A Guide to Non-Toxic Hand Soap: Healthier More Natural Choices For Your Skin

What is non-toxic soap?

Non-toxic hand soap does not contain toxic ingredients like parabens and sulfates. Always check through the ingredients list because some of the product labels could falsely advertise quality that they do not offer. 

Does non-toxic mean natural?

The term “non-toxic” is sometimes used interchangeably with “natural”; however, natural means containing organic ingredients, while “non-toxic” means that which has no harmful chemical ingredients like triclosan and parabens. Always check the ingredients list even when a brand says they are “natural” because non-toxic labels could still have synthetic, non-harmful ingredients. “Natural” should truly mean the same. 

Why should you switch to a non-toxic hand soap?

Traditional hand soap is made from harmful chemicals and is often made from packaging that pollutes water, air, or soil. Here are the main three reasons you should switch to non-toxic hand soap:

Environmental pollution

One primary reason to switch to non-toxic hand soap is that most Personal Care Products (PCPs) are major chemical pollutants. Chemicals in PCPs like soap, deodorant, sunscreen, and toothpaste find their way into waste management systems and release hazardous biologically active and inactive substances into the environment. Polluted air, soil, and water affect humans, plants, and animals. 

Non-toxic brands stick to natural ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals that harm both flora and fauna. Products are also packaged in refillable bottles that reduce landfills or are made from recycled plastic that is kinder to the earth.

Impact on human health

Scientific research shows that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in traditional soap affects normal body function and may be linked to cancer and neurological disorders, inducing diabetes, obesity, & infertility, and disturbing metabolism. 

Non-toxic brands use natural ingredients and avoid harmful chemicals like synthetic fragrances.

Ingredients non-toxic hand soaps are without

We have established that it is essential to look at the ingredients when shopping for hand soap so that you don’t end up with something that contains harmful chemicals. These are some of the ingredients to steer clear of;

• Parabens: Parabens are a group of chemical preservatives used in cosmetic products to check the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast so that the personal care product keeps longer and consumers are protected. The most commonly used parabens include propylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, and ethylparaben. The issue with parabens is that they are endocrine disruptors, which affect how hormones are produced and stored in the body, resulting in an increased risk of cancer, reproductive disorders, and neurological disorders. 
• Sulfates: Sulfates are surfactants, meaning they allow oil and water that normally repel to bind, allowing cleaning products to remove grease and dirt from hands and surfaces. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are the sulfates commonly used in soap and cleaning detergents that produce foam. Sulfates can irritate the skin, particularly for people with eczema or psoriasis, can cause dry skin, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, pollute groundwater, and affect aquatic life.
• Phthalates: Phthalates are aromatic chemicals that make plastics more flexible and durable. They are used in personal care products as preservatives to make fragrances last longer and enhance product adherence to the skin. The harm with phthalates is that they are endocrine disruptors and can mimic the body’s hormones. Phthalates are linked to reproductive issues, are harmful to pregnant women and babies, and affect brain function.
• Polyethylene glycol: Polyethylene glycol is a chemical derived from petroleum used in medicine, personal care products, and for industrial applications. This chemical is used in personal care products to soften the skin & allow it to retain moisture, thicken ingredients, and allow fats and water to mix. However, polyethylene glycol has impurities like 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which can cause cancer.
• Synthetic fragrance:  Companies typically list “fragrance” in their ingredients list but are not required to disclose the chemicals used to make the fragrance. The fragrance product label can hide several harmful chemicals, like phthalates, that produce aromatic scents. These chemicals in fragrance formulations can cause cancer, respiratory issues, allergies, immunotoxicity, hormone disruption, and congenital disabilities.
• Triclosan: Triclosan is an antimicrobial active ingredient used in PCPs to reduce bacteria, fungi, and mildew growth. The problem with triclosan is its link to hormone disruption and respiratory issues. 

Is non-toxic hand soap an effective antibacterial? 

Labels can be deceiving. According to the FDA, the label “antibacterial” is not necessarily better at fighting germs and preventing illness. Due to the abrasive nature of some of the ingredients traditional antibacterial hand soaps are formulated with, they tend to upset the balance of the skin's microbiome. This layer of healthy bacteria, fungi, and viruses naturally live in a harmonious balance on the skin that protects us against pathogens and boosts immune system development.

Non-toxic hand soaps offer a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative. This section explores their antibacterial effectiveness and role in disease prevention compared to traditional soaps.

Non-toxic ingredients and antibacterial action

Natural components in non-toxic hand soaps, such as tea tree oil and thyme, are shown to effectively combat bacteria. These natural antibacterials work by disrupting bacterial cells without the negative side effects of chemical additives found in traditional soaps, making them a safer choice for individuals and the environment.

