We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Skincare The 8 Best Moisturizing Hand Soaps of 2024 Clean hands without drying out your skin. By Brittany Loggins Brittany Loggins Brittany Loggins is a freelance contributor writing about relationships, mental health, travel hacks, and more. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Nina Bahadur Nina Bahadur Nina Bahadur is a writer and editor based in NYC who specializes in beauty, kitchen, and organizing content. Highlights: * Writing has appeared in SELF, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The New York Times, Health, SHAPE, Food52, and more * Former Deputy Editor for HuffPost Women * Former Deputy Culture Editor for SELF.com Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 21, 2024 Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig Shereen Jegtvig is an author, fact-checker, and expert with over two decades of experience in health and wellness within the lifestyle space. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / David Hattan Without a moisturizing hand soap, washing your hands can leave your skin feeling uncomfortably dry. That’s why it’s important to choose a hand soap that contains hydrating ingredients that nourish your skin. To determine which hand soaps are the most moisturizing, we looked at dozens of formulas and narrowed down the options based on type, ingredients, scent, and more. We also spoke with Brandon Kirsch, MD, board-certified dermatologist and chief of dermatology for Naples Community Hospital, and Angela Lamb, MD, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice for their expert tips on how to keep your hands feeling soft and supple. Our Top Picks Best Overall : Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best Liquid: Everyone Hand Soap at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Foaming : Dove Foaming Hand Wash at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Attitude Hand Soap at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Unscented: O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Exfoliating: Ouai Hand Wash at Amazon $32 Jump to Review Best Bar Soap: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar at Amazon $8 Jump to Review Best Overall Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap PHOTO: Eczema Honey $10 at Amazon View on Eczemahoneyco.com What Stands Out This gentle, unscented cleanser is designed specifically with eczema in mind. What Could Be Improved It's not easily available—you can only buy it online. If you have seriously dry skin, particularly caused by eczema or psoriasis, you need a hand soap that's gentle yet effective. The main ingredient in Eczema Honey's Gentle Foaming Hand Soap is aloe vera juice (a standout ingredient for eczema treatment), but it’s also packed with other natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, organic honey powder, and moisturizing oils (coconut, palm, olive, hemp, and vitamin E, to be exact). It contains no dyes, fragrances, or phthalates. The light foam formula rinses off easily, leaving your hands clean and soft without that harsh, dry feel you can get after using traditional hand soap. The product comes in an 8.4-ounce pump bottle, and there’s also a 16-ounce refill bottle available to cut down on plastic waste—you can use it to refill your original pump bottle, or a soap dispenser of your choice. Just note that you have to buy directly from Eczema Honey or Amazon, so it's not as easy to buy as a drugstore soap. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera juice, honey, colloidal oatmeal | Size: 8.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented Best Drugstore Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash PHOTO: Dove $30 at Amazon $5 at Target $4 at Walmart What Stands Out It's reasonably priced and can be purchased in bulk, so you can buy less frequently. What Could Be Improved It does contain fragrance. If you're looking for a soap that's budget friendly and available at drugstores, we recommend the Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash. It contains no parabens or sulfates, although it does contain fragrance, which could be irritating for those with extra sensitive skin. The standout ingredient is glycerin, which is a humectant that draws in moisture from the air to moisturize the skin. This soap has a "clean" fragrance to it that's not too strong—if you do want more of a nice fragrance, though, check out the Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla version. Plus, you can easily buy this soap in bulk so you don't have to worry about running out any time soon. Key Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 12 or 34 ounces | Scent: Clean Best Liquid Everyone Hand Soap PHOTO: Amazon $18 at Amazon What Stands Out It's free of dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates. What Could Be Improved We wish there was an unscented option available too. Looking for a natural hand soap that’s still moisturizing? We like Everyone’s Lavender and Coconut Hand Soap, which is packed with natural, plant-based ingredients and free of common irritants such as dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and gluten. Instead, this hand soap calls on ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and white tea—all of which help to add moisture back into dry skin. It’s also EWG Verified, which means it meets strict standards for health and safety. What's more, this hydrating formula also includes vitamins E and B5. Vitamin E helps ease signs of inflammation, while vitamin B (sometimes listed as panthenol), attracts and locks in moisture—it even fills in the gaps between dead skin cells so that the skin is left feeling much smoother over time. This soap also has a lovely scent of lavender and coconut, which is fresh and strong enough to detect. