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The best moisturizing hand washes are non-negotiable in our everyday routines. Especially with flu season kicking in, we’re constantly washing our hands, and the last thing we need is anything that strips our skin each time. So anything on our counter has to do more than just clean; it needs to intensely hydrate—we’re talking formulas loaded with glycerin, vitamins, and antioxidants that leave hands feeling softer than before you even washed them. Bonus points for beautiful packaging, a satisfying foam, and an enticing scent that actually lingers. Our editors have put hundreds of hand soaps to the test, and here are the ones we use every day—and think you should, too!
Our Top Moisturizing Hand Washes
- Hollywood Hands: Homecourt Hand Wash, $34
- Vine and Dandy: Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap, $48
- Foam Sweet Foam: Native Liquid Hand Soap, $6
- Moisture Maven: Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Hand Wash, $39
- Polish and Pamper: Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash, $46
- A Fresh Take: Grown Alchemist Revitalize Hand Wash, $39
- Hand Spa in a Bottle: Evolvetogether Restorative Hand Wash, $58
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Hollywood Hands: Homecourt Hand Wash
Homecourt
Hand Wash
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it’s worth it: Founded by actress Courteney Cox, Homecourt is all about making your space—and yourself—smell amazing. From candles to room sprays to hand wash, every product comes in six fresh, clean scents, each with its own personality. Cece, the founder’s personal favorite, blends cinnamon, cardamom, and vetiver for a warm, cozy “homeyie” vibe. The hand wash formula itself is just as thoughtful: argan oil and Australian hibiscus flower moisturize while coconut-derived surfactants gently lift dirt and debris, leaving your hands soft, hydrated, and lightly scented.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“I’m a sucker for anything that smells amazing, and Homecourt nails it every time. But what really gets me is how much care goes into the formula itself—the moisturizing agents leave my hands feeling like I just had a mini hand massage, not the usual winter dryness situation.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Australian hibiscus flower, coconut-derived surfactants, argan oil
- Scents: 6 (Cece, Neroli Leaf, Steeped Rose, Mandarin Basile, Cipres Mint, Balsam Fireplace)
Vine and Dandy: Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap
Flamingo Estate
Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap
Nordstrom
Flamingo Estate
Why it’s worth it: Flamingo Estate’s Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap uses avocado and olive oils to deeply hydrate, leaving hands soft and supple. But the real magic is in the scent: Wild tarragon and black pepper essential oils add a subtle, spicy kick that balances the fresh heirloom tomato notes. It might sound like “food in a bottle,” but the fragrance comes together more like a sun-warmed garden than a simmering soup. If fresh, green scents are your thing, this one will be your new obsession.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I've never fancied myself a herbaceous girl but every time I visit my parents (and it's spring or summer), I enjoy helping my mom pluck tomatoes from her modest backyard garden—so I guess I'm being converted! That, and as I get older, I've really gotten into fancy-ish hand soaps—it might see frivolous but they really elevate the everyday (every few hours?) experience. Obviously the chic glass bottle of the Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap is a selling point, but what's inside is arguably better. Avocado and olive oils give the formula that sensorial slip and leave my hands feeling baby-soft, even after a very thorough 20-second cleanse. (Sickness, stay away!) Before I lather, I like bringing my palms up to my nose and giving the soap a whiff. That little kick of wild tarragon and black pepper? A lovely pick-me-up anytime of the day.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: avocado oil, olive oil, tarragon oil, black pepper oil
- Scents: 1
Foam Sweet Foam: Native Liquid Hand Soap
Native
Liquid Hand Soap
Walmart
Native
Why it’s worth it: Thanks to glycerin, Native’s Liquid Hand Soap is gentle and won’t strip your skin—yet it still builds into a rich, foamy lather that leaves hands feeling clean and refreshed. It comes in four scents, with the gourmand Coconut & Vanilla being our top pick —it also mentally transports us to a tropical island, a plus especially in the thick of winter. Think a cocktail of coconut, pineapple, citrus, and vanilla with just one lathery pump.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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“I've been a fan of Native body washes for a while now (the Coconut & Vanilla scent is my favorite), so I was excited to hear that the brand was launching hand washes—andI have not been disappointed. I stuck by my favorite scent, and I love catching that sweet whiff every time I wash my hands. As great as it smells, it also leaves my hands feeling clean and soft—so wins all around.”—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin
- Scents: 4 (Coconut & Vanilla, Cherry & Vanilla Macaron, Lavender & Rose, Sweet Peach & Nectar)
Moisture Maven: Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Hand Wash
Youth To The People
Superfood Antioxidant Hand Wash
Anthropologie
