How do you use hand soaps?

To 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 dries the skin, says Dr. Graf. “It is important to use hand lotion or cream immediately after washing your hands to avoid drying the skin.” 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.

These 13 Soaps Make Hand Washing Way More Enjoyable

Rachel Dube

Updated on Jan 18, 2022

Reviewed by

Kavita Mariwalla, MD

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

Fact checked by

Yvonne McGreevy

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Commerce Photo Composite — Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

After the last couple of years, it’s safe to say that we’ve all realized how important hand soap is. It’s a basic necessity to kill germs, making it pretty tricky to find any reason to deny keeping a bottle (or two) next to every sink in our homes. Thankfully for us, the days when soap only came in a simple bottle—with only lemon or berry flavor options—are gone. Instead, there are aisles upon aisles of every hand soap you can possibly imagine, ranging from budget-friendly picks to the epitome of luxury. And whether you opt to stick with the basic options or splurge on something a bit fancier for a much-needed self-care moment, there's hand soap out there for you.

To help make the process of finding the ideal hand soap a bit simpler, we sorted through the suds to find the best hand soaps for every room, occasion, or preference.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Jeannette Graf is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.

Keep reading to find the best hand soaps.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Bath & Body Works Hand Soap at Amazon

You can choose from four different formulas and more than 50 different fragrances with this brand.

Best Budget:

Organic Bath Co. PeaceFull Hand Soap at Organicbath.co

Made with organic oils, this affordable soap won't cause irritation on sensitive skin types.

Best Drugstore:

Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Hand Soap at Amazon

The basil fragrance offers a fresh scent to this drugstore hand soap.

Best Scent:

Le Labo Hand Soap at Nordstrom

Its easy-to-use pump bottle dispenses a thick-textured soap that smells downright amazing.

Best Scent, Runner-Up:

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash at Nordstrom

This scent is definitely a crowd-pleaser and the luxe texture takes this pick over the top.

Best Antibacterial:

Softsoap Antibacterial Hand Soap at Amazon

With a pretty bottle and sophisticated scents, it’s hard to believe that this antibacterial soap rings in at the price of coffee.

Best Luxury:

Acqua di Parma Colonia Hand Soap at Sephora

This splurge-worthy formula features a sophisticated scent and a rich, creamy lather.

Best Moisturizing:

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Wash at Amazon

This top pick helps replenish moisture so your hands won't dry out when you wash your hands frequently.

Best Exfoliating:

Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Rinse at Nordstrom

You'll feel like you're in an upscale hotel, thanks to this soap's class packaging and exfoliating sensation.

Best Foaming:

Ecodaisy Foaming Hand Soap at Walmart

A blend of essential oils provides a nice scent and hydrating benefits.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
Why Trust Byrdie?

View On Amazon View On Bathandbodyworks.com

What We Like

Comes in various scents
Creamy, foam-like texture
Doesn’t leave hands feeling dry after use

What We Don’t Like

Strong scent

There are so many reasons why we find ourselves drawn to Bath and Body Works' endless hand soap options. Not only are there a barrage of formulas, ranging from gentle foaming to exfoliating, but there are also more than 50 different fragrances to choose from. Their adorable packaging and affordable pricing don’t hurt the matter either, which is just another reason why you’ll adore them as much as we do.

Size: 8 fluid ounces | Scent: Warm vanilla sugar, peach bellini, berry cherry merlot, Japanese cherry blossom | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Organicbath.co View On Thrive Market

What We Like

Wonderful scent
Doesn’t leave hands feeling dry after use
Big bottle size

What We Don’t Like

Dispenser can be a bit difficult

With a gentle, effective formula, it’s hard to believe that this soap rings in at under $10. While it may not be the cheapest on the market, you can rest assured knowing that the 10 (yes, 10) fluid ounces will last you quite a while. Plus, its formula is crafted with a whole slew of ingredients that won’t dry your hands out every time you lather.

