7 Best Moisturizing Hand Soaps That Will Keep Your Hands Hydrated and Germ-Free

Whether it’s in the bathroom or the kitchen, we all wash our hands every single day—hopefully multiple times a day. But despite hand washing’s prevalence in our day-to-day lives, most of us don’t give it a lot of thought unless we’re dealing with dry skin from cold winter weather or more consistent scrub-downs to avoid sicknesses like the flu or coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Sound familiar? Then in addition to investing in a good hand cream, it’s time to upgrade to one of the best moisturizing hand soaps. These gentle soaps prioritize moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and oils in their formulas to ensure you’re not stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier when scrubbing away dirt and germs. 

If you think a gentler formula less effectively gets rid of bacteria and viruses, think again. A soap doesn’t kill microbes, but rather lifts it from the skin and washes it away. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says “there is no added health benefits to using soaps containing antibacterial ingredients.” In fact, the FDA even issued a warning in September 2016 that antibacterial soaps could no longer be advertised as a safer choice by businesses.

Basically, you can choose the best soap for your skin as long as you’re following the CDC’s guidelines on how to wash your hands—and for many people, that’s a product that offers serious hydration to combat subpar winds and zealous hand sanitizer applications. 

To ensure you’re getting the most out of your hand soap, we’ve found the best moisturizing hand soaps to give your skin the extra TLC it deserves. From the best anti-aging formula to an all-natural find, these soaps are about to make your handwashing experiences far more enjoyable. 

• Best for Dry Skin: Jergens Moisturizing Hand Wash
• Best Anti-Aging: ThreeMain Liquid Dish Soap
• Best Gentle: Everyone Hand Soap
• Best Budget: Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap
• Best Natural: Live Clean Argan Oil Hand Soap
• Best Scent: Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
• Best Bar: Pré de Provence Soap Bar

This heavy-duty hand wash is the closest thing you’ll find to regular hand cream in soap form. Its rich formula is enriched with Jergens lotion and hydrating powerhouses like mineral oil and glycerin, so your hands feel silky smooth but aren’t covered in greasy residue. Add in a super creamy consistency and delightful cherry almond scent, and it’s obvious why so many reviewers called this affordable pick their go-to—one 5-star reviewer from Australia stocks up every time she’s in the States.

Available at amazon.com, $6

Your hands are one of the first body parts to show signs of aging, yet they rarely get extra attention they deserve. This hydrating pick, which doubles as a dish soap, will change that thanks to a key anti-aging ingredient: hyaluronic acid. The natural humectant attracts water to the skin (so your hands stay hydrated) and boasts anti-aging benefits like increased elasticity and wrinkle reduction. Reviewers also love that the soap comes in a reusable aluminum container.

Available at amazon.com, $15

When one family had a virus overtake their home, this hand soaps prevented their skin from drying out even as they washed up more than 15 times a day—and if you look at the ingredients, it makes sense. The gentle formula ditches sulfates, fragrance, synthetic dyes, and phthalates in favor of natural ingredients like essential oils and botanical extracts. The final product is a hand soap that not only smells good, but leaves your skin’s moisture barrier in tact. 

Available at amazon.com, 3 for $20

This affordable find is proof you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth after regular washings. The creamy formula is infused with milk protein and sweet honey to ensure your skin never dries out. Reviewers with eczema and sensitive skin also found the moisturizing soap didn’t cause skin flare-ups or irritation. Plus, the price just can’t be beat at $1 per bottle. 

Available at amazon.com, 6 for $6

Between a vegan formula and 98% natural ingredients, you’ll feel good about lathering up with this clean find. It packs a collection of oils—including argan, grapeseed, and olive—for a wide range of essential fatty acids and antioxidants that work together to protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Naturally, reviewers are raving it’s “the perfect hand soap” and say it manages to leave your hands extremely clean without feeling like a desert. 

Available at amazon.com, $4

This luxurious pick might be the most expensive hand wash you ever splurge on, but reviewers say it’s well worth it. Not only does the almost 17-ounce bottle last eons, but it’s packed with hydrating oils that ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed but never dehydrated. Plus, it’s got an unbelievably intoxicating scent (a mix of rosemary leaf, cedar, and mandarin) that reviewers claim smells like a spa and lingers for hours.     

Available at nordstrom.com, $39

If you’re trying to reduce your waste, this shea butter-enriched bar should be at the top of your wish list. The artisanal soap is free of drying ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate and ethyl alcohols, so its creamy lather actually moisturizes and softens skin instead of stripping it. Available in 29 unique scents, it’s one of Amazon’s top picks with more than 1,300 perfect 5-star ratings.

Available at amazon.com, $5

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