The best liquid hand soap in the UK 2023

As we fight the spread of winter viruses and Covid19, frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Practical, easy to use and effective against microbiological organisms, liquid hand soap is more important than ever. Should you choose organic or chemical? Find out which liquid hand soap to choose.

Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap

The best liquid hand soap

A sweet lavender fragrance permeates this liquid hand soap, delivered in a 300 ml pump bottle. Naturally glycerine, it cleans the hands without aggressing the skin.

6,80 £ on Amazon

This liquid hand soap has passed the test of the consumers' union UFC-Que Choisir which placed it among the products without "any risk identified to date". Indeed, the Petit Olivier used 97% of natural components for the conception of this soap made with olive oil. It is certainly the result of a hot saponification process that eliminates the emollient and nutritive benefits of this component, but it is naturally glycerinated and incorporates lavender to combine hydration and softness.

This liquid hand soap bearing the Le Petit Olivier brand insignia comes in a 300 ml pump bottle. The product is labeled One Voice and proudly bears the label Made in the UK. If your hands are dry from frequent use of hydroalcoholic gel, this liquid hand soap will help them regain their softness and a pulpy and supple appearance.

Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook 2
7/10

Best value

Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook

The best cheap liquid hand soap

This is a workshop soap, a liquid hand soap designed for those who enjoy cooking, gardening and any other manual work that is quite messy.

2 £ on Amazon

It may be called "Le Cuisinier", but this workshop soap has many uses. In fact, in addition to eliminating the smell of meat, fish, poultry and vegetables, this liquid hand soap cleans hands soiled by intensive gardening or DIY, according to feedback from users. For the latter, the perfume is not always unanimous, but in any case, the unpleasant odors disappear well under the effect of the scent of lemon.

Concerning the packaging, this liquid hand soap signed Le Petit Marseillais comes in a 300 ml pump bottle. It is composed of chemical elements, but its perfume results from the essential oil obtained from the zests of lemon. The manufacturer recommends applying a dab of this shop soap to wet hands, rubbing for 1 minute, then rinsing with clear water.

Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash 3
9/10

Best premium

Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash

The best premium liquid hand soap

Ecover offers this liquid hand and body soap, enriched with lavender and aloe vera. This natural formula comes in a 5-liter XXL canister.

23,99 £ on Amazon

Ecover emphasizes its ecological commitment in the description of this liquid hand soap. First of all, the components used in the design of this product are biodegradable and of vegetable origin. In other words, it is a natural soap for people with sensitive skin. The aloe vera will have for role to hydrate and to soften the dry and irritated skins so that they become smooth and soft. Then, the 5 liters can comes from recycled materials and is recyclable to honor the 0 waste certification.

Delicately scented with lavender, this liquid hand soap is suitable for repeated use without ever drying out or assaulting the skin; many users corroborate this claim. Many only regret that the price is high, but at about 30 euros per 5 liter can, it comes to 6 euros per liter; which is still quite affordable after all. And then, if you are short of shower soap, this liquid soap will do very well.

Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose 4
8/10

Superfatted soap

Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose

A rose-scented superfatted liquid hand soap

Consumers have been won over by this liquid hand soap which, in addition to smelling like a rose, is not too foamy and is easy to rinse off thanks to the absence of chemical surfactants.

12,40 £ on Amazon

This liquid hand soap is the result of a hot saponification process using exclusively vegetable oil. But the mention surgras soap, this product has it from the addition of cold-pressed coconut oil to exploit to the maximum its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial virtues. It is also an oil rich in fatty acid, ideal to nourish and soften the dry skins and weakened by the products rich in alcohol like the hydroalcoholic gel.

With every dab of liquid hand soap you get, you'll enjoy the sweet scent of roses. Granted, the scent doesn't last very long even though the manufacturer claims a "concentrated fragrance," but it's still very pleasant. Some users are also dubious given the price of this soap; especially since some of them reported that the pump does not always work. Fortunately, simply decanting the solution into another pump bottle will remedy this.

Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action 5
8/10

With neutral pH

Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action

Liquid hand soap with a neutral pH

If you have tattoos on your hands, this pH neutral liquid hand soap is for you. It is a Vegan formula which does not comprise any perfume.

11,28 £ on Amazon

When you have tattoos on your hands, you need to wash them with a mild soap with a neutral pH to avoid irritating the skin and to speed up healing. This is the case with this liquid hand soap, which has a Vegan formula and is made from 94% natural ingredients. The solution does not contain any perfume to maintain its softness; its scent is due to the rosemary extract used during the saponification process and whose odor is not always appreciated by consumers.

This liquid hand soap offers excellent value for money and comes in a pack of 6 closed cap refills, each with a capacity of 500 ml (3 liters in all). The antibacterial action of this product has been proven by clinical and dermatological tests, which really inspires confidence. And it's easy to trust the Le Chat brand as a master soap maker.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best liquid hand soap

Any specific needs?

The best liquid hand soap

The best cheap liquid hand soap

The best premium liquid hand soap

A rose-scented superfatted liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap with a neutral pH

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best liquid hand soap

BEST CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE
Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap 6
9/10
Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook 7
7/10
Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash 8
9/10
Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose 9
8/10
Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action 10
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap
Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook
Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash
Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose
Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action
A sweet lavender fragrance permeates this liquid hand soap, delivered in a 300 ml pump bottle. Naturally glycerine, it cleans the hands without aggressing the skin.
This is a workshop soap, a liquid hand soap designed for those who enjoy cooking, gardening and any other manual work that is quite messy.
Ecover offers this liquid hand and body soap, enriched with lavender and aloe vera. This natural formula comes in a 5-liter XXL canister.
Consumers have been won over by this liquid hand soap which, in addition to smelling like a rose, is not too foamy and is easy to rinse off thanks to the absence of chemical surfactants.
If you have tattoos on your hands, this pH neutral liquid hand soap is for you. It is a Vegan formula which does not comprise any perfume.
Type of components
97% naturally derived ingredients
Chemical
Natural and biodegradable
Natural
97% natural origin
Surface soap mention
Fragrance
Lavender
Lemon
Lavender
Rose
-
Quantity
300 ml
300 ml
5000 ml
500 ml
300 ml x 6
Packaging
Pump bottle
Pump bottle
Bottle
Pump bottle
Capped refills

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Buying guide - liquid hand soap

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How to choose your liquid hand soap

Browsing the shelves to choose a liquid hand soap with beautiful packaging or a good fragrance is not enough. You need to choose based on a few criteria that will determine the soap's power and its effect on your hands.

#1 - Organic, natural or chemical product?

In any hygiene product, this question always comes up: should you choose organic or opt for a chemical and industrial version? While organic and natural liquid hand soap is the preferred choice of green advocates, the industrial versions also have some valid arguments.

Organic and natural liquid hand soaps are made with natural elements, so their waste is not toxic for the environment. On the other hand, they are more expensive than their industrial variants. The latter contain chemical ingredients that have been tested and proven to be effective. But some of their components are not dissolved by water treatment plants and infiltrate into the soil.

#2 - The composition

Whether your choice is organic, natural or chemical, be aware that some components should be avoided, because they carry health risks. With this in mind, you will avoid liquid hand soaps containing paraben, PEG, BHA, sulfate, etc. If these components are acceptable for adults who do not have sensitive skin, they are strictly prohibited for young children.

Some liquid hand soaps also contain allergenic products, whether they are natural, organic or chemical. In fact, many essential oils can cause allergies. That's why you need to pay special attention to what it says on the label!

#3 - The benefits

Liquid hand soaps come in different formulas depending on how you use them and the effects you're looking for.

  • For a simple hand wash, you need a cleansing product. This liquid hand soap removes dirt, viruses and bacteria, and is suitable for frequent washing at home or in the office.
  • If you do manual work where your hands are highly exposed to various dirt, you need a shop soap. It is a liquid hand soap with a very cleansing effect and an alkaline pH for optimal effectiveness against stubborn dirt.
  • If you are a health care worker, work with a lot of people or often handle objects touched by other people, you need an antiseptic version.

