We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Skincare Products The Best Moisturizing Hand Soaps that Clean Without Stripping Your Skin These editor-tested hand soaps soothe and prevent dry, cracked skin By Kayla Blanton Kayla Blanton Kayla is a freelance writer who covers health, nutrition, and lifestyle for Prevention, Everyday Health, People, and more. She's always open to conversations about fueling up with flavorful dishes, busting beauty standards, and finding new, gentle ways to care for our bodies. She thinks therapy is for everyone, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University with specializations in women, gender, and sexuality studies and public health. She's a born-and-raised midwesterner living in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and ornery tabby cat. health's editorial guidelines Updated on December 3, 2024 Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD Farah Khan, MD, is an allergist/immunologist that treats pediatric and adult patients in her private practice in Northern Virginia. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews What We’ve Updated Our Top Picks Our Testing Process Our Experts What to Know Who We Are Health Overwashing and cold, dry weather can easily leave hands feeling parched and scaly. And if you have skin conditions like eczema, hand soap can make them worse. In those situations, using moisturizing hand soap is essential. The best moisturizing hand soaps have ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and rich plant oils like jojoba seed, avocado seed, or rosehip oils, says Audrey Kunin, MD, celebrity dermatologist and founder of Dermadoctor. Glycerin, ceramides, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera are also great. Camille Howard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology, says natural, organic formulas are ideal because they fight germs without stripping skin of natural oils. An allergist and immunologist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy regarding what to look for in moisturizing hand soaps, which type is best for your hands, and whether or not it should be antibacterial. What We’ve Updated We’ve updated all picks in this list except for Best Foaming, Best Exfoliating, and Best Antibacterial Hand Washes with relevant newly tested products and with the recommendations of dermatologists. We also swapped out our Best for Sensitive Skin pick with the help of in-house testing by an editor with eczema. Our Top Picks Best Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar Best for Eczema: Avene XeraCalm A.D. Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar Best for Extremely Dry Skin: Method Gel Hand Soap Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash Best Budget: Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Best Foaming: Ulta Foaming Hand Wash Best Scent: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash Best Exfoliating: Ouai Handwash Best Antibacterial: Dove Antibacterial Hand Wash Best Luxury: Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand Wash The Editor's Take Over the course of my 15+ years as a lifestyle journalist and editor, I've worked at food publications with test kitchens and developed a lot of recipes. Working around food requires constant hand-washing, and you do not want to contaminate food with hand cream, so I know the importance of using a hand soap that won’t result in dry, cracked skin. But even if you only wash your hands a few times a day, the wrong hand soap can quickly strip skin. Not only are these gentle formulas recommended by dermatologists to keep hands clean while preserving your skin’s natural oils, but also for their hydrating ingredients that help restore and maintain soft, supple skin—especially important in the cold weather months. —Nicole Cherie Jones, Editor Best Overall CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar PHOTO: Amazon $8 $6 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $8 at CVS Why We Like It This affordable cleansing bar, which can be used on the face and body (hands included) is approved and recommended by multiple dermatologists we spoke to. It is well-loved because it’s fragrance-free, uses mild surfactants to lift away dirt, and contains hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to help keep the skin balanced and quenched. At such an affordable price point, you can easily stock up on a bar for every bathroom. And if you’re not fond of the solid type of hand soap, there is a (slightly more expensive) liquid cream version, too. It’s Worth Noting The bar may get your sink soap scummy if you don’t store it properly. Also, if you don’t rinse it properly, it could harbor gunk on the surface of the bar itself. Product Details: Type: BarKey Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acidScent: None Best for Eczema Eau Thermale Avene Cleansing Bar PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon $14 at Dermstore Why We Like It Our editor with dyshidrotic eczema (aka pompholyx)—a chronic skin condition which can cause itchy blisters on hands, fingers, or feet—was able to use and enjoy this cleansing experience from lather to post-rinse. In testing, the lather felt luxe and creamy, which left behind notable moisture. In fact, after using this soap we didn't even feel the need to reach for moisturizing cream like we normally do. Using this soap decreased skin itchiness, making it unlike any other soap they have used. It’s Worth Noting It’s a little expensive for bar soap, but we found the benefits worth the price. Product Details: Type: BarKey Ingredients: Thermal spring water, evening primrose oilScent: None Best for Extremely Dry Skin Method Gel Hand Wash PHOTO: Courtesy of Target View on Target Why We Like It Several dermatologists recommend this moisturizing, affordable gel formula because it uses plant-based cleansing ingredients to lift impurities and it provides hydration with vitamin E and aloe vera. Hannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist with Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery says it effectively cleanses without stripping away the skin’s natural moisture, leaving hands soft and healthy. The Method gel cleansers also come in a variety of unique and lovely scents that you can change depending on your mood or the season. There are also recyclable and refillable aluminum