There is a struggle we all share but rarely talk about. It pervades every day of our lives, and can get quite annoying if no solution is reached: the quest for the perfect hand soap. Sometimes the soap you use to wash your hands is too scented, sometimes it is not foamy enough. Sometimes it does not get the dirt off from a day of gardening and you worry what else it might be leaving on your skin. Maybe your soap is incredibly drying and leaves your hands feeling like rough sandpaper. Or, perhaps, it just flops off and doesn’t seem like real soap at all.
Table of Contents
- Best bathroom hand soap Review Guide:
- Best hand soap review Comparison guide:
- Best hand soap review
- #1. Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Wash, Sulfate-Free Gel, Lavender & Vanilla – by Puracy
- #2. Live Clean Argan Oil Replenishing Liquid Hand Soap, 17 oz. – by Live Clean
- #3. L’Occitane Cleansing Verbena Liquid with Organic Verbena Extract – By L’Occitane
- #4. Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Hand Wash – By Molton Brown London
- #5. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap Lemon Verbena 12.5 fl oz – by Mrs. Meyers
- #6. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Tea Tree 32oz – by Dr. Bronner’s
- #7. Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, 2-Scent Variety Pack – by Dial
- #8. L’Occitane Shea Butter Liquid Hand Soap – by L’Occitane
- #9. NEST Fragrances Scented Liquid Hand Soap– Grapefruit , 10 fl oz – by NEST Fragrances
- #10. Everyone Hand Soap, Ylang Ylang plus Cedarwood, 12.75oz, 3 Count – by Everyone
- #11. Gojo Industries Gojo Fmx-12 Antibacterial Luxury Foam Hand Soap Refill – by Gojo
- #12. Michel Design Works Foaming Hand Soap, Tuscan Grove – by Michel Design Works
- Why is hand soap so important?
- Wash, dry, and be safe!
So why do we not talk about this issue? My guess is that we assume it just has to be that way, that that is simply the way hand soap is. But I refuse to take that for an answer! That is why I have kept a list of all the different soaps I have gotten for my household over the past few months. And, believe me, with lots of little bacteria vectors called nephews and nieces, there is quite a dire need of good hand soap around these parts!
Best bathroom hand soap Review Guide:
As you already read above, I have done a little bit of an experiment with hand soaps over the past few months. I have tried and tested several brands and products to find out which hand soap was the best, most efficient at removing dirt, and left my hands the most soft and moisturized. There have been mild successes, there have been epic fails (think cracked hand skin and dirty fingernails all around!), and there have been true finds.
Here is the list of the best hand soaps I could find over the course of my experiment! Pay attention to the essentials and read up on the pros and cons of each of these quality hand soaps. Have at it!
Best hand soap review Comparison guide:
These are the specifics of each of the hand soap I have reviewed. Pay close attention!
| Product name | Brand | Origin | Have a Fragrance? | Contain Sulfates? | Hypoallergenic? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Wash, Sulfate-Free Gel Hand Soap, Lavender & Vanilla | Puracy | The hand soap is made in the USA | Yes, it is natural vanilla and lavender essential oils. | No, the hand soap is free of all sulfates and harsh chemicals. | Yes, the hand soap is hypoallergenic | See product price |
| Live Clean Argan Oil Replenishing Liquid Hand Soap. | Live Clean | The hand soap is made in Canada | Yes, it has a sweet scent. | Yes, this hand soap contains sulfates. | The hand soap is not hypoallergenic | See product price |
| L’Occitane Cleansing Verbena Liquid with Organic Verbena Extract | L’Occitane en Provence | This hand soap’s origin is not stated | Yes, this hand soap has a natural scent of lemon verbena from Provence. | It is not stated whether the hand soap contains sulfates. | The hand soap is not hypoallergenic | See product price |
| Molton Brown Hand Wash | Molton Brown London | This hand soap is made in England. | Yes, this hand soap is scented with Sevilian orange oil, bergamot and orange blossom. | It is not stated whether the hand soap contains sulfates. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap Lemon Verbena | Mrs. Meyers | The origin of this hand soap is not stated. | Yes, this hand soap is scented with essential oil of lemon verbena. | This hand soap is free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Tea Tree | Dr. Bronner’s | This hand soap is made in the USA. | This hand soap has a strong tea tree oil scent. | It is free of sulfates and completely organic. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | Dial | The origin of this hand soap is not stated. | The pack contains two different scents: “Fresh Pear” and “Sprinkling Water” | It is not stated whether the hand soap contains sulfates. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| L’Occitane Shea Butter Liquid Hand Soap | L’Occitane en Provence | This hand soap is made in France | The fragrance is Verbena essential oils. | The hand soap does not contain sulfates | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| NEST Fragrances Scented Liquid Hand Soap | NEST Fragrances | This hand soap is made in the USA | This soap’s fragrance is a blend of pink pomelo grapefruit, green notes, coriander blossom, and lily of the valley. | Not sulfate free, but free of parabens. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Everyone Hand Soap, Ylang Ylang plus Cedarwood | Everyone | This hand soap is made in the USA, California State | This soap contains natural fragrances of Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood | Free of sulfates and harsh chemicals | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Gojo Industries Antibacterial Luxury Foam Hand Soap Refill | Gojo | This hand soap is made in the USA | This soap has an orange blossom fragrance | This hand soap is not free of sulfates | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
| Michel Design Works Foaming Hand Soap, Tuscan Grove | Michel Design Works | The origin of this hand soap is not stated | This hand soap contains a fragrance of olives and fresh Mediterranean herbs. | It is not stated whether the hand soap contains sulfates. | The soap is not hypoallergenic. | See product price |
So those are the main specifics of each of the hand soap I’ve tried. Here are my actual likes and dislikes for each of them. Take notes!
