The 12 Best Hand Soaps of 2023

published 18 January 2021

Recently, we've all gotten a lesson in intense hand washing. Counting to 20 while scrubbing away, constantly using hand sanitizer, and being more conscious of what we touch—you name it. And since we're still navigating living life with COVID-19 in 2023, we've got to keep up the cleanliness. Now that we have our germ-killing routines down to a science, we can think about making them a little more *luxe.* Sure, that might mean a hydrating lotion that smells like roses or a lemon-scented sanitizer, but we find that the easiest way to upgrade your cleansing situation is to invest in a new hand soap to use every day and make your sink look pretty.

We all have different skin types, and not just on our faces. Even our hands deserve a more personalized touch, and selecting a formula that works for you can make all the difference—especially since we're cleansing our palms ten times as much lately. Eczema Honey's wash works wonders for angry skin, Aesop's culty wash buffs away rough patches while you cleanse, and MyKirei's foamy formula softens the most sensitive skin. Or even if you just want something to chic up your shelfie and have guests wondering where you shop, there are glass bottles and pretty containers to add a little spice to a neutral bathroom. Here, the best hand soaps, rinses, and scrubs on the market to start off your year right—and thoroughly cleansed.

MALIN+GOETZ Eucalyptus Hand & Body Wash

For a Refresh

If you're not one of those people who hangs eucalyptus in your shower, this is the next best thing. The invigorating scent keeps your hands soft and smelling fresh.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap in Lemon Verbena

For the Kitchen

Mrs. Meyer's is a kitchen sink classic, and for good reason: it gets palms squeaky clean without stripping the skin.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

For Sun Worshippers

If your ideal setting is a Nancy Meyers-designed kitchen or a seaside B&B, we'd buy up a dozen of these. The bottle is gorgeous, and the formula smells like the sea breeze on a private beach.

Everyone Lavender + Coconut Hand Soap

For Every Day

The brand's hand sanitizer is coveted, and the matching soap is no different. The subtle fragrance makes for a spa-like rinse, even if you're just scrubbing down after a trip outside.

L'Occitane Verbena Shea Butter Liquid Soap

For cold climates

A classic option, and for good reason. The shea extract it contains will keep even the most wind-beaten skin moisturized.

C. O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Wash

For Lemon Lovers

The famed New York City apothecary isn't just home to pharmacy classics and luxe European exports—it also happens to churn out some delicious, citrusy hand wash of its own.

Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Wash

For Flaky Skin

This scrubby wash buffs away dry skin and smells like a Parisian spa. And how chic would that glass bottle look on your sink?

MyKirei by Kao Foaming Hand Soap with Japanese Yuzu Flower

For Green Consumers

This floral, skin softening foam from Japan is eco-friendly, too: Big refill pouches help keep household waste low.

Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash

For Rough Skin

This pumice-studded wash has a cult following thanks to its herbal fragrance and scrubby texture. Follow up with your favorite hand lotion before a DIY manicure.

Carthusia Aloe Vera Liquid Soap

For An Instant Vacation

Capri is known for its fairytale views and coastal cuisine, but its beauty game is just as strong. Carthusia, a local fragrance house, makes some of the chicest hand and body products we've ever seen.

Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

For Eczema

For those who suffer from skin conditions, all this COVID-spurred hand rinsing can cause major flare ups. This foamy formula is specifically formulated to ease your flaky pain.

The Laundress Hand Soap

For A Neutral Bathroom

The brand is known for its luxe laundry detergent, but their hand rinse is just as covetable. (And it looks fancy as hell.)

Taylore Glynn is a former beauty and wellness editor for Allure. Previously, she served as beauty and health editor at Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar, and her work has appeared in Refinery29, Town & Country, Compound Butter, and RealSelf. She holds a master's degree in English and Creative Writing from Monmouth University. If you need her, she’s probably at the movies, braising a chicken, or evening out her cat eyeliner.