10 Best Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)
We touch everything with our hands! Keeping them clean at all times is necessary for keeping ourselves and the people around us healthy. However, some people with sensitive skin can react badly to hand soaps with fragrance. Others just don't want our hands to smell. Fortunately, there are lots of fragrance-free hand soap options available on the market.
It can get overwhelming picking the right fragrance-free hand soap, but we've got you covered! We've put together the 10 best fragrance-free hand soaps. Our top pick is Free and Clear's Fragrance-Free Liquid Cleanser. It's a multipurpose hand soap that you can use for the face, body, and hands. Check out what other hand soaps made it to our 10 best. While you're at it, you can also go through our buying guide, reviewed by a board certified dermatologist, to help you decide which one to go for.
Quick List - Top Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps
Kiss My Face
Formulated With Olive Oil, Aloe and Vitamin E to Keep Hands Moisturized
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- Dr. Levy's Recommended Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good hand soap for eczema?
- Can hand soap be used as body soap?
- Is hand soap antibacterial?
- Check Out Even More Fragrance-Free Products
- Buying Guide Reviewed by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Lauren Levy
Why You Can Trust Us
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
How to Choose Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps
There are so many fragrance-free hand soaps available. How do you go about choosing one? Here are the things you should keep in mind.
Know the Difference Between Fragrance-Free and Unscented Hand Soaps
Do you ever wonder if there is a difference between fragrance-free and unscented products? As a consumer, it is essential to understand the difference between these two words.
When a product is advertised as unscented, this means that the product does not have a noticeable smell. However, it does not mean that the product does not contain any fragrance chemicals. The product can have chemicals that counteract other components' smells.
On the other hand, fragrance-free products do not use any fragrance components or ones that mask the scent in the product. But it is possible for a product marketed as fragrance-free to have a scent. If the hand soap is formulated with an ingredient with a natural smell, then it can still be fragrance-free.
Pay Attention to the Hand Soap Ingredients
Washing our hands is important, but it is just as important to know what ingredients are in these fragrance-free hand soaps!
Look for Effective Cleansing Ingredients
Our hands get in contact with so many things throughout the day that contain bacteria that might spread everywhere else and get us sick. Many hand soaps are marketed as antibacterial and contain chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, benzathine chloride, and chloroxylenol. These ingredients are effective but can be harsh on the skin.
However, according to the FDA, there is no proof that these work better than ordinary hand soaps. They confirmed that regular hand soaps remove bacteria just as well! Regular hand soap is just as efficient because these soaps are formulated with surfactants. Surfactants help in removing bacteria, germs, and dirt from the hands.
Many people notice that the soaps labeled as antibacterial really damage the hands. These are because the agents that are used to make the soap antibacterial damage the skin barrier and dehydrate the skin.
Just lathering up your hands with regular soap and water is actually an effective way to kill many bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The lather from the soap is created by surfactants, which also have an antibacterial effect.
Consider Going for Natural Hand Soaps
As mentioned above, hand soaps with antibacterial ingredients can be a bit too harsh on the skin. Fortunately, there are hand soaps available that are made with natural cleansing ingredients. These hand soaps are both gentle and effective.
The words "organic" and "natural" on products can sometimes be misleading. Make sure to double-check the ingredients! Some natural antibacterial ingredients you might want to look out for are essential oils such as thyme and oregano, which are known for their antimicrobial properties.
Natural hand soaps are commonly formulated with ingredients such as oils, nut butters, water, and lye (sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.) Natural hand soaps are good for keeping the hands clean and the skin nourished at the same time.
Tea tree is an all-natural antibacterial and antifungal ingredient. I highly recommend avoiding tea tree oil or other essential oils if you have eczema, though, since they can exacerbate this condition. Additionally, essential oils are a very common cause of contact dermatitis, and using them in soap can make you prone to contact dermatitis of the hands, which can be difficult to treat.
Stay Away from Harmful Ingredients
When looking for the best fragrance-free hand soap for you, you should also look out for harmful ingredients. Regularly washing the hands is essential, but it is also necessary to keep your hands healthy and nourished. Here are some elements that you should avoid when deciding on which hand soap to go for.
Some hand soaps might have harmful surfactants such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These surfactants can strip the skin of its natural oils and have other possibly adverse health effects.
Preservatives such as parabens are other ingredients you may want to avoid, with names like methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Also watch out for antimicrobial ingredients that might cause health concerns, like triclosan (which has been banned from most but not all soap products). Triclosan can weaken the immune system and disrupt hormone levels.