Best hand soap review
#1. Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Wash, Sulfate-Free Gel, Lavender & Vanilla – by Puracy
Puracy’s pack of 4 handsome hand soap bottles is ace at convenience. These bottles contain 12 ounces of the best liquid hand soap each. The product even smells like vanilla and lavender. Instant love.
As one of the first ice cube trays I tried, this Home Complete product really schooled me. I could not believe ice could be so awesome! This tray pack produces, in total, 16 large ice cubes that will not dilute your drink. Smooth and beautiful end product, great ease of use!
- Need I tell you just how difficult it is to find truly hypoallergenic hand soap such as this?
- Vegan, cruelty free, and gluten free. Tops.
- It lathers in a very satisfactory way.
- This soap has no sulphates or harsh chemicals that could dry your hands.
- The consistency of this hand soap is a bit on the thin side for my liking.
#2. Live Clean Argan Oil Replenishing Liquid Hand Soap, 17 oz. – by Live Clean
Argan oil is definitely a trendy ingredient: it’s rich, creamy, smells great, and makes for the best moisturizing hand soap.Live Clean Argan Oil is a great investment if your hands usually crack because of your washing habits. It also contains grape seed oil and olive oil to intensify the effects. Plus, it’s free of harsh chemicals and animal cruelty.
- Live Clean Argan Oil is 98% plant based.
- It is intensely moisturizing. I can tell the tale.
- A little goes a long way, which means you save!
- The scent of the product is at least partially artificial, and it’s way too strong and sweet for my liking.
#3. L’Occitane Cleansing Verbena Liquid with Organic Verbena Extract – By L’Occitane
Verbena scented, natural, and gentle lathering hand soap seems like a dream. But this lovely L’Occitane product is the real thing! Have I said I love it yet? It smells like heaven, does not dry your hands at all, and is my absolute favorite hand soap!
- Verbena might just be the scent of Paradise.
- This soap contains wheat proteins that work to soften and hydrate your skin.
- Lovely light foam!
- If you like creamy hand soaps, this is not the right soap for you.
#4. Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Hand Wash – By Molton Brown London
Molton Brown Hand Soap sure is (and looks!) classy. You could find this beautiful soap at a high-end boutique hotel and it would not be out of place. What is it like? It’s a citrusy blend that is easy to dispense and use. Fresh and pleasant 300 ml of hand soap!
- Stellar packaging (I love to bring it out when we have guests, shhh!)
- The orange blossom and bergamot scents are alluring and, as the brand states, straight from the grove.
- Essential oils that provide extra moisture.
- The dispenser give off only a little at a time, which can be frustrating if you’re impatient.
#5. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap Lemon Verbena 12.5 fl oz – by Mrs. Meyers
Looking for an sturdy household soap? If you have extra cleaning needs (aka, small children running around), you will like Mrs. Meyers! It’s made with mostly natural ingredients, doesn’t have harsh chemicals, and works hard at removing dirt. What’s not to like?
- As always, the verbena scent is a nice touch.
- With extra aloe vera, this hand soap makes sure all hands stay hydrated and crack-less.
- The amount dispensed is exactly right.
- Its gel-like consistency means that it does not lather consistently. If you need foam to feel clean, do not order this soap.
#6. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Tea Tree 32oz – by Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap is a true all-rounder. It does everything! Its natural formulation with tea tree oil is even helpful in the fight against acne. Its 32 ounces are certified vegan, made in the USA, and come in a recycled package.
- Almost everything! The components of this soap are overwhelmingly natural. That, in my book, is always a good thing!
- Recycled packaging might not be pretty, but it keeps our world clean.
- Works for cleaning almost anything, so it’s a great buy if you need to restrict your purchases.
- Tea tree oil is a hardcore natural cleaning agent.
- The same tea tree oil has a bit of an overpowering smell.
- If you use it on the face, it can be kind of drying.
#7. Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, 2-Scent Variety Pack – by Dial
Dial Hand Soap is simple yet effective. No flourishes or pretty packages, just plain old cleaning power. The 221 ml bottle comes in “Fresh Pear” and “Sparkling Water” scents. Best part? The soap comes in packs of 5!
- Antibacterial formula guaranteed to kill 99.9% of household bacteria means extra protection for my loved ones.