Handwashing technique matters

The effectiveness of any hand soap largely depends on the correct handwashing technique. Thorough scrubbing for at least 20 seconds is critical for removing germs. When used properly, non-toxic hand soaps are just as effective as conventional soaps in maintaining hand hygiene and preventing the spread of diseases.

Safety and environmental impact

Non-toxic hand soaps offer an effective way to clean your hands without the risks posed by chemical-laden alternatives. These soaps align with healthier living standards and environmental sustainability, avoiding substances like triclosan, which have been banned in some regions due to health and ecological concerns. Through proper use, everyone can rely on these natural products to keep their hands clean and reduce disease transmission while supporting environmental well-being.

Our criteria for best non-toxic hand soap brands

If you are wondering what to look for in the best non-toxic hand soap, use this checklist when considering which one to purchase.

Look at the Ingredients: Non-toxic brands always provide information about the ingredients used in their products. Verify that the brands use organic ingredients like chamomile, coconut oil, cocoa butter, essential oils, and aloe vera. Steer clear of brands using parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, triclosan, sulfates, and polyethylene glycol that harm you.

Check for Certifications: Look for the leaping bunny certification, which indicates that the brand does not allow animal testing. Ensure the product is EWG-Verified meaning they adhere to strict ingredient and manufacturing standards. The best brands also have B-Corp Certification, PETA Certification, & Human-Safe Certification, and are Dermatologically Tested. 

Eco-Friendly Packaging: The best brands have refillable packaging or use recycled plastics that reduce pollution and protect the environment. Aluminum packaging also reduces plastic pollution.

Ethical Sourcing: Another important thing to consider is where the ingredients were obtained. Ethically sourced ingredients are grown in organic farms, and consumers can be assured that the ingredients are GMO-free and contain no toxins.

Our list of 11 best non-toxic hand soaps 

1. Dr. Bronner 

Dr. Bronner is an iconic brand committed to sustainable and fair trade practices in sourcing and production. Their line of organic sugar soap is made from pure natural ingredients with no synthetic additives. Dr. Bronner’s ingredients are grown in regenerative organic farming projects and they have tree-planting programs to protect the environment. Additionally, they are reducing their carbon footprint by using 100% post-consumer recycled packaging that is good for the planet. 

Price Range: $11 for 12oz to $43 for ½ a gallon

Standout ingredients: The soap is made from natural ingredients like organic sucrose, white grape juice, coconut oil, and hemp seed oil and does not have synthetic preservatives that can irritate the skin.

Hand soap types: Liquid Soap

Scents: They come in various scents including peppermint, lemongrass, tea tree, and lavender. These ingredients are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes, It is safe and soothing for the skin.

Attributes: The organic sugar soap leaves the skin smooth, nourished, and hydrated. 

Sustainability Stats:

• No synthetic foaming agents
• Certified USDA & Oregon Tilth Organic
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free, leaping bunny certified
• EWG Verified for chemical safety
• Biodegradable organic ingredients
• 100% post-consumer recycled packaging 

2. EO

The EO brand is known for its sustainable zero-waste manufacturing, and they use ingredients that are safe, organic, natural, and sustainable farmed. EO is committed to protecting the environment. They use non-recyclable items from landfills to make 100% recyclable packaging. 

Price Range: $8-$9 for 12 fl oz

Standout ingredients: EO’s hand soap is made from organic moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like essential oils, mild amino acid cleansers, aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and white tea extracts. 

Hand soap types: Liquid 

Scents: The hand soap comes in various scents including Orange Blossom Vanilla and lemon & eucalyptus scents

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes, it is suitable for sensitive skin.

Attributes: The botanical extracts cleanse and hydrate the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and balanced. 

Sustainability Stats:

• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free
• B Corp Certified
• Free from parabens and phthalates
• Free from GMOs and synthetic fragrances
• Organic plant-based ingredients
• 100% recyclable packaging
• Bottles made from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic

3. Hand In Hand

The philanthropic work done by the brand stands out. For every product you buy, they provide soap and clean water to help children in need. Hand In Hand is a brand committed to sustainable practices, plus they use infinitely recyclable Aluminum packaging to reduce plastic bottle pollution. Customers love the fun colorful packaging and lavish scents.

Price Range: $5 to $8

Standout ingredients: The hand soap is made from naturally nourishing coconut oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, cocoa butter, essential oils, and aloe vera. They moisturize and protect the skin from viruses and bacteria.

Hand soap types: Liquid, Foaming types

Scents: Come in the citrus groove, sea salt, almond creme, lavender, and rosemary lemon scents.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes. The soap is safe and made from clean, natural ingredients.

Attributes: The soap is nourishing and moisturizing. 

