8 Best Hand Soaps for Ultimate Moisture

Best Overall

For those with severely dry skin, particularly due to eczema or psoriasis, this hand soap offers the perfect balance of gentle and effective care. Eczema Honey's Gentle Foaming Hand Soap features aloe vera juice as its key ingredient (a well-known remedy for eczema), along with a blend of natural elements such as colloidal oatmeal, organic honey powder, and nourishing oils (coconut, palm, olive, hemp, and vitamin E). It’s free of dyes, fragrances, and phthalates.

This light, foamy formula rinses off effortlessly, leaving your hands clean and smooth without the dry, tight feeling that often follows traditional hand soaps. It comes in an 8.4-ounce pump bottle, with an additional 16-ounce refill bottle option available to help reduce plastic waste. You can use the refill to top up your original pump or any soap dispenser of your choosing. However, be aware that you can only purchase it directly from Eczema Honey or Amazon, so it's not as readily available as typical drugstore hand soaps.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera juice, honey, colloidal oatmeal | Size: 8.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented

Best Drugstore

For those seeking an affordable, drugstore-available soap, we recommend the Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash. It’s free from parabens and sulfates, but does contain fragrance, which might be problematic for those with sensitive skin.

The key ingredient in this soap is glycerin, a humectant that helps the skin absorb moisture from the air. It has a subtle "clean" fragrance, which isn’t overpowering. For a more noticeable scent, consider the Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla variant. Additionally, it’s easy to buy this soap in bulk to avoid running out.

Main Ingredients: Glycerin | Available Sizes: 12 or 34 ounces | Scent: Fresh and Clean

Top Liquid Soap

If you're after a hand soap that’s both natural and moisturizing, we recommend Everyone’s Lavender and Coconut Hand Soap. It's loaded with plant-based ingredients and is free of common irritants like dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and gluten. Instead, this soap uses natural moisturizers like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and white tea. Plus, it’s EWG Verified, meaning it meets high health and safety standards.

In addition to its hydrating properties, this formula contains vitamins E and B5. Vitamin E helps reduce inflammation, while vitamin B (often listed as panthenol) attracts moisture and locks it in, even helping to smooth rough skin by filling the gaps between dead skin cells. The scent of lavender and coconut is fresh and noticeable but not overpowering.

Main Ingredients: Aloe vera, calendula, and chamomile | Size: 12.75 ounces per bottle | Scent: Lavender and coconut

Top Foaming Soap

For a substantial and long-lasting feel, try this foaming hand wash from Dove. It’s formulated with their exclusive 5X Moisturizer Blend, a mix of five different skin-nourishing ingredients. Though the exact contents aren’t disclosed, the ingredients list reveals that glycerin is included to lock in moisture, while cocamidopropyl betaine helps create a rich lather and cleanse the skin.

Beyond the refreshing aloe and eucalyptus scent (which brings to mind a spa-like atmosphere), Dove’s foaming hand soap is also available in other delightful fragrances, such as Coconut and Almond Milk, Lavender and Rice Milk, and Warm Vanilla and Sugar Cane. Plus, it's easy to find at drugstores.

Main Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera juice | Size: 10.1 ounces | Scent: Aloe and eucalyptus

Best for Sensitive Skin

Those with sensitive skin often need to avoid many common ingredients in skincare products. This extra gentle formula from Attitude is a perfect fit: It’s hypoallergenic, vegan, and EWG Verified. Free from skin irritants such as synthetic fragrances and dyes, it includes chamomile and oatmeal, both of which are known for their soothing properties.

Although this moisturizing soap doesn’t have synthetic fragrances, it does carry a light chamomile scent, given its key ingredient. The fragrance is mild and fades quickly after washing. It’s also important to note that this soap doesn’t create a thick lather, as it avoids using harsh chemical foaming agents that can be irritating.

Main Ingredients: Chamomile and oatmeal | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Chamomile

Top Unscented Option

O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap is specifically formulated for those who frequently wash their hands. It’s an unscented option made with gentle and moisturizing ingredients. One of the key ingredients is cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut oil derivative that helps cleanse while providing moisture to the skin.

The hand soap also contains glycerin, a powerful humectant that helps lock in moisture. Additionally, sweet almond oil is included in the formula, leaving the skin feeling hydrated without any fragrance.

Main Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin | Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Unscented

Best for Exfoliation

Exfoliating products are ideal for dry skin as they help remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling smooth and soft. Ouai's exfoliating hand soap is an excellent choice, offering both cleansing and nourishing benefits. Unlike typical exfoliants that may dry out your skin, this formula uses biodegradable jojoba beads to gently exfoliate, while avocado and rosehip oil hydrate your skin. The soap is so moisturizing that the brand even considers it a moisturizer on its own.

This soap doesn't just leave your hands soft; it also imparts a fresh fragrance. The signature 'Dean Street' scent features delicate notes of citrus fruits, rose, and magnolia, making hand washing an enjoyable experience. With its elegant packaging and nearly recyclable bottle, this soap offers a touch of luxury, although it’s the priciest on our list. However, given its 16-ounce size, it may be worth the splurge if it’s not used as an everyday soap.

