Most people don’t wash their hands enough yet come into contact with bacteria and germs every time they handle money or shake someone’s hand. Kids coming home from school or something as simple as riding the metro can expose you and your family to a plethora of bacteria that only a quality hand soap can help to eliminate.
A lot of products promise to kill 99.99% of bacteria but there is more to the best hand soaps than that. The dispenser needs to be reliable and easy to use among other things so don’t just opt for the cheapest product. To help you make this important decision, we have created a list of the best hand soaps on the market to keep your hands clean and germ-free.
Quick Summary of Hand Soaps
Reviews
Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap Lemon Verbena
With this 3-pack you get plenty of soap (12 oz per bottle) that will last a long time and even though it is made from 98% naturally derived ingredients, it is still reasonably priced. This gives you the combination of value and quality that other hand soaps cannot offer. This is one of the best hand soaps for sensitive skin since the ingredients are plant-based and because it is made without parabens, DEA, sulfates, or phthalate. When you rub it into your palms it doesn’t have a greasy feel, only a pleasant herb lemon verbena scent. The formula is made to help rid your hands of dirt and germs and olive oil for moisturizing. Never tested on animals and made from a biodegradable formula, this is the best all-round hand soap.
- 98% natural ingredients
- Free from parabens, DEA, and sulfates
- Non-greasy feel
- Not tested on animals
- Good value
Dr. Bronner’s – Organic Sugar Soap (Peppermint, 12 oz)
Best Organic
One of the most popular hand soaps available and it comes with Dr. Bronner’s reputable name. The 12 oz bottle comes with a reliable pump dispenser to give you a handful of organic soap that comes in a variety of scents. You can choose from lavender, tea-tree, unscented, and peppermint and each one contains quality ingredients that are fair trade-friendly. This is more than your regular hand soap and can be used on your body, hair, as well as your face for an all-over clean. It contains organic Shikakai powder. This might be an ingredient you are unfamiliar with but it has several conditioning benefits for your skin and hair. It has a sweet scent but there are no synthetic preservatives or detergents so it is fine for sensitive skin and the bottle is made from 100% consumer recycled plastic.
- Can be used on skin and hair
- Bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic
- Organic and fair trade soap
- Can be a bit pricey for some people
Method Gel Hand Soap
This is one of the best value hand soaps and the six containers can be put in various rooms around your home to ensure that hands are always clean. It contains a lot of premium ingredients that are naturally derived so it is kinder on the skin than a lot of other brands. Never tested on animals and housed in a bottle made from recycled plastic it ticks a lot of the right boxes. The formula is paraben-free and comes in a variety of pleasant scents such as frosted fir, juicy pear, sea minerals, pink grapefruit, and many more. The anti-bacterial properties ensure it kills germs effectively and is easily dispensed via the reliable pump.
- Paraben-free formula
- Natural ingredients
- Bottle is made from recycled plastic
- Lots of fragrance options
- Not everyone likes certain scents
Puracy Natural Foaming Hand Soap, Lavender & Vanilla
Expect a natural foam from this hypoallergenic hand soap that is great for anyone with sensitive skin. They say that one bottle cleans 600 hands so expect it to last a fair amount of time where you can enjoy the pleasant lavender and vanilla scent.
Because it contains vitamin E and aloe vera it naturally softens the skin. Consider this, and that it is free from some of the toxic junk that low-quality soap is made from such as sulfates, SLS, perfumes, and harsh chemicals and you can see why a lot of families buy it. Cruelty-free so it is never tested on animals and reasonably priced for a hand soap that is made with various natural ingredients this is certainly a contender for one of the best hand soaps.
- Contains Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to soften skin
- Cruelty-free
- Creates a creamy lather that is kind on skin
- Consistency is a little watery
EO Botanical Liquid Hand Soap
One of the arguments against natural hand soaps is the price tag but you can get a good deal when you buy a 3-pack such as this one. The 12 oz bottles tend to last a long time and the quality is obvious when you look at the ingredients. The formula is paraben-free, non-cruelty, non-GMO, gluten-free, and stays clear of other ingredients you just don’t like to see.
It combines coconut for cleansing and essential oils for a pleasant aroma but is also tough on bacteria and germs. A lot of customers comment on how their hands feel soothed after using it which isn’t surprising as there are plenty of organic ingredients in every bottle.
- Lots of organic ingredents
- Contains essential oils and no synthetc fragrances
- Cruelty-free
- Can be a bit pricey for some people
Jergens Extra Moisturizing Hand Wash
It might not be the most natural in terms of the ingredients used but you get a great number of moisturizing ingredients at a reasonable price. As a pack of 3, it costs the same as a single unit from a lot of other brands so if you are trying to ensure each room in your home has a quality hand soap then it is a good option.
