Keep your hands safe and healthy with the best natural hand soaps for soft, smooth skin!
Did you know that a lot of traditional hand soaps contain harmful ingredients? It’s true! Your favorite hand soap might be doing more harm than good.
Plus, constant hand washing can cause dry skin and infections, especially if you are using a soap that contains toxic chemicals.Natural hand soap is just as effective, and it doesn’t contain all those toxic ingredients.
But which natural hand soap should you use? There are so many to choose from! And not all of them are everything they’re cracked up to be.
No worries, though! I’ll help you find the best natural hand soap for your family – and some that you should definitely avoid.
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Why Choose a Natural Hand Soap?
Traditional hand soaps are loaded with harmful chemicals that are super bad for your body and your skin. And if you have sensitive skin, dry skin, eczema, or allergies, these chemicals can aggravate your condition. But these chemicals can wreak havoc on the rest of your body too.
What should you watch out for? And what do they do to your body?
- Parabens – a preservative that prevents bacteria growth in cosmetics and personal care products. But it mimics estrogen when absorbed into the body and is suspected to be the leading cause of infertility.
- SLS and SLES – sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are used to create a foaming action in hand soaps. But SLS and SLES can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and hands, drying and cracking your skin.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – a synthetic detergent and surfactant used to condition the skin and increase the foaming action in hand soaps. It can cause an allergic reaction or dermatitis.
- Triclosan – a synthetic pesticide that has antibacterial properties. Triclosan has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, liver damage, cancer, hormone disruption, and the development of super germs.
- Phthalates – they work as a solvent or binding agent in skincare products. They also preserve scents and help them to linger longer. But Phthalates are known hormone disruptors and can lead to infertility, among many other things.
- Fragrance – a loophole in the cosmetics industry that lets companies use this one word in place of the ingredients that make up the scent of a product. Since companies don’t have to disclose their fragrance ingredients, they can use whatever they want! Phthalates can sometimes be found in fragrance ingredients.
These are the biggest offenders to watch out for, but there are so many more! Even hand soaps that are so-called natural can contain harmful ingredients.
It’s always best to read the labels when shopping for your skincare products. If you want to be an ingredient guru and take control of your health, check out my ebook on how to switch to clean beauty the easy way!
Start My Clean Beauty Journey!
How to Choose the Right Natural Hand Soap
When shopping for hand soap, first eliminate brands that don’t jive with your lifestyle. For instance, if you are living a vegan lifestyle, eliminate all hand soaps that aren’t vegan. If you are environmentally conscientious, you’ll want to look for a brand that is, as well.
Once you’ve eliminated products that don’t match your values, then you can start reading ingredient lists of products that interest you.
After you’ve found soaps that do not contain harmful ingredients, you can take it a step further, by looking up their rating on EWG or Think Dirty. You’ll want to go for the lowest rating on both.
If the product you are interested in has passed both of those tests, then it’s time to start looking at what ingredients they do have. You’ll want to consider things like shea butter, essential oils, natural oils, and fats. These ingredients all nourish your skin and combat dryness.
And finally, opt for a natural hand soap that has a scent that you just love! It’ll make washing an enjoyable experience.
FAQ’s
Got a few more questions? You’re not the only one! Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the best natural hand soaps.
Are All Hand Soaps Antibacterial?
No, not all hand soaps are antibacterial. And we don’t want them to be!
You don’t have to use antibacterial hand soap to kill germs. Plain old soap and water will work just fine. Antibacterial soaps have harmful ingredients, such as triclosan, and loads of other chemicals that we want to avoid.
Is Organic Hand Soap Better?
Yes, organic hand soap is better because it’s derived from plant-based ingredients, grown without the use of harsh chemicals.
Plus, organic hand soaps typically contain moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E, natural essential oils, shea butter, organic hemp oil, and other very easy to read ingredients that we all know and understand.
What is the Best Natural Hand Soap without Chemicals?
Oh, there are so many good ones to choose from! I’m including my top nine favorites in this list. I’d start with one of these, if I were you.
But if you really want to know, I like Everyone the best. Dr. Bronner’s is a close second.
But you really can’t go wrong with any hand soap from this list. None of them have chemicals in them and they are all great soaps! It really depends on what your needs are.
What is the Healthiest Hand Soap to Use?
Any natural hand soap from this list is going to be a great healthy option. I am very picky about what I put on my skin, and I only recommend what I would use myself. I won’t suggest any product that is going to harm either of us!
But, if I have to suggest just one, I’d go with Dr. Bronner’s. It’s an all-around great soap and it’s pretty easy to find in stores.
What is the Safest Liquid Hand Soap to Use?
A nontoxic, all-natural liquid hand soap grown from organic ingredients is going to be your safest bet.
