A quality non-toxic hand soap effectively cleans your skin while protecting it from harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients.
Our daily environment presents a mix of beneficial and harmful substances. While hand washing might seem like a simple task, the negative health impacts of the chemicals found in conventional hand soaps can be significant, particularly considering how often we wash our hands. Choosing a non-toxic hand soap is essential; these products are gentle enough for the most sensitive skin types, making them an ideal choice for families.
Consider how frequently you wash your hands each day. As a stay-at-home mom, I find myself at the sink continuously, almost as if it’s my permanent spot!
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Mastering the Art of Hand Washing
Essential Hand Washing Techniques
Hand washing may appear straightforward, but how often do parents realize how easily they can get distracted after changing a diaper or filling up the car with gas? It’s easy to overlook proper hand hygiene during our busy routines.
Think about all the moments that can slip our minds—after sneezing, taking out the trash, treating a wound, preparing food, or even petting our furry friends. These everyday activities can lead us to forget vital hand washing.
I’ve stood in public restrooms, questioning whether others truly need to spend so much time washing their hands. However, after reviewing the CDC’s recommendations, I realize I might need to enhance my own hand washing habits—perhaps by singing the Happy Birthday song while I scrub, and teaching my kids to do the same!
Reducing sick days this year is a priority for me, and thorough hand washing is a key factor in preventing the spread of germs.
Recommendations from the CDC:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Make sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.
Personally, I tend to avoid air dryers in public restrooms, as they can spread bacteria. If paper towels aren’t available, it might be better to let your hands air dry or use a wet wipe instead of relying on an air dryer.
The Benefits of Hand Washing Compared to Hand Sanitizer
While soap and water are the most effective methods for eliminating germs, hand sanitizer can be a suitable alternative when soap and water are unavailable. It’s essential to choose a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol for optimal effectiveness.
Related Content: Top Natural and Organic Hand Lotions
Hazardous Ingredients to Avoid in Hand Soaps
1. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and may appear under various names:
- Paraformaldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Quaternium 15, which releases formaldehyde
2. Parabens (ethyl-, butyl-, methyl-, etc.) are a group of preservatives used to prolong the shelf life of personal care products. Unfortunately, they act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen in the body.
3. Triclosan is another harmful ingredient that acts as an endocrine disruptor, can irritate the skin, and may even affect reproductive health in both sexes.
4. Fragrances can often be a blend of harmful chemicals, including phthalates and parabens, both of which are known endocrine disruptors.
5. Ethoxylated Ingredients are non-ionic surfactants that could produce toxic byproducts like 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process. According to the Toxic Free Foundation database, these can be identified by prefixes such as “PEG”, “polyethylene”, “polyethylene glycol”, “polyoxyethylene”, “-eth-“, or “-oxynol-”.
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant that can become contaminated with harmful impurities like 1,4-dioxane, a recognized carcinogen. Additionally, sodium laureth sulfate can lead to skin and eye irritations.
Top Picks for Non-Toxic Hand Soaps
Aleavia Microbiome Friendly Hand Wash
Best Hand Soap for Dry Skin
Aleavia is known for its prebiotic plant-based skincare line. Their hand wash is rich in prebiotics that nourish and support the healthy microbiome of your hands. This microbiome-friendly hand wash includes organic oils and shea butter, ensuring your hands stay soft and silky.
Standout Ingredients – A synergistic blend of prebiotics
Cost – $12.99
Refills – No
Available Scents – Citrus Sea and Kelp, Balsam Winter (seasonal availability)
Review
I was thrilled when Aleavia introduced this product. It keeps my hands hydrated without stripping away the beneficial bacteria. It’s truly microbiome-friendly, just like their entire product line. The scent is fresh, and I appreciate how soothing and gentle it is.
Use code GGG15 to save 15% on your Aleavia order.
Follain Everything Soap
Best Multi-Purpose Hand Soap
Follain specializes in blending naturally potent botanicals with effective clean synthetics to address common skin issues. Their Everything Soap is a versatile cleanser utilizing coconut, jojoba, and olive oils to provide moisture to the skin. Essential oils give it a refreshing and calming aroma.
Standout Ingredients – Multi-use cleanser suitable for both hands and body
Cost – $24 for dispenser, $24-$28 for refills
Refills – Yes
Available Scents – Lemongrass and Lavender
Review
I have been using Follain’s Everything Soap for years. It comes in Lemongrass and Lavender, and I particularly enjoy the Lemongrass scent, which is delightful without being overpowering. Guests often compliment the soap when they visit. I buy the larger sizes and refill the glass bottles I obtained from Amazon. It works wonderfully!