Keep an Eye Out for Moisturizing Ingredients
Handwashing can dry out the hands leaving them tight and itchy. Fortunately, there are hand soaps on the market that can help with this problem.
Look for moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, shea or cocoa butter, vegetable oils, milk, coconut oil, and vitamin E. These natural choices will give your hands a little bit more loving and effectively clean your hands while keeping them moisturized.
Ceramides are found in your skin barrier and help keep your skin hydrated. Look for washes with added ceramides if you wash your hands frequently. Over-washing can thin out and damage the skin barrier, which leads to dry and eczema-prone skin. Ceramides in your products can help repair the skin barrier even in those who wash often.
Choose Between Types of Hand Soaps
Fragrance-free hand soaps come in various kinds. Know what will work best for you and your preferences!
Bar Soaps Are Very Cost-Effective
Bar soaps are cost-effective because it is hard to use too much of it; a little goes a long way. Not only that, but the lather residue can dry back onto the soap. This means that there is less soap wasted. Plus, bar soaps are environmentally friendly because they use less plastic for packaging.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that going for bar hand soaps can also have disadvantages. One of them is that when bar soaps sit on a wet surface, they can collect more germs and bacteria. Bar soaps tend to get mushy when exposed to water. For these reasons, make sure to store bar soap on a dish that will allow air circulation.
I do not recommend using bar soap for hand washes. There are too many bacteria on the hands that get transferred to the bar, which can often sit for months before being completely used or thrown out. Bar soaps may be less drying than liquid or foaming soaps, but I do not find them as effective. My recommendation is to avoid bar soaps as hand washes in public places.
Liquid Hand Soaps Will Efficiently Clean Hands
Liquid hand soaps can easily be stored and put on top of sinks in the kitchen, the laundry room, and the bathroom. They are very convenient. They also tend to have a lower pH, which is better for gently cleansing the hands. These are even more suited for people with more sensitive skin.
However, unlike bar soaps, they are less friendly to the environment because they usually come in plastic packaging. It is also easier to waste a lot of product by pumping out more than you need.
Use Less Water and Have Fun With Foam Hand Soaps
Studies suggest that foam soaps might not be as effective and efficient as liquid hand soaps. This is because the soap comes out of the pump as thin foam, whereas with liquid hand soaps, it comes out dense, rich and creamy. This allows for liquid hand soap to cover more area with enough lather.
On the bright side, industry studies show that washing with foam hand soaps uses about 16 to 45 percent less water compared to liquid hand soaps. This is because foam hand soaps have sufficient lather even without adding water to create a lather before rinsing.
Another advantage of using foam hand soaps is that one can get more washes per bottle, reducing waste and adverse impacts on the environment. Plus, foam hand soaps can be fun to use! Consider both the pros and cons when choosing which hand soap you should go for.
Foaming washes tend to be very drying. I would stay away from foaming soaps if you have eczema or prone to dry skin or need to wash your hands frequently. Stick to a liquid cleanser, which although still can be drying, causes less of an issue than foaming soaps.
10 Best Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kiss My Face Fragrance-Free Hand Soap｜6 pack | | Formulated With Olive Oil, Aloe and Vitamin E to Keep Hands Moisturized | |
2 | Presto! Fragrance Free Bio-Based Hand Soap｜6 pack | | Bio-Based, Environmentally Friendly Hand Soap | |
3 | Nature by Canus Fragrance-Free Bar Soap | | Low-Waste Bar Hand Soap Enriched With Vitamins and Nutrients | |
4 | Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser | | Multi-Purpose and Fragrance-Free Hand Soap | |
5 | Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Hand Soap Refill | | PETA-Certified, Fragrance-Free Soap in Bulk | |
6 | Better Life Scent-Free Soap | | Safe and Green Hand Soap That Will Effectively Cleanse Your Hands | |
7 | Attitude Extra Gentle Hand Soap | | Fragrance-Free Hand Soap With Oatmeal for Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Kirk's Original Coco Castile Bar Soap｜6 pack | | Bar Soap Formulated With Simple Ingredients | |
9 | Gojo Green Certified Foam Hand Cleaner｜6 pack | | Foam Hand Soap That Will Gently Cleanse Your Hands | |
10 | Seventh Generation Free and Clean｜8 pack | | Hand Soap With a Plant-Based Formula |
Kiss My FaceFragrance-Free Hand Soap ｜ 6 pack
Formulated With Olive Oil, Aloe and Vitamin E to Keep Hands Moisturized
It's essential to keep your hands clean and free from germs; however, frequent hand washing can dry your hands out. Go for Kiss My Face's fragrance-free hand wash to avoid this problem! This product contains ingredients such as olive oil and aloe vera that will keep your hands moisturized.
