Washing our hands is always important, but it’s taken on new urgency during our pandemic era. Why not make it enjoyable with the best hand soap available?
After obsessively washing their hands while in lockdown, Vogue editors have found a set of go-to hand soaps that clean skin while also nourishing it. Some even provide a relaxing ritual with aromatherapeutic scents.
Of course, constant cleansing and sanitizing goes hand-in-hand with proper moisturization. Especially in the winter, a good moisturizer goes a long way to avoid drying your skin out completely. “Creams are better than lotions, and ointments work the best, but understandably might need to be reserved for bedtime use,” due to excessive greasiness, says Dr. Paula Bourelly of Olney Dermatology of her hand washing pro-tip.
Below, 27 picks for the best hand soap—from honeysuckle-infused liquid soaps to earthy-scented bar soaps—as beloved by Vogue editors.
Byredo Rose Hand Wash
Julie Tong, Vogue’s Senior Commerce Editor, treats her hands to this rose-scented wash. “During a time when I’ve never washed my hands more, this elegant Byredo makes every experience feel delightful and luxurious.”
Dally Barefoot in the Grass Hand Soap
“Never did I think I’d become as obsessive about my hand soap as my skincare and makeup, but here we are. I actually have more than one go-to hand soap at the moment—a real sign of these viral pandemic times—but my current favorite is the just launched Botanical Hand Wash from the husband and wife duo behind Dally,” says Vogue’s Beauty Director Celia Ellenberg. “Housed in adorable—and recyclable!–square bottles, the small-batch scents really set these objets for your sink apart. With every repetitive lather, Barefoot in the Grass’s hints of wild juniper, cypress, basil and eucalyptus offer a much needed moment of olfactory escape, which is exactly what co-founder Elizabeth Egan had in mind when she formulated the herbaceous blend. Says Egan, ‘If you have to wash your hands a gazillion times a day, you might as well enjoy it!’”
L’Occitane Shea Butter Liquid Hand Soap
Vogue’s Director of Fashion Initiatives, Alexandra Michler, goes for this L’Occitane formula. “With all of the handwashing we are doing these days, I appreciate a soap that has a bit of a moisture component. This solution is nourishing and has a soft, calming lavender scent.”
Archipelago Botanicals Coconut Hand Wash
Ivette Manners, Vogue’s Fashion Credits Editor loves this soap because “the soft and gentle consistency doesn’t irritate my hands when I soap up what feels like a million times a day. I have dry skin so this is really important to me,” she says. “I love the generous size of the bottle and the light, tropical scent keeps me daydreaming of an island vacation until we can safely travel again. It’s also botanical-based and paraben and phthalate free, so good for your hands all around.”
Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Vogue’s Fashion Market Editor, Alexandra Gurvitch, says she’s a huge fan of the Aesop Reverence hand soap “because of the pumice that exfoliates your hands, and it smells so fresh and soothing too.”
Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap
Vogue’s Managing Editor David Byars considers this his “favorite soap on earth,” because of its “clean, salty smell. It doesn’t feel feminine or masculine, just heavenly.”
Santa Maria Novella Liquid Hand Soap
“I don’t exactly remember seeing the basilica of Santa Maria Novella for the first time, but I remember smelling it,” says Mark Guiducci, Vogue’s Creative Editorial Director. “It was August in Florence—which is to say, hot as hell—but stepping inside immediately felt cool, fresh, and just vaguely floral like a springtime breeze. It basically smelled like nothing at all. I still love it.”
Byredo Suede Hand Wash
“For years, I have been an avid Byredo fan and recently got hooked on the Suede hand soap,” Vogue’s Head of Fashion Initiatives, Rickie De Sole says. “It comes in a solid soap bar but I am partial to the large pump bottle as it lasts a long time (despite constant use!). The soft scent lingers on my hands long after I am done washing them.”
Dial Soap
Jill Weiskopf, Vogue’s VP of Communications says this is her favorite because “it’s what my grandparents always used! I’m instantly transported to their Coney Island apartment, circa 1998.”
Santa Maria Novella Tabacco Toscano Soap
Fernando Dias De Souza, Vogue’s Innovation Director, says this is his favorite soap because “it smells so good to me, and my skin feels very soft after. Since I was a kid I always loved its scent, so it has a positive nostalgic feeling for me. I also find the packaging beautiful.”
Mister Green Hippie Shit Castile Soap
“I first discovered this fragrance a while back and have been borderline obsessed with it ever since,” says Chioma Nnadi, Editor of Vogue.com. “It basically bottles the smell of Palo Santo and summer camp fires, two scents I really adore. The hand soap is a newer addition to the line and makes hand-washing a gazillion times a day that much more inviting.”
Vermont Shepherd Sheep Milk Soap
“My friend Susannah gave these Vermont sheep milk soaps to me as a gift, and I’ve been hooked ever since,” says Christiane Mack, Vogue’s Chief Content Operations Officer. “They are natural and gentle, with just the right ‘soft n’ gritty’ bar soap texture, and they smell divine without being overpoweringly perfumy. Plus, there’s something satisfying about ordering blocks of soap, alongside wedges of cheese, fresh from a real 250-acre sheep farm.”
