The 16 Best-Smelling Hand Soaps of 2023 Will Rival Your Fave Perfume (Seriously)

• Scent Notes: Orange, rosemary, and lavender

From Instagram to Twitter to Pinterest, we’ve been seeing this Aesop scent everywhere. Somehow, it’s become the Bottega Veneta cassette bag of hand soaps. So, what makes it so special? Well for one, it has an instantly recognizable scent palette of lavender, orange and rosemary that’s citrusy and woodsy—without overpowering. However, what really makes this guy worth its $40 price tag is its exfoliating properties, where it includes finely milled pumice for a super soft finish. One reviewer raves, “It is the perfect amount of exfoliation and makes my hands feel so soft…The scent is subtle yet incredibly calming [and] the bottle is much bigger than I expected!”

• Scent Notes: Apple, green mandarin, orange flower, jasmine petals and vanilla

Here, a delightfully fresh and floral hand soap that editor Candace Davison calls “unreal.” The fragrance features a subtly sweet scent with notes of orange blossom, garden herbs and jasmine petals that’ll leave your hands smelling crisp and clean. What’s more, the soap hails from Courteney Cox’s home brand, Homecourt, and is formulated with 1) argan oil to moisturize, 2) hibiscus flower to hydrate and protect and 3) coconut-derived surfactants to remove dirt and debris without irritating skin.

• Scent Notes: Lavender and violet

This hand soap clocks in at just under $10 but we’d pay extra for its scent alone. The fragrance features a floral blend of lavender and violet that’s botanical yet masculine (and many TikTokers have compared it to Le Labo’s cult-favorite Santal 33 perfume). Plus, on top of its alluring scent, it comes in a sturdy, re-fillable aluminum bottle that won’t interrupt your kitchen/bathroom aesthetic. “[This] smells so luxurious! It gently lingers after the use, [and] it looks/ feels durable and solid for further use. I placed it on top of a marble soap dish and it’s perfect!” one reviewer writes.

• Scent Notes: pear, bergamot lily of the valley and violet

We’ve spoken a lot about luxurious scents, but trust us when we say this number from Byredo takes the cake. Customers have described the fragrance as “intoxicating,” “decadent” and “light and refreshing,” where its notes of pear, bergamot, lily of the valley and violet have created quite the fan base. One reviewer writes, “Yes, it’s expensive, but that smell is amazing and it leaves your hands silky soft—so important when you are having to wash them all the time…I actually look forward to using this. I wish Byredo did Suede perfume too!”

• Scent Notes: sugared oranges, lemons, limes and exotic mountain greens

ICYMI, Capri Blue (aka the "Anthro scent") has come to define Anthropologie’s in-store experience. For years, shoppers have fallen prey to the brand’s signature Volcano scent, where fruity notes of sugared oranges, lemons, limes and exotic mountain greens draw people in like a moth to a flame. “It smells sweeter and softer than the typical bright, tart scent people often associate with lemons, limes and oranges, likely due to the additional tropical notes,” explains Davison in a PureWow review. Hence, why we’re seeing shoppers rave over the brand’s hand wash iteration, which features the same, tropical scent (but with a vegan, cruelty-free formula that’ll leave your hands feeling velvety soft).

• Scent Notes: amber rose, citrus and vanilla

ATTN, Moroccanoil lovers: Your favorite scent is now available in a hand wash. For those who don’t know, Moroccanoil’s argan oil hair treatment has amassed a worldwide fan base for its iconic scent—along with its nourishing, vitamin-rich formula—and the brand’s new handwash combines the best of both properties. First, you have its musky, woodsy fragrance, which features a base layer of spicy amber topped with sweet notes of rose, citrus and vanilla. But on top of that, there’s the formula itself, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids to help increase softness and reduce the appearance of fine, dry lines.

One reviewer raves: “This soap has a lather that's just as rich while using even less product! It [feels] more moisturizing than a regular liquid soap, too—my hands haven't been as cracked and dry the last week while I've been using it (as they have been for most of winter)…The scent is great and smells luxurious and high end, like a hair salon or spa. It lingers for a while too, leaving an expensive smelling scent on you.” However, they also warn: “If you don't like the scent or are sensitive to stronger scents, it may be an issue for you.”

• Scent Notes: sandalwood and vanilla

While you wouldn’t normally characterize sandalwood and vanilla as being “zingy,” that’s the best way to describe this scent. (Take it from this editor, who currently has a bottle sitting on the bathroom sink.) The fragrance reminds me of a quaint bed and breakfast on the English countryside, where the sandalwood base gives it a crisp, clean palette and hints of vanilla offer a subtle sweetness. Not to mention that it gets bonus points for the generous, 16.9-ounce size (which has boasted more than four months of use).

• Scent Notes: peony, suede, red apple, jasmine, rose, and gillyflower

This hand-meets-body wash from Jo Malone takes sultry-meets-floral to a new level. The scent captures delicate notes of peony, red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower, while a soft suede finish creates a seductive trail. One reviewer raves: “I've used [this] Peony wash in the bath, and the gorgeous fragrance wafts through the house and clings to my skin. The florals smell heady and sophisticated while the apple adds a lovely crisp, clean freshness. It seems to add depth and a lovely floral fruity sweetness to whatever fragrance I wear afterwards.”

