We all use soap multiple times a day. Keeping our hands clean is important to prevent the spread of dirt, disease, and germs, which keeps us and those around us clean and healthy. One of the main reasons why liquid hand soap is preferred to soap bars is because the bottle pump allows the soap to remain uncontaminated by our hands, making it the more hygienic alternative.
However, keeping our hands germ-free is not enough. Since we use soap frequently, we need to make sure that our liquid hand soap is suitable for our skin type, as well as to the environment. The best liquid hand soaps are those that get rid of germs and at the same time moisturize and nourish the dry skin on our hands. That’s why rather than choosing a strong antimicrobial, disinfectant soap (which can be harsh on the skin), a number of more natural alternatives can keep our hands clean without causing dryness or allowing chemicals to seep into the skin.
Since we all have varying needs, preferences, and expectations from our liquid hand soap, in addition to our list of reviews we have also prepared a handy buying guide, which will go over factors such as skin type and washing habits , ingredients , price, environmental concern, fragrance preferences.
- Our All-Around Favorite: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap
- Best Natural Scent: Method Gel Sweet Water Hand Soap
- Best Budget Buy: Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
- Best Moisturizer: Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap
- Top Value for Money: Mrs. Meyer´s Clean Day Hand Soap
In This Guide
- 1. Our All-Around Favorite: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap
- 2. Best Natural Scent: Method Gel Sweet Water Hand Soap
- 3. Best Budget Buy: Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
- 4. Best Moisturizer: Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap
- 5. Top Value for Money: Mrs. Meyer´s Clean Day Hand Soap
- Conclusion
- Buying Guide
- What’s Next?
1. Our All-Around Favorite: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap
Our first recommendation is also our favorite, thanks to this soap’s natural ingredients, eco-friendliness, and moisturizing properties. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap is very gentle on the skin, which makes it great for users with dry or sensitive skin or for frequent washers. The nourishing composition also makes it great for someone looking for a single solution to all washing rituals, as it can be used for not only hands, but also face, hair and body. The nontoxic ingredients make it ideal for gardeners who care that they do not pass on any harmful chemicals to the soil after washing their hands.
Pros:
There are several reasons to love this soap. Firstly, the company’s commitment to environmental consciousness will make you feel like you can both take great care for your hands, and contribute to an ethical business that cares about the fair treatment of workers, animals, and the environment. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap, which is biodegradable, uses 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles for the product, while the company also follows standards of ethical sourcing and fair trade, and does not test on animals.
The other main reason why we love this soap is that it’s extremely moisturizing. Since it does not contain any harmful chemicals, it nourishes sensitive and dry skin, making it great for psoriasis on the scalp, and allergies to chemicals. The organic and vegan ingredients include oils from coconut, olive and hemp, and grape juice, making the soap soft and suitable for washing your face, body, and hair.
One of the best features of this soap is the subtle, pleasant fragrance, which comes in four alternatives: peppermint, lavender, tea tree, and unscented, for those who prefer no smell.
In essence, this liquid soap cleans our bodies while nurturing our skin.
Cons:
Although most users were happy with this soap’s results in moisturizing their hair, a few customers found the soap a bit too oily for washing hair.
Another thing to keep in mind about this soap is that as it is organic, it is on the pricey side.
2. Best Natural Scent: Method Gel Sweet Water Hand Soap
The Method Gel Sweet Water Hand Soap is another great choice for environmentalists and those with sensitive skin or frequent handwashing habits. The soap is made up of naturally derived ingredients, so that it’s non-toxic, paraben free, and biodegradable.
Pros:
One of the best features of naturally derived or organic products is that they are soft on the skin, as they are non-toxic.
Another reason to love this soap is that the Method Gel Sweet Water liquid hand soap is cruelty-free – no animals were hurt in the making of this product. Additionally, the bottles, like for Dr. Bronner’s liquid hand soap, are 100% recycled and recyclable.
Although this soap is not organic, the fact that it is naturally derived makes it good for the skin and respiratory system. Considering the expensive ingredients, this choice is good value for the money.
One of the best features of this soap is that it comes in many fragrance options, including coconut water, cucumber, French lavender, green tea + aloe vera, Honeycrisp apple, juicy pear, lime + sea salt, pink grapefruit, sea minerals, and sweet water.
Cons:
Although there haven’t been issues with the soap itself, some customers have found the pumps of the liquid soap bottles to be a bit problematic.
3. Best Budget Buy: Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
The Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap comes in a pack of six bottles, where each bottle is 11.25 ounces. It’s not made of natural ingredients, but it is a great budget choice, and a good option for those that do not wash their hands frequently or want an inexpensive alternative for their garage, guest bathroom, or other less-used rooms in their home.
Pros:
The Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap has a strong cleansing formula, and it’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria, including the most common types found in the household, S. aureus and E. coli. Unlike the other products recommended on this list, the chemical formula of this soap allows it to be a powerful disinfectant.
One of the best perks about this soap is that it’s quite inexpensive, so it’s great if you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to spend much on soap.
The soap is easy to rinse off, and it is not too harsh on sensitive skin.
Another reason to choose this soap is that it comes with a fresh citrus scent.
Cons:
As the ingredients of this soap are chemical and harsher than natural alternatives, it has the tendency to dry the hands. This makes it unsuitable for frequent hand washers, those with sensitive, dry skin, or eczema, as well as children.
