like
Multipurpose
Great scent
Refillable option
What to Consider
Pump can get clogged
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.
What We Like
Great lather; doubles as body wash
Wonderful scent combination of bergamot, vanilla, cassis, and amber
Vegan and carbon neutral
What to Consider
Pump can get stuck easily
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?
What We Like
Made with organic oils for sensitive skin
Doesn’t leave hands feeling dry
Big bottle size
What to Consider
Dispenser can be a bit difficult
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.
What We Like
Comes in numerous, lovely scents
Available at most drugstore and grocery store chains
Lathers nicely
What to Consider
Can be drying
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.
What We Like
Great scent
Luxurious texture
Free of paraben-free, phthalates, and artificial colorants
What to Consider
Pump can get stuck easily
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.
Best Scent, Runner-Up
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
What We Like
Wonderful, woodsy scent
Jumbo, high-end bottle
Luxurious, low-foaming texture
What to Consider
Some may not love the lack of suds
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.
What We Like
Comes in various scents
Super affordable
Refillable and sustainable
What to Consider
Takes time to lather
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.
What We Like
Hydrating with shea and oat milk
Leaves hands feeling super soft
Ease to use pump bottle
What to Consider
Thin consistency
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.
Best Exfoliating
Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Rinse
What We Like
Scrubs away dead skin
Leaves hands feeling soft
Gorgeous, refillable packaging
What to Consider
Pump can get clogged easily
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.
What We Like
Lathers well
Filled with a mixture of essential oils
Eco-friendly brand
What to Consider
Only sold in a pack of four
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.
What We Like
Hydrating formula
4 scent options
Light texture
What to Consider
Plastic bottle
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.
What We Like
Gentle formula with shea butter and coconut oil
Lathers well
Unscented options
What to Consider
Thin texture
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.
What We Like
100% natural ingredients
Gentle formula
Big bottle size
What to Consider
Dispenser can be a bit difficult
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.
Best Bar Soap
Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Body Soap Bar 3-Piece Set
What We Like
Can be used for hands and body
Super hydrating with shea butter and jojoba oil
No excess plastic
What to Consider
Strong scent
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.
What We Like
Versatile, sustainable packaging
Vegan, cruelty-free, and made from Natural fragrances
Creamy texture
What to Consider
Only available on retailer website
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.
What We Like
Contains nourishing oils
Pleasant citrus and floral fragrance
Free of sulfates and parabens
What to Consider
Pump can clog
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.
What We Like
Polishes jewelry and cleans hands at one time
Gentle formula
Clean ingredients
What to Consider
Can take time to really lather
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.
Best With Antioxidants
Youth To The People Superfood Omega Hand + Body Lotion with Kale + Green Tea
What We Like
Formulated with superfood extracts
Aromatic scent
Lightweight gel formula
What to Consider
Pump could be sturdier
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.
What to Look for When Buying Hand Soap
- Nourishing Surfactants: Natural surfactants are cleansing properties that won't strip your skin of moisture and can derive from natural oils like coconut oil. "Aloe vera is another great ingredient that has natural antibacterial properties and soothes and heals irritated skin," says Dr. Magovern.
- Antibacterial vs. Not: Unless you work in an environment that requires more sterile hands, you don't need antibacterial hand soap to stave off germs and viruses. "Antibacterial soaps would kill the bacteria on your hands while washing them; however, they can generate medicine-resistant bacteria," explains Dr. Magovern. "This is because, over time, the bacteria will develop an immunity to the antibiotics with repeated exposure, making them stronger and more resistant."
- Ingredients to Avoid: Some ingredients found in hand soap, such as certain forms of sulfates, can cause irritation and dryness. Dr. Magovern says to keep an eye out for lauryl sulfate in particular as it's a main culprit. "There are a few forms of sulfates that are not known to irritate skin, so make sure to read your labels carefully," she explains. "The sulfate in this wash is even great for those with sensitive skin thanks to the orange, rosemary, and lavender oils that prevent drying effects."
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.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has spent a whole lot of time testing hand soaps. As someone who struggles with eczema breakouts on her hand, she’s always on the hunt for soaps that smell delicious and don’t cause red, patchy flare-ups. Some of her personal favorites include Byredo, Acqua Di Parma, Bath and Body Works, and Mrs. Meyers. Ally Hirschlag is a senior beauty editor who obsessively washes her hands, and has tried way too many hand soaps for fun.
Austen Tosone is a beauty writer and content creator based in NYC. She tests dozens of beauty products for work and hand soaps are no exception. Her current favorites from this list are the Mrs. Meyers (the Lemon Verbena scent, please!) and the Shinery Radiance Wash, which she uses to clean her wedding rings before attending events and family gatherings.
Additional guidance was provided by two experts.
- Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
- Dr. Ashley Magovern, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Dermstore.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hand soaps from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.