Not only that, but it also has nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and botanicals to keep the hands healthy. However, some had a hard time making the pump work.
Despite this, many reviewers liked the product. They liked how it left their hands soft and moisturized every time they washed their hands. They confirmed that it was gentle yet thorough in cleansing the hands. And most say it has no discernible scent from the natural ingredients.
Presto!Fragrance Free Bio-Based Hand Soap ｜ 6 pack
Bio-Based, Environmentally Friendly Hand Soap
Presto is an Amazon brand. Their fragrance-free hand soap is formulated without dyes, triclosan, or phthalates. Not only that, but this product is also USDA-certified bio-based, meaning the product is formulated with ingredients that come from renewable biological resources.
This cruelty-free soap's packaging is also recyclable! However, some reviewers thought that the product might not be the best for sensitive skin despite being fragrance-free. It can leave their hands dry and rough.
Luckily, most buyers thought otherwise. They said that the product was efficient in gently cleansing the hands while keeping them moisturized. Reviewers also confirmed that the product truly is fragrance-free, and they love it!
Nature by CanusFragrance-Free Bar Soap
Low-Waste Bar Hand Soap Enriched With Vitamins and Nutrients
Goat milk is full of nourishing ingredients such as fatty acids, vitamins A and B, potassium, zinc, and selenium, and is great for keeping the skin soft and healthy. Moreover, this bar hand soap was made to cater to people with sensitive skin. The soap's mild ingredients help in keeping in the natural hydration of the skin.
Some reviewers noted that it left their hands very dry; however, a lot of reviewers loved the product. They confirmed that the soap works well and it makes a nice creamy lather when used. Reviewers who deal with eczema and hypersensitive skin found the product works well for them.
Multi-Purpose and Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
Free & Clear's cleanser can be used for the hands, face, and body. It is safe to use by everyone in the family. You don't have to worry about irritation, either, because the product does not contain harmful chemicals such as dyes, parabens, formaldehyde, or sulfates!
Some reviewers said that the product did not agree with their skin and might not be suitable for people with very sensitive or dry skin. Some wished that the pump was easier to use.
However, other buyers thought otherwise. They thought that the product was efficient and effective in cleansing the hands. They shared that the product was simple (in a good way) and kept their hands free from dirt without leaving any smell.
Ginger Lily Farms BotanicalsHand Soap Refill
PETA-Certified, Fragrance-Free Soap in Bulk
Stock up on hand soap and have it ready at all times with Ginger Lily Farm's gallon of fragrance-free hand soap. This hand soap will keep your skin clean and smooth at the same time. It is formulated with aloe vera, flaxseed, and citric acid.
Plus, you can rest easy knowing the product is free from harmful chemicals, parabens, phosphates, and sulfates. It is also PETA-certified, meaning it is entirely vegan and cruelty-free. However, reviewers shared that the product might not be suitable for people with dry and sensitive skin.
Others mention it's definitely fragrance-free but has a light natural smell some didn't like. Many tried it because they couldn't get their regular brand and were happy to find they liked this one even better! It lathers well and works great in a soap dispenser.
Safe and Green Hand Soap That Will Effectively Cleanse Your Hands
Better Life was founded by two dads who wanted to create a line of products that are both effective and safe. Their fragrance-free hand soap is one such of these products, made of natural ingredients such as aloe and vitamin E. These ingredients help in hydrating, protecting, and soothing the skin.
The soap is gentle on the skin and kind to the environment; it's biodegradable and safe for waterways and marine life! That's probably why many left good reviews on the product.
Reviewers shared how they loved that the product was both natural and effective. Some people who deal with allergies and sensitive skin found the soap suitable for their skin type.
AttitudeExtra Gentle Hand Soap
Fragrance-Free Hand Soap With Oatmeal for Sensitive Skin
Do you struggle with dry and sensitive skin? If so, this fragrance-free might be the one for you! This hand soap is full of natural plant, and mineral-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Not only that but it is also enriched with oatmeal to help relieve dry and itchy skin.
It is also EWG-certified, which means that it is absolutely free from harmful chemicals. You can rest easy knowing this hand soap is dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and does not irritate the hands. The product is also sustainable and biodegradable (ECOLOGO-certified.)