Kosmatology Foaming Hand Soap
Best Foaming Hand Soap
Kosmatology prioritizes using only the highest quality organic oils and essential oils in their offerings, including foaming hand soaps.
Standout Ingredients – Crafted with organic components
Cost – $9.95 for dispenser, $30.00 for refill
Refills – Yes
Available Scents – Lavender Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Spearmint Rosemary, Unscented
Review
This was the first natural hand soap I found that truly performed well. I began using it nearly a decade ago, and I love that it’s a foaming soap. I appreciate their glass bottle options now. It contains the best ingredients without drying out my skin! All the scents are wonderful, and I enjoy their seasonal holiday options as well.
Blueland Foaming Hand Soap
Best Budget-Friendly Hand Soap
Blueland utilizes plant and mineral-based ingredients to effectively remove dirt and grime, while remaining gentle enough for all ages. Their foaming hand soap comes with a reusable glass bottle and a soap tablet, helping to reduce plastic waste and save space.
Standout Ingredients – Space-saving and eco-friendly
Cost – Starter Kit (includes forever bottle + 3 refill tablets): $18. Subscribe and Save for a discount.
Refills – $12+ ($2.25-$2.50 per tablet)
Available Scents – Iris Agave, Perrine Lemon, Lavender Eucalyptus, Pacific Mist, and Evergreen.
Review
This foaming hand soap set includes a reusable glass bottle and a soap tablet. Simply add water and the tablet to the bottle, and you have a delightful lemon-scented hand soap! To start, you can purchase the starter kit for about $15+, depending on your selected items. Once you have the reusable bottle, you can get hand soap for roughly $2.50 per bottle!
I appreciate the sleek glass bottle from a sustainability perspective, and it adds a stylish touch to my counter. The foaming aspect is great as well—no clogs in the pump, and I find foaming soaps tend to last longer than liquid soaps. Anyone else feel the same?
Related Content: Blueland Review (Non-Toxic Cleaning Products!)
Branch Basics Hand Soaps
Best for Sensitive Skin
Branch Basics is dedicated to helping individuals create healthy living spaces through their pure cleaning products. They offer two hand soap options. The first is their gel hand soap, which features ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and meadowfoam oil to nourish and hydrate the skin. The Concentrate is a plant and mineral-based formula that can substitute for various toxic cleaning agents, including hand soap when mixed with water in any of their refillable bottles.
Standout Ingredients – Fragrance-free
Cost – $45.00 for dispenser, $55.00 for refill (Gel Soap)
$5.00 for plastic, $15.00 for glass (Soap from Concentrate)
$55.00 for The Concentrate
Refills – Yes
Available Scents – Fragrance-free
Review
This gel hand soap is not only nourishing but also ideal for sensitive skin. I appreciate the minimal, clean ingredient list and the availability of refills. However, it is relatively pricey, which is my only downside. It’s fragrance-free, which may be a consideration for those who prefer scented products.
I also love that the hand soap made from the concentrate is a more cost-effective option. You can purchase the Branch Basics concentrate and use it to create all their cleaning products, including hand soap. This option is fantastic for those with sensitive skin as it contains only a few clean ingredients and is fragrance-free.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 15% on all Starter Kits (excludes the Trial Kit)
Related Content: Branch Basics (Tested + Reviewed)
Primally Pure Hand Soap
Best Luxury Hand Soap
Primally Pure offers thoughtfully crafted skincare sourced from both plants and animals. Their hand soap features botanicals that cleanse, nourish, and soften the skin, along with organic essential oils that create seasonal scents.
Standout Ingredients – Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties
Cost – $44
Refills – No
Available Scents – Cool Citrus Breeze, Sweet Floral Sage, Warm Citrus Spice, Crispy Smoke Woods
Review
This is definitely a more upscale hand soap choice! I love everything about it except the price. However, the luxurious bottle makes it feel worth it, and I enjoy refilling it. The formula is fantastic, providing moisture without stripping my skin. My favorite scent is Warm Citrus Spice, especially perfect for fall and winter. If you’re looking for a premium option, you will love this hand soap!
Use code GURLGONEGREEN10</strong
Sienna Blake is a licensed aesthetic consultant and beauty writer specializing in cosmetic surgery advancements and non-invasive treatments. With a background in dermatology and over eight years of industry experience, Sienna is passionate about helping people achieve confidence through informed beauty decisions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and regularly collaborates with top plastic surgeons to stay at the forefront of aesthetic innovations. Outside of her work, Sienna enjoys traveling, skincare research, and practicing Pilates.