Youth to the People
Why it’s worth it: Just like its editor-beloved face and body wash counterparts, Youth To The People’s Superfood Antioxidant Hand Wash is all about hydration and gentle cleansing: sodium PCA, a humectant that helps replenish moisture levels, plant-based surfactants to cleanse without stripping, and a superfood blend made with kale, green tea, and spinach extracts that are rich in antioxidants. Its signature scent has garnered compliments from ourselves and our guests, with notes of fresh greens, cedarwood, and black pepper. And, to top it all off, the glass bottle sits pretty on your bathroom sink.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“If you're like me and will buy Youth To The People's face wash just because you're obsessed with how it smells, I can't recommend buying the brand's hand wash more. With this massive bottle of soap (just over 13 ounces), you get months' worth of washes to indulge in the herbal, citrusy, peppery scent YTTP is known for. Every time I wash my hands, I'm not just getting clean with its soft, gentle lather—I'm having a full-blown aromatherapy moment that relaxes and refreshes me in equal force. In the colder months, I like to follow it up with the much lighter-scented Superfood hand lotion to prevent cracks and dry patches.”—Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sodium PCA, plant-based surfactants, green tea, kale, spinach extracts
- Scents: 1
Polish and Pamper: Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Aesop
Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Revolve
Why it’s worth it: Luxury is the name of the game with Aesop’s Reverence Aromatique Hand Soap. Fine pumice particles gently polish and refresh the skin, while the gel base delivers a satisfying cleanse. Notes of vetiver and bergamot give this formula that signature apothecary vibe—rather than your typical clinical-smelling kitchen soap. Other notable skin-care ingredients include 1,2-Hexanediol, a humectant that helps attract moisture, and coconut acid for a deep, thorough cleanse.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“When I see this Aesop hand wash in a restaurant or hotel bathroom, it tells me everything I need to know. This soap is fancy. It has a smoky scent that still smells surprisingly fresh. The thing that won my heart (and hands) is the fine pumice in the formula, so you get a spa-level hand scrub in addition to antibacterial protection. The result is smooth hands that will illicit comments every time you shake.”—Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pumice, coconut acid, 1, 2-Hexanediol
- Scents: 1
A Fresh Take: Grown Alchemist Revitalize Hand Wash
Grown Alchemist
Revitalize Hand Wash
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it’s worth it: Few things feel as good as coming home after a long day and washing your hands with Grown Alchemist’s Revitalize Hand Wash. You won’t find any harsh irritants here—just soft, smooth hands after every rinse. Natural surfactants create a gentle, low-foam lather that cleanses without stripping, while cedarwood, ylang-ylang, and tangerine essential oils leave behind a subtly fresh, spa-like scent.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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“This hand wash is the epitome of luxury. It's quickly become a household favorite in my family—each time someone washes their hands at my home, they compliment the long-lasting scent! Each wash is very hydrating and gentle as well."—Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: natural surfactants, essential oils
- Scents: 1
Hand Spa in a Bottle: Evolvetogether Restorative Hand Wash
Evolvetogether
Restorative Hand Wash
Bluemercury
Credo Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Available in four subtle fragrances, Evolvetogether’s Restorative Hand Wash doesn’t just smell incredible—it feels like a soft dream between your fingers. The formula features a moisturizing complex with betaine, glycerin, amino acids, and an antioxidant complex to deliver deep, lasting hydration, while reinforcing your skin’s natural barrier against environmental stressors. Plus, it comes in a sleek glass bottle designed to be reused with the brand’s refill system—because good habits should look (and feel) this good.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“I’ve always paid attention to the small touches that make a space feel like a home. This hand wash is one of them. One pump of the gel (in this gorgeous and durable glass bottle) foams up to cleanse (but not strip) skin. It leaves behind a gorgeous scent, one that’ll make you and your guests say ‘ahh’ and feel like you’ve used something special.”—Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: betaine, glycerin, amino acids,
- Scents: 3 (Monaco, Taormina, Havana)
Smell You Later: Naomi After Cooking Hand Scrub
Naomi
After Cooking Hand Scrub
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: For the home chefs of the group, have you ever wished for a soap that instantly erases the scent of whatever you’ve been cooking (looking at you, garlic and onion)? Created by chefs who know the struggle, Naomi’s After Cooking Hand Scrub uses bread yeast enzymes to break down tough odors like garlic and seafood. The scent is just as refreshing, with bergamot, black peppercorn, sandalwood, and ginger for that crisp, just-washed feeling. Plus, fine volcanic rock offers gentle exfoliation without dryness, while olive oil esters and vitamin E leave hands soft, smooth, and perfectly moisturized.
