These 13 Luxe-Feeling Hand Soaps Are the Epitome of Quiet Luxury

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(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

When it comes to essential products, there is perhaps no product more essential than hand soap. While we've all likely become intimately familiar with hand soap in the past few years, it has always been—and will always be—one of the universal staples in everyone's routine. 

Though there's nothing wrong with snagging the first hand soap you see at the drugstore (clean hands are the most important thing here), some hand soaps are superior to others. Consider how luxe it feels to go to someone's apartment and discover that they have fancy hand soap in their bathroom or how relieving it is to use a hand soap without hand cream after and not feel like your skin is tightening around your knuckles due to dryness. A good hand soap makes a difference. 

What to Look For

When choosing a hand soap, hydrating ingredients and gentle, effective formulas are key. "It is best to look for a hand soap that gently but effectively removes dirt, germs, and residue without stripping the skin of its natural moisture," says Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist. "It can help to use a product that also contains moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that help to leave the hands soft and smooth—even after washing—work to replenish moisture, and support the skin barrier." 

Best Overall Hand Soap

Best Hand Soap for Eczema

Best-Smelling Hand Soap

Best Hand Soap for Dry Skin

Best Scented Hand Soap

Best Antibacterial Hand Soap

Best Hand Soap for Sensitive Skin

Best High Street Hand Soap

Best Hand Soap for the Kitchen

Best Luxury Hand Soap

Best Hand Soap for the Bathroom

Best Bar Hand Soap

Best Perfume-Like Hand Soap

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

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Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.