The cherry-almond formula creates a lather that leaves your hands clean and soft and has a specially tailored balanced ph level to remove dryness. The downside is the number of ingredients that are hard to pronounce but for those on a budget, it can be a good purchase.
- Good value
- Moisturizes dry hands
- Gives hands a thorough cleanse
- Not as natural as other products
Hand Soap Guide
Although we like to think we are good at remembering to wash our hands, even cleaning your countertop can mean you come into contact with harmful bacteria. The best way to ensure you don’t spread germs and bacteria between family members is by using a quality hand soap but they are not all made equal.
A lot of them promise the world but when you use it for the first time, they might smell like strong chemicals or are difficult to get out the container. To help you make a purchase that benefits your family’s hygiene, we have created our buyer’s guide so you end up with quality as well as value.
What To Look For In Hand Soap
Natural Ingredients
This isn’t always easy as some products claim to be natural but the majority of their ingredients are not. Also, 100% natural hand soaps often come with a steep price tag so you need to find a brand that offers a blend of quality and value. Anyone with sensitive skin should look for natural hand soap as harsh chemicals can make skin allergies worse.
Reliable Pump Dispenser
If you have been handling meat or have slippery hands you want to know that the first press on the pump will dispense a good amount of hand soap. Even some of the more reputable brands can be guilty of selling their products with sub-par pumps. The reviews will tell you a lot about how many people found this to be a problem but be careful as just because one or two people didn’t get a reliable pump doesn’t mean it is a common issue.
Cruelty-Free
A lot of people run a blind eye to this or just forget to check but it is always better to search for cruelty-free hand soap. Not every company will divulge such information which can often (but not always) mean they test on animals at some stage.
The brands with a clear conscience will often display it clearly on the bottle.
Versatility
When you want a quality hand soap, being able to wash your face with the same product might not be such a priority but it can be useful. Some brands can be used on both the skin and hair which can save you money on buying multiple products.
Pleasant Scent
This is one of the most important attributes when looking for quality hand soap as the fragrance is going to be on your hands after you have rinsed. Although some brands come up with some odd blends and mixes you know the sort of fragrances you like. It is best to ensure the scent is derived from natural sources such as essential oils and not synthetically made.
Most people know whether they prefer a creamy, fruity, or soft scent before buying.
Moisturizing Ingredients
The likes of olive oil and coconut oil will be good natural cleansers that moisturize the skin. Anything that contains vitamin E or aloe vera is good for ensuring your skin feels soft without the use of harsh chemicals.
Fine For Sensitive Skin
Typically, organic hand soap or a brand that uses all-natural ingredients is going to be best for sensitive skin. However, look for the words hypoallergenic, and products without synthetic ingredients and fragrances that can cause reactions. You also don’t want ingredients that dry out your skin so a well-balanced ph level will also help.
Unscented hand soap is also good for those who suffer from sensitive skin.
Anti-Bacterial Soap Vs Natural
Many of us see the words antibacterial and immediately assume it is going to eliminate all bacteria. They can be effective but are often no better than gentler soaps with natural ingredients.
Hand soap that cleanses but also leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized without harsh chemicals should be high on your list.
Different Types of Hand Soaps
Long gone are the days of having to choose between a couple of soap bars, hand soap comes in different forms. Each one has its benefits and liquid soap tends to be the most common.
You’ll find plenty of fragrance options with liquid hand soap and it easy to use. It easily finds its way into small places like under the fingernails where bacteria like to hide.
Gel soaps work in the same way and are often clear although be careful as they can be made from a lot of chemicals to make them this way.
Foams are fun for kids to encourage them to wash their hands more but will often need refilling faster. All of the above soaps are only as good as their ingredients as a quality foam hand soap is better than a liquid soap full of chemicals and vice-versa.
The Importance of Washing Your Hands
You wouldn’t forget to wipe the countertops of your kitchen when they are dirty and even after preparing food it is best to wipe them down. The same goes for your hands. After handling food, fixing a band-aid on a child’s leg, or shaking someone’s hand it is always a good idea to wash your hands.
The cleansing of bacteria and germs helps to stop the spread of disease and keep your family safe. Consider the fact that handling money can mean you come into contact with a staggering amount of bacteria, and that you can transfer bacteria into your body by simply rubbing your eyes, you get a sense of how important it is.
What Is The Best Hand Soap?
Everyone has a different budget but sometimes you need to spend a little more to get some extra quality. We found Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap Lemon Verbena to be reasonably priced but a product that is full of natural ingredients, a pleasant scent and cleanses and moisturizes at the same time.
The best hand soap is one that is mostly made from natural ingredients but one that is also affordable in your budget. If you can purchase a multipack to ensure you have a bottle in every bathroom then even better.