Tester feedback from Wohlner
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“I’m always in the kitchen, and after cutting up garlic or onions, I feel like the smell never fully goes away. So when I got a pitch about a hand wash that neutralizes lingering food odors, I was immediately intrigued. Fast-forward to now, and it’s the only soap I keep by my kitchen sink—not just because it smells incredible, but because it actually works to erase stubborn scents. Plus, the formula has crushed volcanic rock for a gentle exfoliation that cleans without stripping.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bread yeast enzymes, olive oil esters, jojoba esters, vitamin E
- Scents: 3 (Cardamom & Iris, Bergamot & Pepper, No Fragance)
California, Bottled: D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Hand Soap
D.S. & Durga
Big Sur After Rain Hand Soap
Revolve
Bluemercury
Why we love it: Driving along Big Sur—the rugged stretch of California coastline where rivers wind through misty mountains—is what we’d call a perfect day. And while nothing beats the real thing, D.S. & Durga’s Big Sur After Rain Hand Wash comes pretty close. With its fresh, rain-soaked florals and the soft, heady scent of fog rolling in from the sea, it’s the kind of fragrance that makes washing your hands feel like a mini escape. Antioxidant-rich apple fruit extract, plus vitamin E and glycerin, keep your skin hydrated while you soak in the sensory experience.
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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“This hand soap is just luscious. It comes out nice and thick, more like a gel cream texture than a runny liquid soap. The lather is lovely, and doesn't leave my hands feeling incredibly dry. Plus, Big Sur After Rain—an invigorating blend of eucalyptus, magnolia, and the essence of coastal rain—is one of my favorite fragrances of all time, and it's particularly nice for hand soap. It smells like a fancy spa in the middle of a jungle.”—Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: apple fruit extract, glycerin, vitamin E
- Scents: 4 (Eucalyptus, Magnolia, Wet Wood, Pacific spray)
Provence in Your Palm: Compagnie de Provence Liquid Marseille Soap in Noir Black Tea
Compagnie de Provence
Liquid Marseille Soap in Noir Black Tea
Amazon
Why we love it: Inspired by the centuries-old tradition of soap-making in Marseille, the 2025 Best of Beauty-winning Compagnie de Provence’s Liquid Marseille Soap brings a touch of the French Riviera straight to your sink. The sulfate-free formula is still crafted the old-fashioned way—boiled in a cauldron—then infused with skin-loving oils like coconut, olive, and sweet almond to cleanse without a hint of dryness. It lathers into a soft, creamy foam, and all of the brand’s scents leave behind the kind of elegant, sun-warmed scent that makes washing your hands feel like a small luxury.
Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan
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"A nice hand soap is a simple luxury often looked over until you experience it again and realize it's actually a necessity. The Noir Black Tea scent is my personal favorite and not just because of its beautiful, sleek, matte black packaging." —Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate
More to know
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- Key ingredients: coconut, olive, and sweet almond oil
- Scents: 1
Five-Star Clean: Hotel Lobby Hand Wash
Hotel Lobby Candle
Hand Wash
Neiman Marcus
Hotel Lobby
Why it’s worth it: Best known for its candles, Hotel Lobby has mastered the art of making your home smell like a five-star stay—and now, the brand’s hand washes bring that same luxury to your sink. Available in four sophisticated scents, each formula blends glycerin, aloe, and jojoba oil to hydrate and soften hands as you lather. It’s a foamy, fragrant dream that looks chic on your counter and will have guests asking, “Wait, what soap is this?”
Tester feedback from Wohlner
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“I have more hand soaps than I can count, but the moment I saw Hotel Lobby’s fluted clear packaging, I had to tear it open and try it. Weeks later, it’s still sitting on my bathroom sink, and I genuinely look forward to using it every time. I have the Signature Scent, which leans warm and ambery, but since I’m obsessed with all of their candles, I can only imagine the rest of their hand wash line smells just as divine.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, aloe, jojoba oil
- Scent: 4
Frequently Asked Questions
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best moisturizing hand washes, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