#4 - The fragrance

In today's environment, washing your hands very frequently is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself. To make this gesture less restrictive, you can motivate yourself with the pleasant scent of liquid hand soap. In addition, it should be noted that most fragrances, whether natural or chemical, have a bactericidal virtue and thus reinforce the capacity of the soap to eliminate viruses and bacteria.

Nevertheless, it is important to know that hands that are too often exposed and weakened by the hydroalcoholic gel will not tolerate an excess of perfume, which will dry them out even more.

#5 - The quantity

In this criterion, it is mainly a question of quantity/price ratio. For large families or professionals providing their employees and visitors with liquid hand soap, it will be necessary to invest in a model with a large capacity. Some are even supplied in cans to be poured into soap dispensers afterwards.

On the other hand, if the liquid hand soap is for personal use, for a small family or even just for your children, you can find your happiness in the models of 250 to 500 ml.

#6 - The packaging

For this last criterion, we will focus more on the packaging. The ideal would be to have liquid hand soap delivered and packaged in a pump bottle with a plunger. This way, you just have to squeeze to get the liquid out without having to pick up the bottle or flask.

However, if this is not the case, you can always invest in a soap dispenser with this same system and pour the liquid hand soap of your choice into it. This will cost extra, but it will make it much more convenient to use.

Liquid hand soap: what about superfatted soap?

In the world of liquid hand soaps, there is a lot of talk about superfatted soap without really understanding its meaning. Let's explain!

All soap, whether liquid or solid, results from a process of transformation of fats (vegetable oils in most cases) which, in contact with soda (solid soap) or potash (liquid soap), lose their nourishing properties. At the end of the transformation, manufacturers add vegetable oils, perfumed or not, to make the liquid hand soap softer and more nourishing. In other words, the soap becomes, in addition to being a hygiene product, a product that moisturizes and nourishes dry and sensitive skin. And that's what superfatted soap is all about.

However, beware of the marketing technique of some manufacturers who put "superfat soap" on the label when they have only added a very small amount of oil. To put it simply, if the nourishing oil is mentioned after the perfumes and preservatives, it means that it is only present in a very small quantity and that the moisturizing effect will not necessarily be perceptible. In some liquid hand soaps, manufacturers use kerosene oil, which is not very environmentally friendly, but effective on dry and sensitive skin.

The different types of liquid hand soap

We distinguish two types of liquid hand soaps: those that are natural and/or organic and those that are chemical.

Organic and/or natural liquid hand soap

Whether it is organic or natural, liquid hand soap is made of natural elements such as natural fats or vegetable oil. To make the difference, you just need to know that the organic label comes with the use of elements from organic farming. In terms of price, it goes without saying that organic and natural soaps are expensive, but these types of soaps are very effective and rarely cause undesirable effects on the skin.

At the same time, choosing an organic or natural liquid hand soap means investing in a biodegradable hygiene product that will not cause any toxic waste in the wastewater. Indeed, there are no chemical surfactants, no mineral oil resulting from petrochemistry, and they are products that rinse much easier than their chemical variant.

Industrial liquid hand soap

The liquid hand soap resulting from an industrial and chemical process seduces by the attractiveness of the price. In addition, the formula is developed so that the soap is both foaming, cleansing and fragrant. In many cases, this type of liquid hand soap uses extracts of natural products to perfume or provide a specific effect: softening, antiseptic, etc.

Its main disadvantage lies in the pollution it generates. Indeed, this type of liquid hand soaps uses chemical surfactants at the origin of their foaming aspects (generally sulfate). The problem is that these elements seep into the wastewater and escape the purification system, polluting the water or soil on which they are discharged.

Liquid hand soap or solid soap?

In a context where hand washing is no longer a matter of hygiene, but a necessity for survival, we often wonder if it is better to use liquid hand soap or if we can make do with the good old solid bar.

Liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap has the advantage of being easy to use. The solution is poured into a bottle with a pump and pourer, so you can simply press the top of the bottle to wash your hands. It is even possible to use an automatic dispensing system to avoid all users touching the bottle or pump.

Such a system helps limit the spread of viruses and bacteria; in fact, this is undoubtedly the main argument for liquid hand soap. Moreover, you can always choose between an organic, natural or chemical version, you can choose between different fragrances, you can even opt for a mild soap, a workshop soap, an antiseptic soap, etc.

Solid hand soap

Unlike liquid hand soap, each user of solid soap must touch, pick up and apply it to their skin in order to clean themselves. In this day and age, this is not a very hygienic practice. In addition, you should not leave the soap in the water, because bacteria and germs proliferate in the aquatic environment. Nevertheless, the use of a perforated soap dish that does not allow any water retention can alleviate this problem.

When used properly, solid soap has many advantages. It lasts longer than liquid hand soap and is just as effective at killing viruses and bacteria. Like its liquid counterpart, solid bar comes in organic, natural and chemical versions, so it's available for every budget.

Verdict

Both liquid hand soap and solid bar remain suitable hygiene products for everyday use. However, when the bathroom or toilet is used by several people, it is preferable to limit contact to avoid the transmission of viruses and bacteria. In this case, liquid hand soap is the best choice.

5 good reasons to choose a good liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap is one of the most important daily hygiene products. Why can't we do without this product anymore? Discover the 5 advantages of liquid hand soap in the following paragraphs.

Liquid hand soap is a very cleansing product.

First of all, it is a full-fledged soap that includes cleaning and foaming agents to eliminate germs, viruses and bacteria that may have stuck to the hands. Thus, liquid hand soap is an effective hygiene product to fight certain viral diseases and bacterial infections.

Liquid hand soap reduces the spread of biological organisms.

Unlike solid bar, liquid hand soap is protected by a bottle. To wash, each user will just have to squeeze the pump cap to release the liquid and wash their hands. In high-traffic areas, it is even possible to use an automatic liquid soap dispenser to minimize contact. Seen in this light, liquid hand soap is a good solution to combat the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Liquid hand soap comes in a variety of forms.

Among the many advantages of liquid hand soap is the ability to choose an organic, natural or chemical version, depending on personal preference and budget. Organic and natural soaps are biodegradable and do not pollute wastewater, but they are expensive. The chemical version, on the other hand, is more affordable, but the industrial surfactants remain in the wastewater and pollute the water that seeps into the ground.

Liquid hand soap can moisturize the skin.

It is always difficult to find a good liquid hand soap when the skin is martyred by the use of hydroalcoholic gel or if the epidermis is dry and sensitive. Nowadays, we can find superfatted soaps that incorporate nourishing and moisturizing vegetable oils. Also, in addition to cleaning, liquid hand soap helps you to find a softer and more pulpy skin.

Liquid hand soap can be purchased in bulk.

If you want to save money, you can buy liquid hand soap in bulk. In this format, the product is sold in 1 to 5 liter cans, and should be poured into a dispenser bottle for easy use. Needless to say, buying in a can offers an excellent quantity-to-price ratio.

The best brands of liquid hand soap

In our opinion, the best brands of liquid hand soap in 2022 are :

Le Petit Olivier
Le Petit Marseillais
Ecover
Le Chat
Panier des Sens

Created in 1996 by two men from Provence, Le Petit Olivier is a French brand that wants to offer natural cosmetics and hygiene products. The brand's liquid hand soap is among the most recommended by UFC-Que Choisir.

The little pleasures of life, the flora bathed in the sunlight of the South, this is what Le Petit Marseillais has been trying to reproduce in its products since its creation in 1980. It's no surprise that its liquid hand soaps are a big hit with the public.