Alaffia is a great nontoxic, natural hand soap, as is Dr. Bronner’s and Kosmotology. Again, pretty much any soap on this list will work beautifully for you. It just depends on your needs and lifestyle.
Top Picks for Natural Hand Soap
And now for the moment of truth! There are a lot of natural hand soaps on the market today, but not all natural hand soaps are created equal!
Like I said, I’m very careful with what I put on my skin, and you should be, too! These nine soaps made my top picks list.
These liquid hand soaps are all made from naturally derived ingredients, loaded with organic essential oils, and free from harsh chemicals. They have no artificial colors or artificial fragrances, and are either fragrance-free or have a natural fragrance. Most are cruelty-free as well.
These soaps are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. They leave your skin feeling soft and smooth!
You’ll also find some soaps that claim to be natural but are not. They are soaps you should avoid if you are transitioning to a clean beauty routine.
Alaffia Hand Soap
Alaffia soap cleans and nourishes your hands, leaving them feeling super soft and silky. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants and suitable for all skin types.
They make soap for the whole family! And they always leave my skin feeling soft and moisturized. My favorite scent is the lemon verbena I have linked below.
Ingredients:
Water, Coco Betaine, Lauryl Gglucoside, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Shea Butter, Palm Kernel Oil, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Lavender Oil, Salt
Cost: $4.99 for 12 oz.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap
I love the containers for Dr. Bronner’s hand soaps, as well as their price point and scent!
Just keep in mind that you’re pumping pure castile soap onto your hands, which can be a little drying. I often found myself needing some hand lotion after a few consecutive washes.
The soap does have a caramel color to it, which can be somewhat alarming the first time you use it. But it’s supposed to look that way; it’s made from sugar and organic grape juice.
The peppermint scent is amazing, but it also comes in lavender, lemongrass, and unscented.
Ingredients:
Organic Sucrose, Organic White Grape Juice, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Olive Fruit Oil, Organic Shikakai Powder, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, Organic Spearmint Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Cost: $10.99 for 12 oz.
Kosmatology Foaming Hand Soap
These soaps feel a little more luxurious and will make you excited to wash your hands! The scents are invigorating, and they leave your hands feeling super clean and so soft afterwards.
They come in a variety of scents, such as lavender eucalyptus, spearmint rosemary, orange, and grapefruit (my favorite!)
Ingredients:
Botanical Bliss
Aqua, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Lavender Essential Oil, Organic Eucalyptus Oil
(Other scents have other ingredients)
Cost: $9 for 8.5 oz.
Buy Kosmatology Hand Soap
EO Liquid Hand Soap
I love this brand for their hand sanitizers that I mention in my hand sanitizer post! They’re one of the few companies you can find just about anywhere that are actually clean and honest.
This particular hand soap is also owned by the company Everyone, which is why they’re so easy to find! I like to think of this as the same ingredient values, but with a classier take on scent and marketing.
Ingredients:
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Capryl Glucoside, Peppermint Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Organic Aloe Leaf, Organic Matricaria Flower Extract, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Levulinate
Cost: $9.99 for 12 oz.
Puracy Gel Hand Soap
Puracy Gel Soap leaves your hands feeling soft and smooth. No need to lotion afterwards!
It does have a dense, honey-like consistency, which can be a bit weird at first, but also a bit luxurious.
Speaking of luxury, they can be a bit on the pricey side, but I think they are 100% worth it. They also make soap products for the whole family and I’ve never been disappointed by Puracy’s performance!
Ingredients:
Lavender and Vanilla
Purified water, Lauryl Glucoside (Coconut oil-based cleanser), Coconut-based cleansers (Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Coco-Glucoside), Plant-based skin softeners (Glyceryl Oleate, Vegetable Glycerin), Diheptyl Succinate and Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer (LexFeel N5), Decyl Glucoside (Vegetable-based cleanser), Propanediol (Plant-based preservative), Ethylhexylglycerin (Biodegradable preservative), Coconut-based preservatives (Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Lavender Essential Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate (Plant-based water softener), Sodium Benzoate (Food-grade preservative), Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, Vanillin
Cost: $16.99 for 12 oz. pack of 2
Zum Hand Soap
I see Zum all the time at King Soopers (an offshoot of Kroger) and I love their ingredients! You can usually find them at the “natural” section of your grocery store.
Zum has a lavender scent, but with sweet balsamic undertones. It’s made from essential oils and natural plant oils, so you’ll not only love the smell, but you’ll love the way it leaves your hands feeling as well!
Ingredients:
Water, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance (derived from essential oils), Castor Oil, Salt
Cost: $7.5 for 12 oz.
Everyone Hand Soap
One of my personal favorites! I love that you can find this hand soap at most grocery stores. I currently have one of these at all the sinks in my house.
It’s made from coconut derived cleansers, which are super gentle and great for sensitive hands. It’s also full of organic herbs and Vitamins E and B5.
