If ever there was a doubt about how important it is to have a good hand soap on hand, it all but vanished with the introduction of COVID-19 to our daily lives. With hand-washing billed as one of the most important steps to preventing the virus's spread by the CDC, this once average household commodity was suddenly more in-demand than Taylor Swift concert tickets, selling out all over the country. Thankfully, its stock has finally bounced back enough for you to take your pick of hand cleansers—but which one to choose?
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The 9 Best Hand Soaps to Stock Up on Before They Sell Out Again
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Antibacterial Soap Vs. Regular Soap
While most hand soaps and soaps, in general, rid your body of dirt, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal or disinfectant soaps contain certain chemical properties that aren’t found in regular soaps. You’ll want to be mindful of these ingredients, however. Some, like Triclosan, have already been banned from products over health concerns when used consistently over prolonged periods. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that there isn’t enough science to suggest that even the best antibacterial hand soap will protect you from germs better than regular soap and water, though it will still kill bad bacteria—just note that you shouldn’t overuse it, lest you kill off all your good bacterial, too.
Hand Soap for Sensitive Skin
If you are someone that finds constant hand washing leaves your skin feeling irritated or dry, then there are plenty of more gentle soaps on the market that could be a great option for you. Look out for more natural ingredients, like tea tree, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.
What Is the Best Hand Soap?
Oftentimes, it comes down to personal preference when choosing the ideal hand soap. Do you like a liquid pump or a wash that has foaming properties? Both of these options are great for their quick distribution with minimal surface touching. Perhaps you prefer a traditional bar soap instead? This option may be more cost-effective, as it allows you to buy in bulk but could leave a bit of a mess on the counter.
Read on to check out nine of the best hand soaps to stock up on in order to keep you and those around you safe from harmful germs.
The Best Hand Soap at a Glance
- Best Overall Hand Soap: First Botany Tea Tree Mint Hand Soap
- Best Luxury Hand Soap: Anthropologie Capri Blue Volcano Hand Soap and Lotion Set
- Best Bar Hand Soap: Dial Hand Soap
- Best Natural Hand Soap: Sun & Earth The Good Clean Hand Soap
- Best Bulk Hand Soap: Safeguard Hand Soap
- Best Moisturizing Hand Soap: DermaKleen Anti Microbial Hand Soap
- Best Liquid Hand Soap: Care Touch Hand Soap
- Best Vegan Hand Soap: Greenerways Hand Soap
- Best Foaming Hand Soap: J.R. Watkins Hand Soap
1. First Botany Tea Tree Mint Hand Soap
Best Overall Hand Soap
Recognized for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, the tea tree and peppermint oils found in this cruelty-free cleanser will not only leave your hands free of bacteria, but also smelling great. Better yet, instead of chemicals or parabens, which can dry out or irritate sensitive skin, it’s got jojoba oil to leave them feeling hydrated and nourished.
2. Anthropologie Capri Blue Volcano Hand Soap And Lotion Set
Best Luxury Hand Soap
The Capri Blue Volcano candle scent with a cult following for more than 20 years also comes in soap form. Accompanied by a matching lotion and a gorgeous gold caddy, it’s totally giftable, but with the fresh scent of tropical fruits and “lightly exotic mountain greens,” there’s a good chance you’ll want to keep it for yourself. It also has shea butter and coconut oil to keep hands from getting too dry.
3. Dial Bar Soap
Best Bar Hand Soap
This antibacterial hand soap has a nice, creamy lather to it that won’t leave your hands feeling dried out after a proper wash. It also has antibacterial properties to fight microbes on your hands—even after you've finished rinsing—along with odors.
4. Sun & Earth The Good Clean Hand Soap
Best Natural Hand Soap
This USDA-certified biobased product is free of chemicals and dyes, which means it's not only safe for the environment but also for your sensitive skin—in fact, it’s hypoallergenic. Instead, it’s made from plant-derived ingredients, (think cucumber and sage) that you’ll feel good about lathering up with.
5. Safeguard Hand Soap
Best Bulk Hand Soap
This bulk package comes with 14 bars of antibacterial hand soap that claims to kill 99 percent of bacteria. The germ-fighting formula doesn't just keep your hands free of dirt and bacteria, either: It can also eliminate odor (like the garlic from last night’s salmon florentine) and keep your hands moisturized.
6. Dermakleen Antimicrobial Hand Soap
Best Moisturizing Hand Soap
If you're looking to refill your existing hand pump bottle at home with amazing antimicrobial hand soap, then give this one from DermaKleen a try. This hospital-grade formula will disinfect your hands after each wash, albeit without triclosan or harsh alcohol. Better yet, it’s loaded with vitamin E and essential oils galore for an added dose of hydration that will leave your mitts feeling smooth.
7. Care Touch Gentle Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap
Best Liquid Hand Soap
This three-pack of lime-scented antibacterial soap uses benzalkonium chloride to stop bacteria in its tracks while the coconut, aloe vera and lime nourish and hydrate your skin and leave it smelling great.
8. Greenerways Antibacterial Hand Soap
Best Vegan Hand Soap
This handy pack of hand soap contains four unique antibacterial bottles that are sure to fight harmful germs as you wash that are mildly scented with lavender, mint and citrus, as well as an unscented option. Each one is cruelty-free, vegan and free of harmful sulfates and parabens.
9. J.r. Watkins Foaming Hand Soap
Best Foaming Hand Soap
Made with plant-based ingredients, this foaming hand soap is cruelty-free and gentle on your epidermis. The foam creates a nice, rich lather, and it’s lightly scented with a zesty lemon that will be perfect for every bathroom in the house (or even near your kitchen sink). Beyond that, this high-quality product, comes six to a pack, contains ingredients that are safe for those who have sensitive skin.
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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.