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Have you ever washed your hands and thought to yourself, “Why do my hands feel even drier than before?” We’ve probably all been there and done that, but imagine this uncomfortable, tight feeling on your skin when you’re also dealing with eczema—a true nightmare for those with a compromised skin barrier. If you have this skin condition and your hands get it the worst, it’s time to spend your coin on hand soaps for eczema that are actually formulated to soothe dry, itchy skin. Because the last thing your hands need is a cupcake-scented, bright pink goop.
Best Hand Soaps for Eczema, at a Glance
- Most Affordable: Dove Beauty Advanced Care Hand Wash for Sensitive Skin, $5
- Best Cleanser Bar: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar, $6
- Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hand Wash, $70
- Best for Kids: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Fragrance-Free Foaming Hand Soap, $9
- Best Body & Hand Wash: Keys Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash, $26
- Best for Damaged Skin: Raw Sugar Liquid Hand Soap, $15
- Best Gel Soap: Mustela Organic Cleansing Gel, $19
But where does one even begin with finding the best hand soaps for eczema? Let’s start with a pro, like a dermatologist, who has a wealth of insight into this skin condition. We’ve got Dr. Tiffany J. Libby, a Mohs Surgeon and board-certified dermatologist, on hand (no pun intended) to answer all of your questions about eczema and to also provide product recommendations for the best gentle hand soaps for eczema. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Table Of Contents
What is eczema?
Why should I use a hand soap for eczema?
What ingredients should I look out for in a hand soap for eczema?
What ingredients should I avoid in a hand soap for eczema?
Best Hand Soaps for Eczema to Shop
What is eczema?
“Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that presents as pink to red-brown rough patches of skin that are often dry, itchy, and irritated,” explains Dr. Libby, adding, “It is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.”
Why should I use a hand soap for eczema?
It’s simple: You have a compromised skin barrier that is more likely to experience dryness and irritation. To counteract these side effects, fill your hand soap jar with a formula that’s specially made for eczema. This is going to look like nourishing, hydrating, soothing ingredients that’ll assist with restoring and repairing the skin’s moisture barrier.
What ingredients should I look out for in a hand soap for eczema?
Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, allantoin, and niacinamide are going to become your best friends during your search for the best hand soap for eczema. They’ll help transform your skin from rough, dry, itchy, and inflamed into healthy, smooth, soft, and moisturized.
What ingredients should I avoid in a hand soap for eczema?
Don’t even think about buying a hand soap that contains fragrance, harsh dyes, essential oils, exfoliating beads, or acids like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These ingredients will likely only worsen your eczema.
Now that you know the dos and don’ts of hand soaps for eczema, here are the 10 best gentle, derm-approved formulas that your skin will absolutely love.
Best Hand Soaps for Eczema to Shop
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar
On Sale 25% off
Buy Now at amazon $6
Buy Now at walmart $6
Buy Now at target $12
This hydrating cleanser bar can be used on more than just the hands; use it anywhere your skin is parched, including the face and body. It’s formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II)to protect the skin barrier.
Sizes: 4.5 oz
Key Ingredients: Ceramides 1, 3, 6-IIDove Beauty Advanced Care Hand Wash for Sensitive Skin
Dove Beauty Advanced Care Hand Wash
$5Buy Now at walgreens
This sensitive skin hand wash from Dove keeps knuckles, cuticles, and palms ultra-moisturized with every use. Since it contains the brand’s Advanced Care Sensitive Skin formula, the soap nourishes skin 10 layers deep for soft skin you can see and feel.
Sizes: 12 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Dove’s Moisture Boost 5x ComplexCetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
On Sale 13% off
$14Buy Now at amazon
$13Buy Now at target
This hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic formula was expertly made for those with sensitive skin. It has hydrating glycerin and skin essential vitamins B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide) to soothe inflamed skin and protect against environmental aggressors.
Sizes: 2 fl oz, 8 fl oz, 16 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Glcyerin, panthenol and niacinamideVanicream Cleansing Bar
Vanicream Cleansing Bar, Pack of 2
On Sale 33% off
$14Buy Now at Amazon
$10Buy Now at target
$7Buy Now at ulta
Per the brand, this hand soap was developed for those who seek to avoid common chemical irritants found in ordinary soaps. Enriched with Vanicream Skin Cream, the formula moisturizes while gently cleansing the skin.
As one shopper put it, “I (and my kids) have gentle/problem skin, but this soap is gentle enough that I feel no irritation or tightness once finished washing and dry. I have been using this now for about 5 years and will continue to use it as long as I can find it available.”
Sizes: 1.95 oz, 3.9 oz
Key Ingredients: Vanicream cream baseMustela Organic Cleansing Gel
Mustela Organic Cleansing Gel
$18Buy Now at amazon
$19Buy Now at target
This gentle cleanser is made with organic aloe vera and olive oil to effectively cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. The tear-free, fragrance-free, vegan formula is composed of organic ingredients and is both hypoallergenic and newborn safe.
Sizes: 13.5 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and olive oilBabo Botanicals Sensitive Foaming Hand Soap
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Fragrance-Free Foaming Hand Soap
$9Buy Now at Amazon
Another option that’s safe for both kids and babies, the Babo Botanicals Foaming Hand Soap is an extra-mild, fragrance-free formula that’s made with plant-based ingredients like sustainably sourced manuka oil & nourishing shea butter to soften dry skin.
Sizes: 8 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Manuka oil, aloe vera and shea butterKeys Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash
Keys Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash
$26Buy Now at keys soulcare
$26.00Buy Now at Amazon
This is one of the pricier products on our list, but its for good reason. The Keys Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash locks in moisture immediately thanks to the addition of manuka honey, shea butter and cocoa butter. It also has a scent of sage and oat milk that subtly lingers.
Sizes: 8.5 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, manuka honey, shea butter and cocoa butterRaw Sugar Liquid Hand Soap
Raw Sugar Liquid Hand Soap
$6Buy Now at target
$15Buy Now at Amazon
This hand soap has shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil and aloe leaf juice to leave hands soft and hydrated after washing. Its cold press technology delivers nutrient-rich extracts to dry, damaged skin.
Sizes: 16.7 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil and aloe leaf juicePuracy Natural Hand Soap
Puracy Organic Hand Soap
$18Buy Now at Amazon
$8Buy Now at walmart
Developed by Doctors and Biochemists, the Puracy Natural Hand Soap is a sulfate-free formula featuring good-for-skin plant and mineral-based ingredients that wash away dirt, oil, and impurities without leaving your hands drier than before. Its light scent of French lavender and vanilla bean bring a soothing aroma.
Sizes: 12 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Plant and mineral-based ingredientsMethod Aluminum Gel Hand Soap in Vanilla + Raspberry
Method Aluminum Gel Hand Soap
$7Buy Now at target
$21Buy Now at Amazon
This sensitive skin formula (it’s made without parabens or phthalates) comes in a reusable aluminum container that you can refill and reuse overtime.
Sizes: 12 fl oz,
Key Ingredients: Plant-based cleansersDr. Barbara Sturm Hand Wash
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hand Wash
$70Buy Now at nordstrom
$70Buy Now at revolve
$70Buy Now at saks
For those who prefer a luxe hand soap formula in their bathroom, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hand Wash is the way to go. The fragrance- and color-free soap brings a light foaming action that whisks away dirt and impurities without also taking away your skin’s natural hydration. Aloe vera, glycerin and panthenol add a dose of moisture to the hands, while an herbal plant complex restores the skins natural barrier. The addition of antioxidative properties keep your skin protected against free radicals.
Sizes: 16.9 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Plant-based tensides derived from coconut oil and glucose, aloe vera, glycerin and panthenol and purslane extract