You can get it in rose and lemon, orange blossom and vanilla, French lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus.It has a bit of a gel consistency, but it foams and cleans very well.
Ingredients:
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Panthenol, Lavender Oil, OrangePeel Oil, Coconut Flavor Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Organic Matricaria Flower Extract, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Limonene
Cost: $13.52 for 12.75 oz.
Aleavia Hand Wash
If you suffer from extremely sensitive skin, you need to give this brand a try!I thought Aleavia soap was just hype, but I was pleasantly surprised! I feel like it really nourishes my hands and protects my skin.
When you constantly wash your hands, your skin is stripped of the ability to protect itself against invaders. Aleavia is packed with prebiotics, to keep a healthy microbiome on your hands.
Plus, it’s infused with organic oils and shea butter, to moisturize and give your hands a silky feeling after washing.
Ingredients:
Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera Powder, Dead Sea Salt, Acadian Sea Kelp, Citric Acid, Plant Glycerin
Cost: $12.99 for 8 oz.
UpCircle Hand and Body Wash with Kiwi Water
UpCircle is a unique company, in that it uses leftover natural ingredients, such as coffee grounds and brewed chai tea spices, in their skincare formulas.
The hand soap’s key ingredients, however, are mandarin oil and kiwi fruit water. It smells absolutely delicious. And it even comes in a pretty little glass jar!
Ingredients:
Aqua, Potassium Oleate, Potassium Cocoate, Glycerin, Kiwi Fruit Water, Lemongrass Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Juniperberry Fruit Oil, Peppermint Oil, Mandarin Peel Oil, Potassium Citrate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene
Cost: $18 for 8.4 oz.
Buy UpCircle Hand Wash
Natural Hand Soap Brands to Avoid:
Not all soaps labeled “natural” are actually made from all natural ingredients. Many soaps claim to be natural, or lead the consumer to think they are natural, but in fact, they have harmful, unnatural ingredients.
This is called greenwashing.
Who are some major contenders for greenwashing?
Mrs. Meyers
Many people think Mrs. Meyers is all natural, but it doesn’t make the cut, in my book.
The biggest reason is because Mrs. Meyers has the dreaded “fragrance” listed as an ingredient. And if you’ve been reading Essential Moves to Wellness for a while now, then you know that I absolutely deplore this ingredient!
Who knows what Mrs. Meyers puts in their hand soap under “fragrance”? Fragrance is considered a trade secret, so they could sneak anything in under that little loop hole.
Mrs. Meyers also has a few other concerning ingredients:
- Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
- Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
- Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
- Methylisothiazolinone
The first three ingredients are all surfactants and have no safety data, and the last is a known allergen, linked to skin irritations. Methylisothiazolinone has heavy restrictions on its use, and is even banned in Europe, Canada, and Japan
Mrs. Meyers gets a bad grade on EWG and Think Dirty, as well.
Method
Method is another hand soap people often think is all natural. But it, too, gets a bad grade on EWG.
Some concerning ingredients include:
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Lililal
- Tocopheryl Acetate
We already covered Methylisothiazolinone, but Lililal is an endocrine disruptor, among other things, and Tocopheryl Acetate has a high contamination concern and can cause irritation.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation actually receives a 2 from EWG, but it still doesn’t make it onto my list of good natural hand soaps.
Why?
Because it has a few concerning ingredients, all of which have restrictions put on their use:
- Decyl Glucoside – it can cause allergies and immunotoxicity
- Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate – it can cause skin irritation
- Sodium Benzoate – it can cause organ toxicity
I like to see more natural ingredients listed in my natural hand soaps. Seventh Generation used to have great ingredients in their products, but since they were bought out by Unilever, they really went downhill.
Just like other companies I mention in my greenwashing post, most products by Seventh Generation are a bit of a toss-up in terms of ingredients. Their hand soaps get a “C” grade in my book, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets an “F” in a year or two. You’re better off without!
ECOS
The orange blossom scent of Ecos hand soap scores a four on EWG, which is pretty high, for a natural hand soap. You want to look for one as close to one as possible.
All these ingredients have restricted use, but are in ECOS:
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – causes allergies and immunotoxicity.
- Phenoxyethanol – causes skin irritation and organ toxicity.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – causes allergies and immunotoxicity.
And of course, Ecos has the dreaded “fragrance”.
Final Thoughts on Natural Hand Soaps
And there you have it! Nine of the best natural hand soaps for you to choose from, and four that I’d avoid if I were you.
No matter which soap you choose, remember to use proper handwashing techniques. You don’t need an antibacterial hand soap – in fact, it’s better if you don’t use one. Just wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing in between your fingers and around your nail beds as well, and rinse!
That’s really all you need to do for clean, healthy hands!
So, give some of these soaps a try, and let me know your favorites in the comments below!
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