bottles that will look chic on any sink. It’s Worth Noting Because these soaps contain fragrance, they may be irritating to some. Product Details: Type: GelKey Ingredients: Vitamin E, aloe veraScent: Vetiver + Amber Best for Sensitive Skin Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash PHOTO: Amazon $12 $11 at Amazon $11 at Target $12 $11 at Walmart Why We Like It Dr. Kopelman recommends Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Wash, which can be used on the hands and body, because it’s gentle and contains soothing oatmeal, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin. It’s also sulfate-free, and you get 33 ounces in one bottle, so it’s a good value. It’s also dye-free, soap-free, and allergy-tested, which minimizes any chance of irritation. It’s Worth Noting The formula is lightly scented. Product Details: Type: Liquid creamKey Ingredients: OatScent: Light Best Budget Dove Sensitive Skin Bar PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon $12 at Target $12 at Walgreens Why We Like It Dove Sensitive Skin Bar is not only for using on the body. It works well for hands too, says Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of PowerYourCurls. It is fragrance-free, contains a moisturizing cream to help keep skin soft, it's free of common allergens, and has mild surfactants, he explains. Plus, at under $5 for two bars, it’s difficult to find a more affordable, skin-friendly hand soap. It’s Worth Noting Because it’s fragrance-free, it doesn’t have that classic soft Dove scent. Product Details: Type: BarKey Ingredients: Mild surfactants, glycerinScent: None Best Exfoliating Ouai Hand Wash PHOTO: ULTA $32 at Amazon $32 at Target $32 at Sephora Why We Like It The biodegradable exfoliating beads in Ouai Hand Wash are better for the environment and the minimalist bottle is aesthetically pleasing. Dr. Chacon recommends it because its formula sloughs away flaky, scaly skin without stealing moisture from your skin. It also contains rich jojoba, avocado, and rosehip oils that leave your hands so soft and hydrated, she says. It’s Worth Noting Exfoliation is not a must-have for hand soaps and may be irritating to some, which can make this a risky try, given the price. Product Details: Type: LiquidKey Ingredients: Jojoba oil, castor oil, rosehip oil, avocado oilScent: Dean Street Best Antibacterial Dove Nourishing Foaming Hand Wash PHOTO: Walmart $21 at Amazon $5 at Target $9 at Walmart Why We Like It This hand wash is antibacterial, but contains moisturizers to keep the hands from drying out. It contains a moisturizing blend of glycerin and sunflower seed oil, and doesn't rely on triclosan, a harmful antibacterial, to kill germs. Triclosan is considered highly toxic to aquatic life when it gets into our waterways, but also has been shown to negatively affect human health, including harming the thyroid and potential to cause cancer, explains Macrene Alexiades, MD, dermatologist and founder of Macrene Actives. And it's a steal: for $4, and you get 10.1 ounces of product. It’s Worth Noting Hand soaps don't technically have to be antibacterial to effectively get rid of germs. Product Details: Type: FoamKey Ingredients: Glycerin, sunflower seed oilScent: Dean Street Best Luxury Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand Wash PHOTO: Amazon $22 $16 at Amazon Why We Like It Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist in Manhattan recommends Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand Wash because it contains glycerin, goat milk, jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and shea butter, which hydrate the skin, support the skin barrier, and help to lock in moisture. Honey and aloe add additional soothing properties. No harsh detergents strip the skin or leave it feeling parched. Why goat milk? It’s high in lactic acid, which naturally and gently exfoliates away calluses or dry patches. The formula also has a nice lather and a light, enjoyable scent. It’s Worth Noting The pump dispenser can be finicky. Product Details: Type: LiquidKey Ingredients: Goat milk, shea butter, botanical oilsScent: Lilac Dream Our Testing Process To find the best moisturizing hand soaps, we researched options online, got dermatologist recommendations and conducted real-world testing on the best hand soaps for eczema, evaluating options for: Texture, or the experience of using the hand soap and how it felt against the skin.Fragrance, and, if there was one, whether or not it was enjoyable. Effectiveness, or how well the soap cleaned, noting if it did so without drying out the skin.Value, or if the soap seemed worth its price. Our Experts We asked the below dermatologists about the best ingredients and attributes to look for in a moisturizing hand soap: Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in MiamiHannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist with Kopelman Aesthetic SurgeryHamdan Abdullah Hamed, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of PowerYourCurlsHadley King, MD, a dermatologist in ManhattanMacrene Alexiades, MD, dermatologist and founder of Macrene ActivesAudrey Kunin, MD, celebrity dermatologist and founder of DermadoctorCamille Howard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology What to Know About Moisturizing Hand Soaps The Importance of Moisturizing Ingredients: Reading the ingredients label of your hand soap is crucial. When you do, look for hydrators like glycerin, and moisturizers like botanical oils and shea butter. Ingredients to Avoid: To prevent excessive dryness, especially if you wash your hands often, you want to steer clear from hand soaps with sulfates and alcohols, which can steal the skin’s natural moisture. Choosing the Right Hand Soap for Your Skin Type: If you have eczema or sensitive skin, you may opt for a hand soap with a minimal ingredients list that includes soothing ingredients like colloidal oat or spring water. If you have normal to dry skin, focus on hydrators like those listed above. Who We Are Kayla Blanton is a writer for Health.com with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a specialization in public health and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She's covered health, nutrition, lifestyle, and beauty for six years and has interviewed dozens of dermatologists about how to care for dry skin. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit