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Gentle hand soap: how to choose and compare
Updated · By the RipePrice team
If you want a gentler hand soap, read the ingredient list instead of the front of the bottle, and compare bottles and refills by price per fluid ounce.
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At a glance
Read the ingredients
The front of the bottle is marketing. The ingredient list tells you what is in it.
Fragrance-free is not unscented
Fragrance-free means none was added. Unscented can still contain a masking ingredient.
Try small, then refill
Buy a small bottle first. Refills often cost less per ounce once you know you like it.
Unit price: divide the price by the fluid ounces on the label. Compare that number, not the bottle size or the pack count.
Quick picks
Fragrance-free hand soap
Good for scent-sensitive households
Check the ingredient list for the words fragrance or parfum, then compare the price per fluid ounce.
Refill pouch
Good for keeping your pump
Often lower per ounce than a new pump bottle, and you reuse the pump you already have.
Hand soap for dry skin
Good for hands that feel dry after washing
Many list moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin. It is a hint, not a promise. Try a small size first.
Large bottle
Good for heavy daily use
Only a bargain if you will finish it and like the formula. Compare the unit price with the small size.
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Unit price calculator
Type the price and the total amount printed on each package. Nothing you type is saved.
Fill in both options to compare.
Label decoder
Fragrance-free
Clear meaningMeans: No fragrance ingredients were added.
Watch for: Check the ingredient list for fragrance or parfum.
Dye-free
Clear meaningMeans: No colorants were added, so the soap may look clear or milky.
Watch for: It says nothing about other ingredients.
Unscented
Read closelyMeans: Little or no smell. A masking ingredient may have been used.
Watch for: Not the same as fragrance-free. Read the ingredients.
Hypoallergenic
Vague termMeans: Has no single legal definition in the United States.
Watch for: Not a guarantee for any skin type.
Dermatologist-tested
Vague termMeans: Someone tested it. The label does not give the result.
Watch for: Tested is not the same as approved or recommended.
Antibacterial
Read closelyMeans: Contains an added germ-killing ingredient.
Watch for: Plain soap and water are enough for most everyday handwashing. Ask your doctor if unsure.
Foam, liquid or bar
Foam
- Easy to compare?
- Harder: mostly water and air
- Watch for
- A cheap-looking bottle can cost more per ounce of soap
- Packaging
- Pump bottle, often refillable
Liquid
- Easy to compare?
- Easiest: the ounces are on the label
- Watch for
- Large sizes you will not finish
- Packaging
- Bottle or refill pouch
Bar
- Easy to compare?
- Compare by weight
- Watch for
- Some bars are drying; check it is made for hands and face
- Packaging
- Often little or no plastic
Related comparisons and answers
Frequently asked questions
- What should I look for in a hand soap for dry skin?
- Start with the label. Fragrance-free and dye-free formulas leave out two common irritants for some people, and many moisturizing hand soaps list ingredients such as glycerin. No soap works the same for everyone, so try a small bottle first.
- What is the difference between fragrance-free and unscented?
- Fragrance-free means no fragrance ingredients were added. Unscented can mean the product has little smell, which sometimes comes from an added ingredient that masks other smells. If you want to avoid fragrance, check the ingredient list for the word fragrance or parfum.
- Does hypoallergenic mean a soap is gentle on every skin type?
- No. The word has no single legal definition in the United States, and it does not guarantee that a product will not bother your skin. Use it as a hint, not as a promise, and check the ingredients.
- How do I compare hand soap prices?
- Divide the price by the number of fluid ounces. Refill pouches and large bottles are often cheaper per ounce than small pump bottles, but not always, so compare the numbers.
- When should I see a doctor about dry or irritated hands?
- If your skin is cracked, painful, bleeding or does not get better, talk to a dermatologist or your doctor. A different soap may not be enough, and some skin conditions need treatment.