Ecover is a Belgian company that specializes in the manufacture of hygiene and household products. It claims to be environmentally friendly and says that its liquid hand soaps are made of natural and biodegradable ingredients.

It has been more than 160 years since the Le Chat brand became a true icon in the hygiene world. The company offers a few liquid hand soaps that stand out for their fair price-quality ratio.

"Natural cosmetics and scents of Provence"; this is the leitmotif of this French brand that designs a panoply of hygiene and cosmetic products. The brand offers a wide range of liquid hand soaps that claim to be natural.

What is the price liquid hand soap

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
1.5 £ to 7 £
Mid-range
7 £ to 12 £
High-end
more than 12 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Design your own liquid hand soap.

Finely grate some neutral solid soap and pour it into 500 ml of boiling water, then stir to get a smooth mixture. Add 3 tablespoons of honey and stir again. Out of the fire, pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or shea butter, then perfume with drops of essential oils. All that's left is to let it cool before pouring your liquid hand soap into a bottle.

Prefer cold saponified liquid hand soaps.

As a reminder, saponification is the process by which fat is transformed into soap using potash for liquid hand soaps. During cold saponification, the moisturizing and nourishing virtues of the vegetable oil are not all lost; this means that the liquid soap does not dry out the hands too much; even more so if drops of essential oils are added at the end of the process.

Look for liquid hand soap that contains glycerin.

Did you know that after water, glycerin is the most moisturizing element found in cosmetic products? When liquid hand soap contains glycerin, the hands stay nourished and moisturized. On the other hand, it should be recognized that glycerin attenuates the detergent and antiseptic role of soap; hence the need for a good dosage.

Be careful with fragrance if you have fragile skin.

When you have fragile and/or dry skin, when you use hydroalcoholic gel quite often, you should avoid liquid hand soaps containing perfume as much as possible. Indeed, perfume is often aggressive; moreover, it reinforces the capacity of the soap to eliminate viruses, bacteria and germs.

Choose liquid hand soap based on your activities.

The choice of a liquid hand soap must be made according to your activities. If you plan on just normal use, a simple cleansing soap is sufficient. However, you need a shop soap if you do manual work (garage workers, gardening professionals, etc.). Similarly, if you work in the health sector and are in daily contact with people, you will need antiseptic soap for maximum protection.

FAQ

How to make liquid hand soap? How to make liquid hand soap? How to soften liquid hand soap? What is mild soap? Why wash your tattoo with neutral pH soap?

You can make your own liquid hand soap by melting grated soap in boiling water. Add honey or glycerin and make it into a liquid soap texture. Off the heat, you pour in vegetable oil and a few drops of essential oils to soften and scent the whole thing.

It's entirely possible to design your own liquid hand soap, but you need to have solid soap and gather a few ingredients to do so. Know that you'll save time and energy by going straight for a good liquid hand soap where the cleaning aspects have been checked beforehand. Plus, you'll find something for every budget.

The best way to soften liquid hand soap is to add vegetable oil and essential oil at the end of the saponification process; that's where the "superfat soap" label comes from. You can make it yourself at home by adding shea butter and a few drops of sweet almond, eucalyptus, or lavender oil to your soap.

The term mild soap refers to soaps that wash and clean your skin without harming it. After each use, your hands come out clean, soft, nourished and moisturized. In general, only liquid hand soaps that incorporate organic and/or natural elements can claim the name mild soap, as chemical versions contain some skin-aggressive components, such as alcohol or sulfate.

If you have tattoos on your hands, we recommend using a pH-neutral liquid hand soap. Prefer mild soaps and superfatted soaps that don't assault the skin with harsh chemical components. As much as possible, turn to natural products with softeners and prefer perfume-free formulas that accelerate healing.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap 11
Le Petit Olivier - Pure Liquid Marseille Soap
Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook 12
Le Petit Marseillais - The Cook
Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash 13
Ecover - Sensitive Hand Wash
Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose 14
Panier des Sens - Liquid Marseille soap with rose
Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action 15
Le Chat - Hand washing gel with antibacterial action

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