Main Ingredients: Castor oil, jojoba esters, rosehip oil, avocado oil | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Citrus fruits, rose, and magnolia

Top Pick for Bar Soap

Bar soaps can be just as moisturizing as their liquid and foam counterparts, as evidenced by this exceptional bar soap from CeraVe. Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and formulated specifically for dry skin, this bar contains a blend of three ceramides that help lock in moisture, along with hyaluronic acid to enhance skin elasticity. It’s even endorsed by the National Eczema Association, ensuring it’s safe for sensitive skin.

One of the greatest advantages of bar soaps is their longevity—they last much longer than traditional liquid or gel soaps, making them a more budget-friendly choice with less environmental impact. However, without a soap dish, they can create a mess on your countertops, and this option is priced higher than others. Despite this, it’s an all-in-one soap that hydrates without irritating, making it worth the extra cost.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides 1, 3, & 6-II; hyaluronic acid | Size: 4.5 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free

Final Thoughts

For the best overall choice, we recommend the Eczema Honey Gentle Foaming Hand Soap, a light, foamy formula packed with natural oils, skin-soothing colloidal oatmeal, and honey. If you need to stock up on hand soap (such as for guest bathrooms), the Dove Advanced Care Deep Moisture Hand Wash is a fantastic budget-friendly option. It creates a creamy lather and contains a variety of moisturizing ingredients.

Expert Tips for Shopping for Moisturizing Hand Soaps

Key Ingredients

When searching for hand soaps that won’t dry out your skin, it’s essential to examine the ingredients. Dr. Kirsch emphasizes that the components are more important than the soap’s form—whether liquid, foam, or bar. He suggests choosing soaps that feature hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, natural oils, shea butter, and oatmeal. Look for humectants that draw in moisture and emollients that soften and nourish the skin. Additional ingredients to keep an eye out for include hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol.

Along with beneficial ingredients, there are also those that should be avoided. Dr. Kirsch warns that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are harsh detergents that strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation. Products containing alcohol can also dry out the skin, especially when alcohol appears near the top of the ingredient list—indicating a higher concentration. Dr. Lamb also advises steering clear of parabens, formaldehyde, and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Soap Type

Hand soaps are available in various forms such as foam, gel, and cream, with even moisturizing bar soaps like the CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar making an appearance. There’s no definitive ‘best’ soap—it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people opt for foaming soaps because they last longer, while others enjoy the rich texture of cream-based soaps.

Liquid soaps can be placed in any soap dispenser that suits your style and needs, with options including automatic and wall-mounted dispensers. Bar soaps come in different shapes and vibrant colors, but they will lose their form over time and should be stored in a soap dish.

Fragrance

Dr. Kirsch notes that “Synthetic fragrances can irritate the skin.” He suggests choosing fragrance-free options or those with natural scents if you're sensitive. Natural fragrances are less drying than synthetic ones and can help hydrate the skin.

How can you identify if a product contains fragrance? Simply check the label for terms like “fragrance” or “parfum.” Some fragrance-free products may still contain natural scents derived from oils or plant extracts. If you prefer to avoid fragrances altogether, opt for fragrance-free hand soaps like O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Soap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are moisturizing hand soaps antibacterial?

You may be surprised to find that searching for antibacterial hand soaps is not recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that there’s no conclusive evidence suggesting that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular soap and water. In fact, using antibacterial soap could even contribute to antibiotic resistance.

How can I keep my hands moisturized?

Hand washing, often viewed as a necessary but skin-drying task, can actually be an opportunity to hydrate and lock in moisture—especially if you're choosing the right soap.

"One excellent tip to keep your hands moisturized is to immediately apply a cream or ointment after washing," advises Dr. Lamb. "These products help lock in the moisture."

Does liquid soap moisturize more effectively than bar soap?

"The moisturizing potential of a soap depends more on its ingredients than its form," explains Dr. Kirsch. "Liquid soaps often contain more moisturizing agents, and they typically have a higher pH level, which can be gentler on the skin. Bar soaps, while sometimes more drying, now come in many new formulas that include moisturizing ingredients and a balanced pH. Some natural and artisanal bar soaps are specially crafted to prioritize skin health with rich oils and butters that provide good hydration."

In the end, when selecting a soap, Dr. Kirsch recommends focusing on the ingredients, rather than whether the soap is liquid or solid. If you have sensitive or dry skin, consider doing a patch test with any new soap to monitor how your skin reacts.

Trust Our Advice

This article was authored by Brittany Loggins, a contributing writer for Mytour with a focus on lifestyle and beauty topics, alongside Nina Bahadur, a seasoned writer with over ten years of experience in health and beauty journalism. To compile this list, they conducted extensive research into hand soaps and moisturizing ingredients, evaluating options based on scent, formula, and components. They also consulted experts like Angela Lamb, MD, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, and Brandon Kirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chief of dermatology at Naples Community Hospital for their professional insights.