5 Most Moisturizing Hand Soaps for Eczema That Won't Dry out Your Skin
Washing your hands should be a simple and routine task that doesn't require much thought. But for those with eczema, it can be a major difficulty that leads to intense itching, scaling, cracking, and bleeding. As someone who suffers from hand eczema personally, I know just how tricky it is to find a hand soap that alleviates the experience. Even soaps that are marketed as “hydrating” and "nourishing” might not be suitable for sensitive skin, and most products are packed with surfactants and manufactured chemicals that trigger rashes. In order to make your next trip to the sink a bit easier, here are the best hand soaps that cleanse away germs without unsettling your skin's natural pH levels.
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1 Pharmaceutical Specialties Free and Clear Liquid Cleanser
This soapless cleanser was designed specifically with skin sensitivities in mind: The liquid formula can be applied head to toe, and is free of anything that could possibly offend your skin (read: free of sulfates, parabens, betaine, dyes, and fragrance).
To buy: $9, dermstore.com.
2 Eczema Honey Foaming Hand Soap
The combination of essential oils in Eczema Honey’s formula pumps out as an indulgent foam that cleanses hands while hydrating them at the same time (think of it like a soap and hand cream in one). It’s also infused with colloidal oatmeal to soothe inflamed skin, and organic honey powder which acts as a humectant to lock in moisture.
To buy: $9, eczemahoneyco.com.
3 Attitude Skincare Extra Gentle Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
Formulated as fragrance-free for people with odor sensitivities, Attitude Skincare’s hypoallergenic and EWG-verified soap is derived from plant- and mineral-based ingredients to soothe and protect sensitive skin.
To buy: $7, attitudeliving.com.
4 Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Eczema sufferers are usually used to avoiding standard bar soaps, but there are cleansing bars on the market that won't dry you out. Case in point: Cetaphil’s detergent-free formula gently cleanses skin without stripping it of its natural protective oils or emollients.
To buy: $6, cvs.com.
5 Dove Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Foaming Liquid Hand Wash Soap
Dove’s alcohol-free, dye-free, and sulfate-free soaps create a creamy lather that provides skin with 24 hours of hydration without leaving behind a greasy film. Despite it containing a light fragrance, it’s less prone to provoke eczema-prone skin thanks to the heavy dose of soothing moisturizers that it contains.
To buy: $3, target.com.