Sustainability Stats:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-Free, Leaping Bunny Certified
• Infinitely Recyclable Aluminum packaging
• 97 % Naturally derived
• Palm Oil Free
• Paraben and phthalates-free
• Free of SLS/SLES, EDTA, and PEGS

4. Aesop

This luxury brand makes hand soap with careful attention to detail, using vegan botanical ingredients that nourish and soften the skin. Aesop uses glass and recycled plastic packaging and has set a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse emissions. 

Price Range: $41 to $43 for 16.9 oz

Standout ingredients: They use natural ingredients such as mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar atlas, lavender oil, and cedarwood bark oil. They naturally protect the skin from bacteria, prevent inflammation, and treat acne.

Hand soap types: Low-Foaming gel

Scents: They come in Reverence Aromatique and Resurrection Aromatique scents.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes. The soap is safe for sensitive skin. 

Attributes: Nourishes, softens, and cleanses the hands.

Sustainability Stats:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-Free
• Leaping Bunny Certified
• B-corp certified
• 97% recycled plastics for bottles

5. Earth Mama Organics

Earth Mama Organics is a brand with a variety of natural products that are good for you, and the baby and safe for cleaning. 

Price Range: $10

Standout ingredients: The ingredients include sunflower seed oil, aloe leaf, glycerin, peppermint oil, calendula, and shea butter. 

Hand soap types: Foaming

Scents: Available in Wild Peppermint Scent

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes, Attitude hand soap is good for sensitive skin. 

Attributes: The soap is tested and proven not to irritate the skin.

Sustainability Stats:

• Leaping Bunny Certified
• Dermatologically tested
• Plastic Neutral
• No synthetic fragrance, preservatives, Triclosan
• or sulfates
• Made with organic herbs and oils
• Certified by Oregon Tilth
• EWG’s certified

6. Everyone

This brand offers gentle, nourishing hand soap made from essential oils and is good for everyone including children. The ingredients are sourced from sustainable farms and are manufactured sustainably to ensure zero-waste.

Price Range: $5-$6

Standout ingredients: Made from gentle coconut-sourced cleansers and organic herbs like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, white tree extracts, and vitamins E & B5. They hydrate & nourish dry skin and have antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

Hand soap types: Liquid

Scents: Everyone's liquid hand soap has a variety of scents to choose from like lavender & coconut, apricot & vanilla, Winter mint, and orange & space which customers love. 

Recommended for sensitive skin?: The soap is good for sensitive skin.

Attributes: These soaps cleanse, soothe, nourish, and refresh the skin. 

Sustainability Stats:

• EWG Verified
• 100% pcr
• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan
• Recycled packaging
• 100% green energy manufacturing
• 100% non-GMO ingredients
• Plastic bottles are made with Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic and are BPA-free.

7. Uni Restoring Hand Wash

Uni is a well-known brand acknowledged by various platforms like Bustle and Vogue for sustainably making skin care products that are good for the skin and safe for the environment. Their products are reef-safe, meaning they do not harm the sea or land when they wash down the drain. 

Price Range:  $28 - $31

Standout ingredients: Their restoring hand soap is made with active botanical ingredients like coconut oil which cleanses the skin, Australian Kakadu Plum rich in antioxidants that protect and restore skin, Uni Marine Complex blend of marine actives that hydrates and nourishes, and olive oil, which softens and smooths the skin. 

Hand soap types: Foaming Gel

Scents: Available in chamomile, geranium, and hazelnut scents.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes. It is great for sensitive and all skin types.

Attributes: The soap hydrates, nourishes, softens, and smooths the skin. 

Sustainability Stats:

• Reef Safe
• Cruelty-Free
• Vegan
• Sustainably Farmed
• No Parabens, phthalates, or triclosan
• Upcycled & Refillable
• Recyclable Aluminium
• 100% FSC Certified
• 1% To Coral Gardeners

8. Kosmatology Foaming Hand Soap

Kosmatology foaming soap is formulated with natural ingredients like olive oil and is safe for adults and children. The brand avoids harmful ingredients like thickening agents or triclosan. 

Price Range: $9- $10

Standout ingredients: The hand soap is made with natural ingredients like olive, coconut, and safflower that nourish, moisturize and protect the skin from disease-causing micro-organisms.

Hand soap types:  Gel, Foaming

Scents: The available scents are Botanical Bliss - Lavender Eucalyptus, Goody-Goody Grapefruit  - Grapefruit, Lemon Lover's - Lemon, Herbal Fresh - Spearmint Rosemary and Orange Sweetness - Orange.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes. You can use it on sensitive skin. 

Attributes: The soap forms a thick lather that effectively cleanses hands and nourishes the skin. 