Some reviewers shared their not-so-good experience with the product. They said that the product was not suitable for their very sensitive skin. However, other reviewers thought differently. They said that the product was gentle and mild on the skin. Some reviewers who deal with eczema found the product suitable for their hands.
Kirk'sOriginal Coco Castile Bar Soap ｜ 6 pack
Bar Soap Formulated With Simple Ingredients
Kirk's has been around for about 180 years and they believe in making their products simple and effective. If you are looking for a straightforward fragrance-free hand soap, Kirk's might be the one for you!
This product contains five simple ingredients: sodium cocoate, water, glycerin, sodium chloride, and sodium gluconate. It is natural, hypoallergenic, and anyone in the family can use it.
Although the product is advertised as suitable for sensitive skin, some reviewers thought otherwise. They felt that the product was a bit too harsh for people with sensitive skin. However, other reviewers thought the product was excellent. It was simple, gentle, and works well in cleaning the hands.
Foam Hand Soap That Will Gently Cleanse Your Hands
Gojo's fragrance-free foaming hand soap is both gentle and good for the environment. This product is biodegradable and has been certified by EcoLogo and Green Seal. They made sure that their product was sustainable and efficient at the same time.
Some reviewers said that the foam it produced was too watery for their liking. Moreover, they thought that the soap pump can be further improved because it did not work too well.
Despite these comments, other reviewers thought that the product worked great. They confirmed that the product is very straightforward and it efficiently cleans the hands. Reviewers said that the product left their hands feeling cleansed and without scent, just how they wanted!
Seventh GenerationFree and Clean ｜ 8 pack
Hand Soap With a Plant-Based Formula
This hand soap is made with plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin. They are designed to effectively cleanse the skin from dirt while keeping them hydrated and nourished. Not only that, but this product is a USDA-certified bio-based product, which means that it is manufactured and made sustainably.
However, a few reviewers shared that the soap was too drying on their hands. This product might not be for those with more sensitive hands.
Despite these comments, other reviewers confirmed that the product has only a mild scent from the natural ingredients. People who suffer from allergies caused by fragrances, eczema, and sensitive found this product suitable for their skin.
Dr. Levy's Recommended Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
Vanicream products are my go-to recommendation for those with sensitive skin, eczema, or contact dermatitis. This soap is effective at cleaning but won’t cause further damage to the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Dr. Levy also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about hand soaps.
What is a good hand soap for eczema?
Dr. Levy advises, "If you have eczema, use a soap that is fragrance free. Many of the traditional antibacterial soaps are very harsh and drying and have lots of preservatives. For severe eczema, I recommend carrying around your gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Vanicream) and using that as your hand soap. Even though these are made for the face or body, they can definitely be used as hand soap.
Dove Deep Cleansing Hand Wash Sensitive Skin is also gentle, free of preservatives, and made specifically as a hand soap. If you do not have gentle products available and must use a harsher hand soap, then just be sure to moisturize and hydrate your hands after washing since use of soap or alcohol-based sanitizers can strip the skin of moisture."
Can hand soap be used as body soap?
"Since the skin on the hands is thick and tougher, hand soaps tend to be not as gentle as body or facial washes," Dr. Levy says. "I would not recommend using a hand soap as a facial wash; however, you could get away with using a hand soap in the shower in a pinch.
Hand soaps will dry out your skin more and often leave a film if not rinsed off well, so make sure to rinse it off and moisturize after use on the body. I do not recommend using a hand soap as a body wash daily, but it’s definitely fine for occasional use."
Is hand soap antibacterial?
"Most hand soap is antibacterial," Dr. Levy explains. "It will be labeled as such. The antibacterial agents are what make many hand soaps harsh on the skin. However, if you choose to not use an antibacterial soap to wash your hands, do not be alarmed. The lather from the soap and bubbles can kill a lot of bacteria, viruses, and fungi."
Check Out Even More Fragrance-Free Products
Some people just have more sensitive skin than others, and that's okay! Fortunately there are lots of fragrance-free products available on the market that cater to sensitive skin. Here are some suggestions for you!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Lauren Levy
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps
No. 1: Kiss My Face｜Fragrance-Free Hand Soap｜6 pack
No. 2: Presto!｜Fragrance Free Bio-Based Hand Soap｜6 pack
No. 3: Nature by Canus｜Fragrance-Free Bar Soap
No. 4: Free & Clear｜Liquid Cleanser
No. 5: Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals｜Hand Soap Refill
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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