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, calendula, and chamomile | Size: 12.75 ounces per bottle | Scent: Lavender and coconut Best Foaming Dove Foaming Hand Wash PHOTO: Dove $16 at Amazon $4 at Target $4 at Walmart What Stands Out A little goes a long way with this moisturizing foaming soap. What Could Be Improved There is no unscented option available. If you’re seeking something that will feel substantial in your hands and go a long way, we recommend foaming hand wash. This particular formula from Dove contains its proprietary 5X Moisturizer Blend, which is a mix of five different types of skin nutrients and moisturizers. While the brand doesn’t share exactly what that blend consists of, the ingredients list notes that the formula contains glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine. Glycerin works to hold in moisture, while cocamidopropyl betaine helps create a rich lather that pulls impurities away from the skin. In addition to this refreshing aloe and eucalyptus scent (which is reminiscent of a spa), Dove’s foaming hand soap also comes in a few other options, including Coconut and Almond Milk, Lavender and Rice Milk, and Warm Vanilla and Sugar Cane. Plus, it's available at drugstores. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera juice | Size: 10.1 ounces | Scent: Aloe and eucalyptus Best for Sensitive Skin Attitude Hand Soap PHOTO: Amazon $15 at Amazon What Stands Out This gentle formula is EWG-verified and free from irritating ingredients. What Could Be Improved It's expensive and doesn't lather as well as other soaps. People with sensitive skin usually have to steer clear of many common ingredients found in skincare products. This extra gentle formula from Attitude checks all the boxes: It’s hypoallergenic, vegan, and EWG Verified. It’s free of all ingredients known to irritate the skin, including synthetic fragrances and dyes, and it contains chamomile and oatmeal—both of which are known for their calming capabilities. While this moisturizing hand soap doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances, it does have a faint scent of chamomile, since that is a key ingredient. That said, it is very soft and doesn’t linger long on the skin once the soap has been washed away. Since many foaming agents are made up of chemical ingredients that can be irritating, it's worth noting that this soap doesn't feel thick or lather very well. Key Ingredients: Chamomile and oatmeal | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Chamomile Best Unscented O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap PHOTO: Walmart $16 at Amazon $7 at Lowe's $7 at Ace Hardware What Stands Out It's fragrance free and moisturizes as it cleans. What Could Be Improved The pump on the bottle could be improved. Specially designed for people who need to wash their hands frequently, O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap is an unscented formula with ingredients that are gentle, moisturizing, and non-irritating. To make sure that the soap pulls all dirt, oils, and impurities away from the skin, it contains cocamidopropyl betaine, which is a derivative of coconut oil that also acts as a moisturizer. The hand soap also includes glycerin, which is a strong humectant that ensures the added moisture stays put. Another hydrating ingredient in this formula is sweet almond oil, which leaves the skin feeling moisturized without any fragrance. Key Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin | Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Unscented Best Exfoliating Ouai Hand Wash PHOTO: ULTA $32 at Amazon $32 at Target $32 at Sephora What Stands Out It simultaneously exfoliates and moisturizes. What Could Be Improved It's the priciest soap on our list. Exfoliants are excellent for dry skin, removing dead skin cells from the surface to deliver smooth, soft results. Known for its lavish hair and skin products, it's no surprise that Ouai's exfoliating hand soap is a hit too. Unlike other exfoliants that leave your skin feeling raw and dry post wash, this pick cleanses and nourishes, featuring biodegradable jojoba beads to gently remove dead skin cells and avocado and rosehip oil for hydration. In fact, the soap is so soothing that the brand compares it to a moisturizer itself. Not only will this soap leave your hands feeling soft, but it will also leave them smelling fresh. The soap's signature "Dean Street" scent includes subtle notes of citrus fruits, rose, and magnolia, adding an extra oomph to your hand washing routine. From its sleek branding to its (almost entirely) recyclable bottle, this soap certainly has a luxe feel to it, and it's by far the priciest hand soap on our list. However, since the bottle is 16 ounces, we think it's worth the splurge, especially if you don't make it your everyday hand soap. Key Ingredients: Castor oil, jojoba esters, rosehip oil, avocado oil | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Citrus fruits, rose, and magnolia Best Bar Soap CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon $11 at Walmart $8 at CVS What Stands Out It can be used on the body, face, and hands. What Could Be Improved It's expensive compared to other bar soaps and may cause a mess on your sink. Bar soaps can be just as moisturizing as their liquid and foam counterparts, as proven by this standout bar soap from CeraVe. In fact, this bar is fragrance free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and designed specifically for dry skin. It contains a blend of three ceramides, which lock in moisture in the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid, which boosts elasticity. It's even accepted by the National Eczema Association, so you can rest assured it's safe for sensitive skin. Perhaps one of the best