Sabonete Phebo Soap
“My fiance is from Brazil and he got me hooked onto this incredible soap from Phebo. Phebo is one of the oldest apothecaries in Brazil founded in 1930,” explains Taylor Angino, Vogue’s Contributing Editor. “Brazil is such a geographically multifaceted country and Phebo really showcases the abundance of the country’s diverse offerings. Whether you are in the mood for the tropical rainforest or the virgin beaches, as soon as you open the colorful vintage paper wrapping, Phebo takes you there and leaves your skin feeling baby soft!”
Shabondama Bubble Guard Soap
“I love the design of this Shabondama soap, made by one of the oldest soap manufacturers in Tokyo,” Ella Riley-Adams, Vogue.com’s Senior Beauty & Living Editor says. “Its foaming formula always leaves my hands feeling clean but not dry, and it’s scent-free so perfect at the kitchen sink. The best part is that you can also buy refills to avoid tossing the great container every time you want more.”
C.O. Bigelow Barr-Co Liquid Hand Soap
“I am a repeat purchaser of Barr-Co.’s original scented liquid soap from CO Bigelow,” says Vogue.com’s Visuals Director, Samantha Adler. “The scent sold me—it’s powdery and milky and sweet in a way that’s comforting in the winter and refreshing in the summer—and, most importantly, it doesn’t irritate my hands, even with excessive use.”
D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Hand Wash
“I lean on escapist scents to shake up my daily routine, which is why soap is not something I normally grab at the grocery store,” Vogue’s Editorial Business Coordinator Elisee Browchuck says. “I love testing out new handwash fragrances and formulas from local perfumeries, but D.S. & Durga’s Big Sur After Rain scent is the only hand soap that I stock up on. The calming eucalyptus mixed with hints of refreshing ocean mist transports me from my bathroom to the beach after every wash.”
Amass Four Thieves Hand Soap
“Amass’s ‘Four Thieves’ hand-soap blends together cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, and allspice,” says Vogue’s Senior Living Writer, Elise Taylor. “It’s a sublime-smelling combination and also a historically rich one: it’s said that those four botanicals were used during the Middle Ages to combat the plague. Suddenly, an age-old remedy has become new again.”
Le Labo Santal Bar Hand Soap
Vogue’s Contributing Editor Justin Fernandez loves this soap because “the warm, earthy scent is just enough without being overwhelming. I will opt for bar soaps just so I have the excuse to shop for a chic soap dish. Adds a little bit of style to the bathroom.”
Grown Alchemist Hand Wash & Cream Twin Set
“As a devout enthusiast of Grown Alchemist’s botanical bath and skin care products, it is no surprise that my hand soap preferences follow suit,” says Vogue’s Market Editor, Madeline Swanson. “With all the sanitizing and hand-washing going on as of late, I always make sure to opt for the twin set of hand wash and hand cream to keep dry skin at bay.”
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap
“I have a bit of an obsessive hand washing practice with special thanks to 2020,” says Vogue.com Producer Cassandra Pintro. “Because this soap contains olive oil and aloe vera, promoting the health of the skin on my hands, it’s always a market grab for me.”
Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Bar Soap
“I have sensitive skin, so religiously washing my hands has always been quite irritating—both because of dryness and certain soaps which contain harmful ingredients,” says Atalie Gimmel Vogue’s Associate Social Media Manager. “This soap is both gentle and moisturizing, and the texture of the oats feels so soothing. As a bonus, it lasts me a long time before I have to restock my supply!”
Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser
“This is is a real indulgence which is reserved for hand-washing chez nous,” says Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue’s Archive Editor. “The deep and dusky scent is intoxicating, and the word ‘geranium’ conjures for me the dreamy interior in Carl Larsson’s painting, Flowers on a Windowsill—an unbeatable combo.”
Detox Mode The Impossible Soap
Virginia Smith, Vogue’s Fashion Director, says, “I’ve stocked up on The Impossible Soap for the last few months. The scent is fresh but not overpowering—plus for each purchase Detox Mode plants a tree, so I’m in.”
Alaffia Everyday Shea Hand Soap with Honeysuckle
“This is the one hand soap that doesn’t leave your hands feeling dry!” says Naomi Elizee, Vogue’s Market Editor. “Some of the ingredients include Shea butter and coconut oil, which are known to be super moisturizing. Plus, these are sulfate-free!”
Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Wash
“Diptyque’s exfoliating hand soap is one of my favorites,” says Lexi Backer, Vogue.com’s Production Manager. “The ground olive stones leave my hands feeling velvety smooth—especially during the winter months!”
Blueland Hand Soap Duo
“I’m a big fan of Blueland’s sustainable, low-waste cleaning products and their refillable, non-toxic hand soap is no exception,” Willow Lindley, Vogue’s Accessories Director, says. “I love the lavender-eucalyptus scent most of all!”
Bath and Bodyworks White Barn French Lavender Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
“These days, I’m stocking up on essential oils more than ever,” says Clarissa Schmidt, Vogue.com’s Associate Producer. “I’m not only mindfully inhaling soothing lavender and amber with this soap, but I’m also lowering my stress levels and finding a brief moment of calm at the same time. Win-win if you ask me!”