Size: 10 fluid ounces | Scent: Lavender | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Amazon View On IHerb View On Riteaid.com

What We Like

Comes in various scents
Affordable
Lathers nicely

What We Don’t Like

Can be drying
Dispenser can be a bit difficult

If you haven’t gotten on the Mrs. Meyer's hand soap train, then you’re in for a treat. Aside from being readily available at most drugstores and grocery stores, it also has a clean formula with a delicious fresh-smelling scent. It's cute retro packaging, super affordable price tag, and wide selection of equally yummy scents only add to its appeal.

Size: 12.5 ounces | Scent: Basil, acorn spice, apple, apple cider, bluebell, compassion flower, daisy, eucalyptus, fresh cut grass, geranium, honeysuckle, Iowa pine, lavender, lemon verbena, lilac, mint, mum, oat blossom, orange clove, pear tree, peony, peppermint, plum berry, radish, rain water, rhubarb, rose, rosemary, snowdrop, watermelon | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Nordstrom View On Net-a-porter.com

What We Like

Luxurious texture
Wonderful scent
Lathers nicely

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

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 scent of the nearby hinoki trees. Hinted with notes of sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf, and sugarcane, the jumbo-sized bottle will become an instant favorite of years. Also nice: It's an easy-to-use pump, smooth lather, and thick, luxurious texture.

Size: 16.9 fluid ounces | Scent: Hinoki, sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf, sugarcane | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Nordstrom View On Net-a-porter.com

What We Like

Gorgeous packaging
Wonderful scent
Luxurious texture

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

This cleansing gel leaves hands fresh and clean, though never stripped of any 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, which is a crowd-pleaser among all. Bonus points for the ultra-chic bottle and its jumbo-sized bottle that seems to last forever. And it’s a top pick of Dr. Graf. “I love how silky this makes skin feel after use—from the infusion of essential oils within its formula—to effectively cleanse without drying out the hands.”

Size: 16.9 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus, woody, and herbaceous | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Amazon View On Staples View On Walmart

What We Like

Comes in various scents
Affordable
Refillable

What We Don’t Like

Can be drying
Doesn't lather well

Aside from giving off a pleasant scent, this antibacterial soap from Softsoap is both affordable and easy to use. “It’s an inexpensive option that is clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria while still smelling great,” explains Dr. Jeannette Graf, Board Certified Dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine. And the bottle is refillable, so you don’t need to worry about running to repurchase a new bottle every time you run out.

Size: 11.25 ounces | Scent: White tea and berry, fresh hands/zesty lemon, fresh citrus, crisp clean, sparkling pear, cool splash | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

What We Like

Lathers well
Wonderful scent
Gorgeous packaging

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

Thanks to its rich, creamy lather, you’ll want to slather this Acqua Di Parma Hand Soap on your hands every chance you get. Its fragrant—but not overbearing—citrusy scent holds notes of lemon, bergamot, and patchouli, which are meant to emulate the Silician fruit of Colonia. Plus, you’ll love how its gorgeous yellow packaging looks on your bathroom (or kitchen) counter.

Size: 10.1 ounces | Scent: Colonia | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Amazon View On QVC

What We Like

Hydrating
Leaves hands feeling soft
Great for gifting

What We Don’t Like

Thin consistency
Strong scent

When you're washing your hands as much as we have been, keep this hydrating option at the ready. The formula is loaded with fatty acids to help replenish moisture, along with 5% shea milk and oat milk to soothe and protect. Each pump will feel like lotion, leaving your hands feeling soft, hydrated, and ready to take on excessive hand washing.

Size: 10.1 fluid ounces | Scent: Shea classic | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Nordstrom View On Diptyqueparis.com View On Net-a-porter.com

What We Like

Gorgeous packaging
Leaves hands feeling soft
Refillable

What We Don’t Like

Pricey
Can be drying

Housed in sleek glass packaging, this Diptyque hand soap will make a statement in your bathroom. It’ll keep your hands super soft all year round, 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. Also, it’s refillable, so you’ll only have to splurge on the gorgeous bottle once.

Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Floral and woody notes | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Walmart

What We Like

Lathers well
Filled with a mixture of essential oils
Gorgeous packaging

What We Don’t Like

Only arrives in packages of four soaps

There’s nothing quite like lathering up with a luxurious foamy hand soap, so it only makes sense to add one to your rotation. Filled with a mixture of essential oils, the formula will keep your skin from drying out while adding in a bit of aromatherapy. The cute, simple packaging makes it ideal for any bathroom space, too.

