What we’re exposed to on a daily basis can work for us or against us. Hand washing may seem basic, but the adverse health effects that tag along with the chemicals in mainstream hand soaps are anything but basic, especially when you consider frequency of exposure. A good non toxic hand soap is easy to find and will be gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin.
How often do you wash your hands throughout the day? As a stay at home Mom, it’s continual, I might as well be planted in front of the sink all day!
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*Suzi (Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hand Washing 101
Hand Washing Tips
Hand washing seems self explanatory, but how many Moms know how easy it is to get sidetracked after changing a diaper or filling the car with gas?
How about after sneezing, taking out the garbage, treating a wound, preparing food, touching pets or pet food?
These are just some of the times that can get overlooked in the busyness of life.
I’ve stood by strangers in a public restroom and thought, do you really need to take all that time to wash your hands? After reviewing the CDC’s recommendations, I’m thinking that maybe I need to step it up and sing the Happy Birthday song as I wash my hands and teach my kids to do the same!
I want to reduce our sick days this year and thorough hand washing plays a vital role in stopping the spread of germs.
- 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. 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 well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.
I will say that I’m not a big fan of using an air dryer in public restrooms because they can spread bacteria. If paper towels are not available, you’re better off letting your hands air dry or using a child’s wet wipe than using an air dryer in my opinion.
Why choose hand washing over hand sanitizer
Soap and water is the best antidote to the spread of germs, but in those situations where soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Look for hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%.
Related Content: Best Natural and Organic Hand Lotions
Common Ingredients To Avoid In Hand Soaps
1. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and can sometimes be listed as:
- Paraformaldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Quaternium 15, which releases formaldehyde
2. Parabens (ethyl-, butyl-, methyl-, etc) are a family of related chemicals that are preservatives commonly used to extend the shelf life of skincare products. Unfortunately they are endocrine disruptors that can mimic estrogen in the body.
3. Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor, skin irritant, and can promote allergies. It also can impair reproductive health in both men and women.
4. Fragrances can be a chemical soup. They can contain phthalates and parabens which are known endocrine disruptors.
5. Ethoxylated Ingredients are non-ionic surfactants that can generate the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane and PEG’s as part of the manufacturing process. According to the Toxic Free Foundation database, they can be identified by the prefix “PEG”, “polyethylene”, “polyethylene glycol”, “polyoxyethylene”, “-eth-“, or “-oxynol-”
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant that can become contaminated with toxic impurities like 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen. Sodium laureth sulfate can also cause skin and eye irritation.
Best Non Toxic Hand Soaps
Aleavia Microbiome Friendly Hand Wash
**Best Hand Soap For Dry Hands**
Aleavia is a prebiotic plant-based skincare line. Aleavia’s hand wash is full of prebiotics to nourish and feed the beneficial microbiome on your hands. This microbiome-friendly hand wash contains organic oils and Shea butter so it will keep your hands soft and silky.
Standout Ingredients – Synergistic blend of prebiotics
Cost – $12.99
Refills – No
Scents Available – Citrus Sea and Kelp and Balsam Winter (seasonal availability)
Review
I was so excited when Aleavia launched this. It doesn’t dry out my hands and isn’t stripping them of the beneficial bacteria. It is microbiome friendly like all of their other products. The scent is so fresh and I love how soothing and gentle it is.
Use code GGG15 to save 15% off you Aleavia order.
Follain Everything Soap
**Best Multi-Purpose Hand Soap**
Follain specializes in combining naturally-potent botanicals with high-performance clean synthetics to treat common skin concerns. Everything Soap is a multi-use cleanser that uses coconut, jojoba and olive oils to moisturize skin. Essential oils are used for a fresh and calming scent.
Standout Ingredients – Multi-use cleanser that can be used on hands and body
Cost – $24 for Dispenser, $24-$28 for Refills
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Lemongrass and Lavender
Review
I’ve been using Follain’s Everything Soap for years now. It comes in Lemongrass and Lavender. I prefer the Lemongrass, it smells so good without being overwhelming. I always receive compliments on the soap when people come over. I buy the liter sizes and then just fill up the glass bottles I bought from Amazon. Works great!
Kosmatology Foaming Hand Soap
**Best Foaming Hand Soap*
Kosmatology uses only the highest quality organic oils and organic essential oils for their products including their foaming hand soaps.
Standout Ingredients – Made with organic ingredients
Cost – $9.95 for dispenser, $30.00 for refill
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Lavender Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Spearmint Rosemary, Unscented
Review
This was the first hand soap that I found that was natural and actually worked. I started using this almost 10 years ago. This is a foaming hand soap. I love that they offer glass bottles now. It has the best ingredients and it doesn’t dry out my hands! They have them in several scents-they all smell good! I love that they offer some holiday scent options too.
Blueland Foaming Hand Soap
**Best Budget Hand Soap**
Blueland uses plant and mineral-based ingredients to wash away grime and dirt, yet gentle enough for all ages. Blueland’s foaming hand soap comes with a reusable glass bottle and one soap tablet to eliminate plastic and save space.
Standout Ingredients – Space saving and plastic-free
Cost – Starter Kit: (forever bottle + 3 refill tablets): $18. Subscribe and Save for a discount.
Refills: $12+ ($2.25-$2.50 per tablet)
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Iris Agave, Perrine Lemon, Lavender Eucalyptus, Pacific Mist, and Evergreen.
