The 7 Best Moisturizing Hand Soaps of 2023
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Clean hands without stripping the skin of moisture.
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.
Brandon Kirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Chief of Dermatology for Naples Community Hospital, says that a product’s ingredients are more important than its form—moisturizing hand soaps can be found in liquid, foam, and bar forms.
“You want to avoid products with fragrances or dyes,” says Angela Lamb, MD, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice. “Additionally, make sure to avoid ingredients like alcohol, parabens, formaldehyde, or butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene.”
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 Dr. Lamb and Dr. Kirsch for their expert tips on how to keep your hands feeling soft and supple.
Best Overall Moisturizing Hand Soap: Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
What Stands Out
This gentle, unscented cleanser can be used multiple times a day without drying out the skin.
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 designed to be 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, so it's not as easy to buy as a drugstore soap.
Price at time of publish: $7
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera juice, honey, colloidal oatmeal | Size: 8.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented
Best Drugstore Moisturizing Hand Wash: Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash
What Stands Out
It's affordable 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 extra sensitive people. 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.
Price at time of publish: $4
Key Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 12 or 34 ounces | Scent: Clean
Best Liquid Moisturizing Hand Soap: Everyone Lavender Coconut Hand Soap
What Stands Out
This hand soap is free of dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.
What Could Be Improved
The scent is strong, so we wish there was an unscented option.
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.
To make it even better, 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. It also has a lovely scent of lavender and coconut, which is fresh and strong enough to detect.
Price at time of publish: $6
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, calendula, and chamomile | Size: 12.75 ounces per bottle | Scent: Lavender and coconut
Best Foaming Moisturizing Hand Soap: Dove Foaming Aloe and Eucalyptus Hand Wash
What Stands Out
A little goes a long way with this moisturizing foaming soap.
What Could Be Improved
There is no unscented option available.
Foaming hand washes are great if you’re looking for something that will feel substantial in your hands and go a long way. 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 Yogurt, and Warm Vanilla and Sugar Cane.
Price at time of publish: $4
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera juice | Size: 10.1 ounces | Scent: Aloe and eucalyptus
Best Moisturizing Hand Soap for Sensitive Skin: Attitude Sensitive Skin Natural Hand Soap
What Stands Out
This gentle formula is EWG-verified and free from irritating ingredients.
What Could Be Improved
It's expensive.
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’s 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.
Price at time of publish: $11
Key Ingredients: Chamomile and oatmeal | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Chamomile
Best Unscented Moisturizing Hand Soap: O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap
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.
Price at time of publish: $10 for 2-pack
Key Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin | Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Unscented
Best Moisturizing Bar Soap: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar
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.
Bar soaps can be just as moisturizing as their liquid and foam counterparts, as proven by this standout bar soap from CeraVe. It's 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. 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.
Price at time of publish: $8
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. Brandon Kirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Chief of Dermatology for Naples Community Hospital, 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.
There are also some ingredients you may want to avoid in your hand soap. 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).
Type
Hand soaps come in multiple forms, including foam, gel, and cream. There are even moisturizing bar soaps on the market. But 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
What's the best way to wash your hands?
Angela Lamb, MD, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, explains that the best way to wash your hands is by wetting them before applying soap. "Next, lather the soap, making sure to scrub your hands all over including the backs, between your fingers, and under your nails," says Dr. Lamb. "Scrub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse under the running water again and dry."
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," says Dr. Lamb. "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, “check the ingredients and choose a product based on what it contains, rather than whether it's liquid or solid,” says Dr. Kirsch. “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, a board-certified dermatologist and Chief of Dermatology for Naples Community Hospital.
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