Size: 12.5 ounces | Scent: Peppermint | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Nordstrom View On Net-a-porter.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

What We Like

Hydrating
Wonderful scent
Light texture

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

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 one (or two) bottles for everyday enjoyment. Similar to the brand’s iconic perfumes, Byredo’s hand wash ups the ante with its lovely aromas. Choose between Suede and Tulipmania, which both add a floral and fruity scent, Rose, a mix of musk and pink pepper, or the earthy yet sweet Vetyver. Thankfully, all smell delicious, so you truly can’t go wrong with whatever you ultimately decide.

Size: 15.2 ounces | Scent: Bergamot and pear | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Amazon View On IHerb

What We Like

Great value
Gentle formula
Lathers well

What We Don’t Like

Unscented

You use gentle products on your face, so why not your hands? Within this particular soap is a mixture of three pure ingredients—shea butter, virgin coconut oil, and neem leaf—which will let you throw away your worries about dealing with irritation or dry, red patches of skin due to unknown ingredients. To add an extra layer of protection, it’s also unscented and free of any sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, and more.

Size: 18 ounces | Scent: Unscented, lemon verbena, peppermint tingle, lavender spice, lavender, vanilla passion, honeysuckle, mandarin mango, vanilla mint, eucalyptus mint | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

J.R. Watkins Tumeric & Citron Plant-Based Hand Soap

View On Amazon View On Jrwatkins.com

What We Like

Gentle formula
Big bottle size
Affordable

What We Don’t Like

Dispenser can be a bit difficult

We’d be remiss to mention that this hand soap from J.R Watkins provides the best scent combination, along with a formula filled with only natural ingredients. It has a great price tag—and large bottle size—so you can truly get the biggest bang for your buck. Plus, it’s cruelty, paraben-, silicone-, and sulfate-free, too.

Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Turmeric and citron, monoi and sandalwood, rosewater, rosemary and rosewood, oud | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

Since washing our hands is important, it’s imperative to make sure you use the correct hand soap. You truly can’t go wrong with the Bath And Body Works Creamy Luxe Hand Soap (view at Bath and Body Works), an affordable classic with a barrage of different scent and formula options. If you’re looking for a scent that’ll blow you away, opt for Le Labo Hand Soap (view at Nordstrom) or Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash (view at Aesop). And, if you’re a sucker for a foamy lather, try the Ecodaisy Foaming Hand Soap (view at Ecodaisy). It’s a wallet-friendly pick that touts a delicious peppermint scent and naturally derived formula.

FAQ

How do you use hand soaps?

To 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 dries the skin, says Dr. Graf. “It is important to use hand lotion or cream immediately after washing your hands to avoid drying the skin.” 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.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie Contributor, Rachel Dube, has spent a whole lot of time testing hand soaps over the last two years. 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.

These Cleansing Bars Will Change the Way You Feel About Bar Soap

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Balić A, Vlašić D, Žužul K, Marinović B, Bukvić Mokos Z. Omega-3 versus omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. IJMS. 2020;21(3):741.
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago J. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. IJMS. 2017;19(1):70.
Freeman M, Ayers C, Peterson C, Kansagara D. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: A Map of the Evidence. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US); September 2019.

These 13 Soaps Make Hand Washing Way More Enjoyable

Best Overall: Bath & Body Works Luxe Hand Soap

Best Budget: Organic Bath Co. PeaceFull Hand Soap

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

Best Scent: Le Labo Hand Soap

Best Scent, Runner-Up: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

Best Antibacterial: Softsoap Antibacterial Hand Soap

Best Luxury: Acqua di Parma Colonia Hand Soap

Best Moisturizing: L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Hand Wash

Best Exfoliating: Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Rinse

Best Foaming: Ecodaisy Foaming Hand Soap

Best Splurge: Byredo Suede Hand Wash

Best Gentle: Alaffia EveryDay Shea Liquid Hand Soap

Best Natural: J.R. Watkins Tumeric & Citron Plant-Based Hand Soap

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