Review
This foaming hand soap comes with a reusable glass bottle and 1 foaming hand soap tablet. You just add water and the tablet to the glass bottle and you have a lemony hand soap! To start off you would purchase the starter set which is $15+ (depends on exactly what you get, how much you get and if you Subscribe and Save) and then once you have the reusable bottle you are getting hand soap for around $2.50 per bottle!
I love the sleek glass bottle that comes with the kit from both a sustainability standpoint, but also that it just looks nice on the counter. I love the foaming aspect too. The pump didn’t get clogged and I feel like soaps tend to last longer when they are foamy versus just liquid. Anyone else? The whole idea of making it again with just a tablet is brilliant!
Related Content: Blueland Review (Non Toxic Clean Products!)
Branch Basics Hand Soaps
**Best For Sensitive Skin**
Branch Basics helps people create healthy homes through their pure cleaning products. They offer two options for hand soaps. First, their gel hand soap uses ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and meadowfoam oil to hydrate skin. The Concentrate is a plant and mineral-based formula that can replace all toxic cleaning products. This multi-use formula can also be used as a hand soap. All you have to do is add water and The Concentrate into any of their refillable bottles.
Standout Ingredients – Fragrance-free
Cost – $45.00 for dispenser, $55.00 for refill (Gel Soap)
$5.00 – plastic, $15.00 – glass (Soap From Concentrate)
$55.00 – The Concentrate
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Fragrance Free
Review
This gel hand soap is both nourishing and great for sensitive skin. I love the minimal clean ingredients and that there is a refill option. It is pretty pricey overall, that would be my one dislike. It is fragrance free, so keep that in mind. I know some people prefer a scent.
I love that the hand soap from the concentrate is a more budget friendly option overall. You buy the Branch Basic’s concentrate and then use that to make all their cleaning products. One of them is their hand soap. The hand soap is a great option for those with sensitive skin, as it’s made with only a handful of clean ingredients and its fragrance free.
Use codeGURLGONEGREENto save 15% off all Starter Kits (excludes the Trial Kit)
Related Content: Branch Basics (Tested + Reviewed)
Primally Pure Hand Soap
**Best Luxury Hand Soap**
Primally Pure is mindfully made skincare sourced from animals and plants. Their hand soap uses botanicals to cleanse, nourish and soften skin and organic essential oils to create seasonal scents.
Standout Ingredients – Antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties
Cost – $44
Refills – No
Scents Available – Cool Citrus Breeze, Sweet Floral Sage, Warm Citrus Spice, Crispy Smoke Woods
Review
This is definitely a more luxurious hand soap purchase! I love everything about this hand soap, except the price. However, the bottle alone looks so luxe, so it might be worth purchasing and then just refilling it. The formula is nice too. It isn’t drying and suds up. I love their scent of Warm Citrus Spice. It is perfect for fall and winter. If budget isn’t an issue you’ll love this hand soap!
Use codeGURLGONEGREEN10to save 10% off your purchase!
Organic Bath Co Hand Soap
**Best Hand Soap For Hydration**
Organic Bath Co hand soap is made with organic oils and is a great option for sensitive skin.
Standout Ingredients – Organic Oils
Cost – $10.00 for dispenser, $27.00 for subscription refill
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Peppermint, Lavender, Citrus, Fragrance-free
Review
This is a great all around hand soap. It gets the job done with clean ingredients and it is budget friendly too! I love that they offer scents, but also a fragrance free option too. It comes in a plastic pump bottle, which I’m not as big a fan of. I wish it was glass, but you could just get their refill soap and refill it in your own soap dispenser. The formula itself feels very nourishing on the skin which I love!
Ursa Major Botanic Buzz
**Best Foaming Hand Soap**
Ursa Major focuses on clean, refreshing, and powerful ingredients. Their new hand soap, Botanic Buzz is super sudsy while hydrating the skin with an invigorating scent.
Standout Ingredients – Birch Sap nourishes with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, natural coconut-derived surfactant
Cost – $24.00
Refills – No
Scents Available – Botanic Buzz (bergamot, lavender, neroli)
Review
I really loved this hand soap! This is a newer product for Ursa Major and it’s really good. It’s not stripping of the skin or drying. I found my skin really loved it! It smells very invigorating and refreshing. The bottle is ok, I prefer glass and a little cleaner looking. They don’t have refills either, which I wish they did.
Moon Valley Foaming Herbal Hand Soap
**Best Hand Soap Available On Amazon**
These foaming hand soaps are Non- GMO, vegan and gluten free. They focus on simple, easy to read ingredients for the skin.
Standout Ingredients – Calendula to help cleanse skin and comfrey to help soothe.
Cost – $21.99 for two bottles. You can subscribe and save on Amazon.
Refills – Yes
Scents Available – Mint Lavender, Grapefruit Thyme, Lemon Rosemary, Orange Spice, and Unscented.
Review
I discovered these through my sister and really liked them! They are a more budget friendly option and easy to get through Amazon. I like the simple clean ingredients and the option to have refills and an unscented version. I got Mint Lavender, and it’s a pleasant scent- not too overwhelming. The bottles aren’t as chic looking, but if you have small kids it might be nice to have a non glass option. The overall formula is great! It’s not overly nourishing but not drying either.
DIY Hand Soap Recipe
If you would like to make your own hand soap, I recommend checking out Kristin Marr’s foaming soap recipe from Live Simply. She always has the best DIY recipes. These are the bottles I like to use.
Do you have a favorite non toxic hand soap you love? Share below!
If you liked this post, check out these past posts:
- Best Natural and Non Toxic Body Washes
- Best Natural Body Lotion Roundup
- Best Face Moisturizer (For Your Skin Type)