aspects of bar soaps is that they last much longer than traditional liquid or gel formulas—making them a more affordable alternative that produces less waste. However, they can get messy on countertops without a soap dish, and this particular option is more expensive than others. Still, it's an all-in-one soap that hydrates without irritating sensitive skin, so we think it's worth the higher price. Key Ingredients: Ceramides 1, 3, & 6-II; hyaluronic acid | Size: 4.5 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free Final Verdict Our best overall pick for is the Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap, which is a light, foam formula packed with natural oils as well as skin-soothing colloidal oatmeal and honey. People who need to stock up on hand soap (like for guest bathrooms) should consider the Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash. This budget-friendly pick has a creamy lather and contains a variety of moisturizing ingredients. How to Shop for Moisturizing Hand Soaps Like a Pro Ingredients When looking for non-drying hand soaps, it's important to consider what the formula consists of. According to Dr. Kirsch, a product’s ingredients are more important than its form—moisturizing hand soaps can be found in liquid, foam, and bar forms. That said, he recommends soaps that contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, natural oils, shea butter, and oatmeal. Make sure that the hand soap has humectants (which draw in moisture) and emollients (which soften and hydrate skin). Other ingredients to keep an eye out for are hyaluronic acid and skin-soothing panthenol. Just as there are ingredients you should search for, there are others you may want to avoid. Dr. Kirsch explains that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are harsh detergents that can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation. Products that contain alcohol can also dry out your skin, especially if it's listed as one of the top ingredients—the earlier an ingredient is listed on a beauty product label, the more of it that product contains. Dr. Lamb adds that you should avoid ingredients like alcohol, parabens, formaldehyde, or butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. Type Hand soaps come in multiple forms, including foam, gel, and cream. There are even moisturizing bar soaps on the market, like the CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar. When it comes to choosing the best soap, there is no right or wrong answer. It depends on your preferences—some people prefer foaming hand soaps because they last longer, while others prefer the consistency of cream soaps. Liquid soaps can be kept in whatever soap dispenser fits your aesthetics and needs—there are even automatic and wall-mounted soap dispensers. Bar soaps come in a variety of pretty shapes and colors, but will lose their shape over time and should be kept in a soap dish. Scent “Synthetic fragrances can irritate the skin,” Dr. Kirsch says. “If you're sensitive, opt for fragrance-free products or those with natural fragrances.” These are less drying than synthetic fragrance oils and can help nourish your skin. How can you tell if a product contains fragrance? Check the label for the words “fragrance” or “parfum.” Some fragrance-free items contain natural scent from natural oils or botanical extracts. If you prefer to avoid scented products altogether opt for a fragrance-free hand soap, like O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap. Questions You Might Ask Are moisturizing hand soaps antibacterial? You might be surprised to learn that it's not recommended to look for antibacterial hand soaps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence that antibacterial soap is more effective than regular soap and water. In fact, using antibacterial soap may even contribute to antibiotic resistance. What are some tips for keeping your hands moisturized? While you may think of hand washing as a necessary chore that can dry out your skin, it can actually be an opportunity to add and lock in moisture—especially if you're using the right soap. "To keep your hands moisturized, one great tip is to immediately apply a cream or ointment to the hands after washing," Dr. Lamb says. "These seal in the moisture." Is liquid soap more moisturizing than bar soap? “Whether a soap is moisturizing or not depends more on its ingredients than form,” Dr. Kirsch says. “Liquid soaps often contain more moisturizing agents. They also tend to have a higher pH level, which can be less stripping to the skin. Bar soaps can be more drying to the skin, but there are many newer formulations that include moisturizing ingredients and have a balanced pH. Some natural and artisanal bar soaps are crafted with a focus on skin health and include rich oils and butters that can be quite hydrating.” Ultimately, when you’re selecting a soap, Dr. Kirsch says to check the ingredients and choose a product based on what it contains, rather than whether it's liquid or solid. If you have particularly sensitive or dry skin, you may also want to consider doing a patch test with any new soap to see how your skin reacts. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Brittany Loggins, a contributing writer for Real Simple who specializes in lifestyle and beauty content, and Nina Bahadur, a writer with over a decade of health and beauty writing experience. To come up with this list, they thoroughly researched hand soaps and moisturizing ingredients. From there, they narrowed down the options based on factors like scent, formula, and ingredients. For expert tips, they spoke to Angela Lamb, MD, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, and Brandon Kirsch, MD, board-certified dermatologist and chief of dermatology for Naples Community Hospital.