• Scent Notes: vanilla, golden amber, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli lily, muguet, and orange

Another hand/body soap people are loving right now? This foaming wash from Beekman1802. Not only does it feature an irresistible vanilla scent (topped with notes of amber, sandalwood, cedar and orange), but it has a creamy, goat milk composition that’s just as moisturizing as it is gentle on the skin. “This soap smells heavenly. It produces a great lather. I use it in the kitchen where I often have very, very messy hands. It's cleansing powers are fantastic and it leaves a faint but pleasant scent on your hands,” writes one reviewer.

• Scent Notes: lemon

Sticking with the theme of foaming cleansers, this hand soap is formulated with a zesty lemon fragrance that’ll make your hands smell as fresh as they feel. The scent is lightweight and subtle while the soap’s cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients deliver a rich, foamy lather (and it also includes vitamins D & E for added nourishment). “The scent is light and doesn’t linger on your hands after you use it,” one reviewer shares. “The foam is airy and leaves my hands feeling moisturized instead of dry.” Plus, at $4 a pop, this is the most budget-friendly option on this list.

• Scent Notes: hinoki wood, clove, vetiver, guarana seed

Need something comforting and cozy for the holidays? We’d say this number from Hawthorne is the ticket. First, you have its earthy fragrance, where moody hinoki wood is layered with spicy clove and Haitian vetiver for an earthy feel. “[This soap] has a soothing, inside-the-forest kind of scent. Subtle and spicy at the same time,” one reviewer explains. It’s also worth mentioning that this one includes guarana seed in its ingredient list, which is known to fight aging and minimize wrinkles by promoting blood flow (according to the manufacturer).

• Scent Notes: rum extract, pears and red fruits

Need a foaming hand wash that also doubles as a body wash? Check. Looking for a scent that’s strong, warm and unisex? Check. Have to make sure it’ll nourish your sensitive skin? Check, check, check. This number by Malin+Goetz hits every category—from its dark rum fragrance (which is complemented to by herbal notes of pear and red fruits) to its hydrating amino acid and glycerin formula (which binds water to the skin and enhances moisture). “I first found this at a very posh hotel in NYC and fell in love with it. This is a great body/hand wash that isn't too drying, and the scent is fantastic. Not too strong but leaves a nice finish. It's nicely gender-neutral so works great for a guest bathroom,” one reviewer writes. Oh, and did we mention that it’s cruelty-free and made without harmful ingredients, including gluten, sulfates, phthalates, PEGs, mineral oils and parabens?

• Scent Notes: citrus, rose and magnolia

Next up on the list of haircare brands that are making their way into the bath and body space is OUAI. First and foremost, this soap features the brand’s signature 'Dean Street' scent, which carries notes of citrus, rose and magnolia that’ll linger on your skin for hours after washing. Yet, aside from its fragrance, customers can’t seem to get enough of its exfoliating formula, which gently cleanses the skin with biodegradable jojoba beads and moisturizes with avocado and rosehip oils. “Can we talk about the biodegradable beads...OMG. Amazing,” one reviewer raves. “It helps exfoliate, and you don't have to feel guilty about the beads going down the drain. It smells great but it's not overly fragrant, and it leaves my hands feeling clean but never dried out.”

• Scent Notes: bergamot and lemon

Nontoxic and made with 100 percent plant-derived aromas, this hand wash from Pipette is about as skin-friendly as it gets. It carries a bright and earthy bergamot and lemon scent—which is free from synthetic fragrances—and was developed with the support of biologists, dermatologists and pediatricians (so it’s also baby-safe). Plus, the vegan formula is hypoallergenic, so it can be used regularly on even the most sensitive skin without causing dryness or irritation. One reviewer says, “I absolutely love this hand wash, it cleans well and doesn't dry out my sensitive skin…My hands are softer and look more hydrated. I don't like scented products, but this is super light; you can't smell it after drying your hands. I'm really impressed with all of the products I've tried & love that they're made with clean ingredients.”

• Scent Notes: iris agave, perrine lemon and lavender eucalyptus

Made with 100 percent plant-based ingredients, this soap kit includes one reusable glass bottle and three scented tablets that are just as pure on the skin as they are environmentally conscious. The fragrances, which include iris agave, Perrine lemon and lavender eucalyptus, are crisp and light—without being cloyingly sweet or overpowering by—and are sourced from vegan ingredients that are paraben-, phosphate-, ammonia-, chlorine-, bleach- and soy/nut-free. “[These soap tablets] really make your hands feel clean and the scents are perfect, natural, delicious, and not too strong. Recycled packaging shipping. Saves on plastic and CO2 emissions by not shipping water weight. I'll be buying these for life,” one reviewer raves.

• Scent Notes: orange blossom, jasmine, gardenia, honey, amber, rose of Damascus, almond, tuberose and cedar

Finally, a set of handcrafted mini soaps that were inspired by traditional Lebanese pastries. The box features nine neatly placed soap bars that are made to resemble a box of sweets, where each fragrance—including orange blossom, jasmine of arabia, oriental gardenia, honey, amber, rose of damascus, almond exfoliant, tuberose, cedar of Lebanon—captures the region’s most famous flowers. Plus, aside from being sold in a variety of sweet to citrus to woodsy floral scents, each soap is formulated with shea butter, olive oil and vitamin E to smooth and soften the skin. If you’re looking for an impressive gift, or a way to impress your guests during this year’s holiday party, this is *the* set you should grab (before it goes out of stock).