Sustainability Stats:

• No parabens & phthalates
• Vegan 
• Sodium Laureth Sulfates and Sodium lauryl-free
• Leaping Bunny Certified 
• PETA Certified

9. 100% Pure

This brand offers plant-based handwashing soap thoughtfully made to soften the hands while reducing bacteria that cause disease. 

Price Range: $24

Standout ingredients: The ingredients are Glycerin, which reduces fine lines and moisturizes; Decyl Glucoside, an organic surfactant that gently cleans the skin; Tea Tree, which removes impurities; and Coco Betaine which cleanses the skin; and Citric Acid, a gentle exfoliator.

Hand soap types: Liquid

Scents: No scents mentioned

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes, the soap is gentle on hands even sensitive skin. 

Attributes: The soap cleanses, softens and smooths the skin

Sustainability Stats:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-Free
• Natural 
• Gluten-Free

10. Brand Basics Hand Gel 

Brand Basics has a hand-washing gel made from safe natural ingredients nourishing for the skin. This brand’s ethos is delivering healthy, gentle, and effective handwashing soap so customers can experience the power of pure. Brand Basic’s hand gel is packaged in refillable containers that are good for the environment.

Price Range: $45-$40

Standout ingredients: The hand gel is made from plant and mineral ingredients like chamomilla recutita flower extract, aloe vera, meadowfoam oil, and Populus Tremuloides bark extract that protects the skin barrier and have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

Hand soap types: Gel, Foaming

Scents: Fragrance-free

Recommended for sensitive skin?:  The soap is safe for sensitive skin and made without endocrine disruptors or alcohol. 

Attributes: The soap, smoothen, softens, and moisturizes the skin.

Sustainability Stats

• Fragrance-Free
• Non-toxic
• Non-GMO
• Biodegradable
• No harmful preservatives
• Refillable
• Recyclable
• Human-Safe
• BPA-Free

11. Attitude Eco-Friendly Products

Attitude Super Leaves Hand Soap is a gentle hand-washing soap made from natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin. Customers appreciate the great scents, and good cleansing power, and do not leave the skin dry. 

Price Range: $8-$9

Standout ingredients: The ingredients include Tea Tree that softens the skin, watercress, and Indian cress to revitalize skin, and are enriched with minerals and nutrients that restore and improve your skin. 

Hand soap types: Liquid

Scents: The scents include White Tea Leaves, Orange Leaves, Red Vine Leaves, Olive Leaves, And Lemon Leaves.

Recommended for sensitive skin?: Yes Attitude super leaves hand soap is good for sensitive skin. 

Attributes: Super Leaves soap is tender on the skin, gently removing impurities and leaving your skin soft and supple.

Sustainability Stats:

• Vegan
• EWG Verified
• Dermatologically Tested
• 98.9% naturally sourced ingredients
• Refillable and recyclable bottles
• Biodegradable FSC-certified cardboard

Clean & kind hands

Ensuring clean hands is vital for keeping infections at bay, but the choice of soap can also enhance our health and the environment. Shift away from conventional soaps with harsh chemicals and choose nourishing alternatives containing olive, coconut, safflower oils, aloe vera, chamomile, white tree extracts, and vitamins E & B5. These natural ingredients cleanse, moisturize, and care for your skin without drying it. Remember, selecting the right hand soap means you’re not just cleaning your hands but nurturing them and making an environmentally conscious choice. Be a savvy shopper—choose both safety and kindness.

FAQs

How do you know if soap is non-toxic?

You will know that soap is non-toxic if it does not contain harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, triclosan, sulfates, and polyethylene glycol. These chemicals can disrupt hormones, affecting normal body function, which increases the risk of cancer and reproductive disorders. 

What is the healthiest hand soap to use?

The healthiest hand soap to use is the one that contains natural, non-toxic ingredients. Minerals olive, coconut oil, aloe vera, chamomile, and vitamins E & B5 have natural properties that moisturize, nourish, and protect the skin.

Is Softsoap non-toxic?

Yes, softsoap is non-toxic. Softsoap is paraben and phthalate-free and uses natural ingredients in its non-toxic, non-anti-bacterial hand soap products.

Is the Method Hand soap non-toxic? 

Yes. Method hand soap has plant-based ingredients and does not contain toxic ingredients like paraben and phthalate.

Is Dr. Bronners antibacterial?

Dr. Bronners is not anti-bacterial but this is a good thing. Antibacterial soap is not particularly good at fighting bacteria because it kills both good and bad bacteria.

Does Mrs Meyer's hand soap kill germs?

Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap does not kill but effectively removes germs from the skin. This hand soap removes harmful bacteria and leaves good bacteria, which protect your skin from infections.