- Practical: people who forget to buy soap can rely on the fact they now have 5.
- Foamy and creamy texture.
- It is not nearly natural. This soap contains lots of harsh chemicals.
- The fragrances are also artificial.
- The packaging is not attractive.
#8. L’Occitane Shea Butter Liquid Hand Soap – by L’Occitane
And we’re back to L’Occitane! How not to, given that their products are all so thoughtful? This hand soap is renowned for its shea butter and aloe vera components, besides the glorious aroma of verbena. A pretty pumping bottle of 500 ml!
- The naturally hydrating components leave your skin soft and nourished. Perfect for dry hands.
- The bottle is display-worthy.
- As always, L’Occitane has the very best scents!
- I literally got compliments on this soap.
- I’ve noticed the soap is a little hard to get off your hands.
- You need to clean the pump.
#9. NEST Fragrances Scented Liquid Hand Soap– Grapefruit , 10 fl oz – by NEST Fragrances
NEST’s soap is a modern looking bottle of 300 ml paraben free soap. Its grapefruit and floral scent is highly original, and it does not fail at cleansing your hands while also hydrating.
- Natural antioxidants in the formulation are a huge plus for me.
- The scents are heavenly (I really love the deep citrus and lily of the valley notes!).
- This soap truly softens the skin overtime.
- The container looks like glass but you get plastic. The top tends to come off quite a bit.
#10. Everyone Hand Soap, Ylang Ylang plus Cedarwood, 12.75oz, 3 Count – by Everyone
The masculine looking bottles of Everyone Hand Soap hold 12.75 ounces of no-harsh-chemicals, carefully formulated soap. At least, that’s the impression you get when you use it! The interesting, soft and natural scents of this soap are paired with an impressive cleaning capability. 100% would recommend!
- Sturdy packaging (crucial if you have butter hands like I do).
- Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood natural scents make it a really pleasant addition to my everyday routine, besides helping hydrate. A keeper!
- No synthetic fragrances nor harsh chemicals.
- Comes in packs of 3.
- Cruelty free and non-GMO!
- If your skin is sensitive (think eczema), the natural essential oils might prove too overwhelming.
#11. Gojo Industries Gojo Fmx-12 Antibacterial Luxury Foam Hand Soap Refill – by Gojo
Antibacterial soap with a nice fragrance is pretty hard to come by, but I think we found it in this Gojo product! Its 1250 ml are super convenient and can stand by themselves or as a refill to a practical soap dispenser. It’s good for more than hands: its formula is meant to be all-purpose!
- Big size is best: it eliminates the hassle of buying so often.
- Antibacterial and powerful.
- Is it odd that I think the peachy color is extra pretty?
- My hands are prone to dryness, so this really was not the best hand soap for me. It contains sulfates.
#12. Michel Design Works Foaming Hand Soap, Tuscan Grove – by Michel Design Works
A luxury 17.8 ounces of foamy, delightful hand soap, Michel Design Works is a real treat! It lathers, it moisturises, it smells like olives and Mediterranean herbs. This hand soap is the perfect ally if you’re feeling like you need to take a break from your usual routine and pamper yourself. It’s so good and so pretty!
- The botanical designs on the packaging make this hand soap a statement piece.
- Natural aloe vera, rich shea butter, and real scents: a luxurious experience.
- It foams beautifully.
- Strong cleaning power.
- The amount is a bit on the meager side: I’m always left wanting more!
Why is hand soap so important?
As you go about your life, you (either inadvertently or on purpose) touch dozens and dozens of things. According to research, an average person touches at least 140 items a day. That number will go up significantly if you have kids, work as a teacher or in a manual oriented job (such as the arts or in a factory), or train for sports.
The average smartphone owner will touch their phone’s screen at least 2,617 times in one day. If you are an “extreme” cell phone user, that number goes up to 5,400 times! How is this related to hand soap? Well, a cell phone’s screen typically has a bacterial count of 17,000 which is, apparently, 10 times higher than a toilet seat’s count. Oh, and gym equipment? It can have up to 362 times the germ count of a toilet seat! Yuck!
And why should you care? Bacteria are everywhere and you’re still alive and well! That’s all fine and good until you get the flu and miss work, or your whole family comes down with salmonella. Not trying to be a scarecrow here, I promise! I do believe it is important that we understand just how crucial using hand soap is to prevent illness and unnecessary discomfort in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
While using hand soap is not a magical solution that will make you forever healthy, it does prevent catching bacterially transmitted illnesses. How does it do this? Isn’t just water equally effective?
Essentially, soap does not annihilate bacteria. Rather, it releases the chokehold germs tend to have on your hands and makes it possible for the streaming water to wash them away. If you are using the best antimicrobial hand soap, you have the added bonus of actual bacteria elimination.
Wash, dry, and be safe!
When all is said and done in the realm of the best hand soap products, it is up to you to evaluate your needs and choose the best option for yourself! Remember that you need water, soap, and thoroughness in order to achieve spotless hands. So wash your hands, dry them with a clean towel, and enjoy a stress free life for you and your family!
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