Additionally, its composition does not make it environmentally friendly.
4. Best Moisturizer: Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap
A customer favorite, the Puracy Natural Liquid hand soap is 99.5% natural, which makes it a great moisturizer. The of non-toxic, hypoallergenic, vegan, gluten-free, biodegradable ingredients, along with the naturally fortified formula, make Puracy an ideal choice for sensitive, dry skin, people prone to eczema flare-ups, frequent hand washers, and children.
Pros:
One of the best features of this liquid hand soap is its natural makeup. It’s free of any harsh chemicals such as sulfates, triclosan, petrochemicals, perfumes, or animal by-products. Additionally, this product has been developed by doctors, so the formula is fortified with vitamin E, sea salt, and aloe vera, for the natural moisturizing and softening of the skin.
Another reason to love this natural soap is that even the vanilla and lavender fragrances come from essential oils, rather than from synthetic scents. The Puracy Natural liquid hand soap is strong enough to eliminate bacteria, yet gentle enough to nurture the skin.
Another reason to love this soap is that it’s environmentally friendly. It’s both biodegradable and cruelty-free, never having been tested on animals.
Cons:
Some customers that prefer the more common feel of a chemical soap have found the Puracy liquid soap too gentle.
Additionally, this product is on the pricier side.
5. Top Value for Money: Mrs. Meyer´s Clean Day Hand Soap
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap is another one of our naturally derived alternatives. Although it’s not organic, the naturally-derived ingredients are free of toxic chemicals, which make it a good choice for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. The hand soap comes in a variety of scents that you can choose from, which makes it an ideal buy for folks sensitive to smell. The soap is also a great choice for users who are looking for something more natural, but not too expensive.
Pros:
The price-quality ratio of the soap is quite decent, considering that 98% of its ingredients are derived from plants and essential oils, including aloe vera and olive oil to moisturize and soothe irritated skin.
One of the cool things about this soap is the variety of fragrance options, which include apple, basil, bluebell, geranium, honeysuckle, lavender, lemon verbena, parsley, pine, and rhubarb.
Another reason to love this liquid hand soap is that it is free of sulfates, parabens, DEA, and phthalate, which makes it biodegradable.
One of the best features of this soap is that it is vegan and cruelty-free , while the plastic bottles are recyclable (although made of only 25% post-consumer content).
Cons:
One concern that some customers have expressed is that they found the scent of some fragrances a bit too strong. Make sure you choose a scent that you would be happy with. Also, the price of the packs varies according to the fragrance choice.
Conclusion
What is the best liquid hand soap for me?
Now that we have gone over reviews of our favorite choices, it all comes down to this question. Our top recommendation is Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap, as it is very moisturizing, soft, and nourishing. Another thing that makes it a practical choice is that it is applicable to both body and hair, while it is easily the most environmentally conscious option on this list.
If you are looking for something which is on the natural side, but more affordable, then Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap is the right choice for you. If you are looking for something both natural and very gentle, possibly for skin suffering from eczema, the Puracy Natural Liquid hand soap is a great option. The Method Gel Sweet Water Hand Soap is another natural alternative that is ideal for those sensitive to smell, who also want to ensure that the plastic they are using is eco-friendly . Lastly, the Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap is a good standard choice, with the lowest price and high antibacterial properties.
To help you decide on the best liquid hand soap for you and your family, we have prepared a buying guide that covers the specific factors you should consider when choosing your purchase.
Buying Guide
Ingredients
The ingredients that compose your liquid hand soap are very important, as you will come in contact with them multiple times every day. This is why you may prefer to choose something on the natural side of the spectrum, which does not irritate your skin, or significantly damage the environment, which leads us to…
Environmental Ethics
If you find yourself concerned about the effects that chemical processes have on the environment, you can choose from one of our eco-friendlier options. Opt for something which is biodegradable, natural, cruelty-free, and preferably comes in recycled packaging.
Skin Type and Washing Habits
If you or someone in your household has sensitive skin, you should look into the moisturizing properties of the individually recommended products. A soft, nourishing liquid soap is also important if you wash your hands frequently. If you have naturally oily skin which is not sensitive to harsher soap ingredients or don’t wash your hands very often, you can opt for a less natural, strong, antibacterial, budget option. Additionally, if you have a job or a hobby which brings you in frequent contact with dangerous bacteria, you may choose to go for a disinfectant liquid hand soap.
Price
It’s important to care about your skin health and the environment, but we can’t always afford these ‘luxuries’. Decide on your budget constrictions when making your choice, as our reviews vary in price and composition.
Scent
Try to get a good idea of what fragrances you find pleasant, as well as if you prefer stronger or more subtle smells. If you prefer an unscented soap, some brands, such as Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap, offer such an alternative.
What’s Next?
We hope that our guide to the best liquid hand soaps of 2019 was informative and useful in your decision-making process. It’s always important to make a well-informed purchase, especially when you are choosing a product that you are in constant physical contact with.
If you want to learn more about each recommended product, you can always click on the title links, and check current prices, compare full feature lists, and find answers to any questions we did not cover in this review.
Check out our complete guide for more essentials!
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Enjoy the nourishment, scent, and cleanliness of your new liquid hand soap!
