hand wash
A very relevant category this, considering how many times we find ourselves rub-a-dubbing our paws these post pandemic days. Given that, we asked them to look for not just cleaning power but gentleness and ideally some degree of moisturisation. Also, to make the repeated process that bit more enjoyable, we asked for their comments on the fragrance. As with many other categories, testers rated the natural/more natural options highly. We particularly enjoyed one tester’s comment that she’d never thought she would get excited over a hand wash but times have changed. One thought on reading the questionnaires: given the differences with regard to moisturising that testers found using the same product, we wonder if hardness of local water supplies could be a possible contributory factor. NB All the products below scored highly, with new devotees from our tester panel – so do read all the write-ups.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Tisserand Bergamot & Sandalwood Comforting Hand Wash
If a hand wash can be a smash hit this was. Half the panel (five testers) gave it full marks and the overall average was nearly 9.5/10. The scent came in for rapturous comments but so too did cleansing ability and moisturisation. Part of the Nature’s Spa Collection, which has done so well in these Awards. This vegan formula promises citrus (bergamot) and woody (sandalwood) notes to comfort, with softening grapeseed, comfrey and aloe vera extracts to hydrate and inspire inner calm. (Which the testers will need after all the over excitement of discovering this…)
£14 for 195ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Beautiful spa-like hand wash. Love love love it!!!! Hands left clean and soft - with other hand washes I always need to moisturise after and did have some cracking during the pandemic through washing my hands all the time but no danger of that with this product. A little definitely goes a long way and with a splash of water lathered up nicely. Scent stays on your skin afterwards. Prefer to soap as its easier to store and no mess on the side of the sink’ • ‘Divine fragrance! The smell is the best part. It is really lovely - like a spa smell. Hands feel fairly moisturised after; definitely don't need to use hand cream. Love this liquid soap. It made me want to wash my hands. Gorgeous smell and moisturising on my hands. It would make a lovey gift for someone as it is such a divine spa smell’ • ‘Really nice product and easy to use. Foamed lovely, a little goes a long way. Spreads well and I felt my hands are thoroughly cleansed and moisturised. Beautiful product • ‘LOVE IT! Great smelling hand wash that leaves hand soft and soothed. I would give it as a present’ • ‘I like hand washes and rarely buy the same one twice as I get bored with them. As a dog owner I'm constantly washing my hands and they'd get sore and dry quite quickly. However, I've found this hand wash to be a lot less drying and I've complained about the state of my hands a lot less while using this lovely hand wash. The smell is zingy and fresh, but without being too much, especially first thing in a morning as I'm definitely not a morning person. It doesn't have any SLS in it, which I always find drying, and most cheap hand washes do. I have no idea how much this is but it feels like a justifiable treat as it was such a pleasure to use, and I will definitely be stocking up as I don't want to run out’ • ‘Fragrance was delicate, orange-y and delicious; hands left moisturised and smelling gorgeous. Really like the plastic-but-looked-like-glass bottle! Made me feel like I was in a fancy restaurant washing my hands :) ’ • ‘It's a lovely hand wash that smells really nice – lots of herbs, botanicals and florals, not too sweet - and leaves your hands clean and smooth, moisturised and soft, not dried out’ • ‘this is a beautiful hand wash, great packaging and a great product. It works well and smells amazing. I will definitely be buying this again’ • ‘This hand wash smells utterly divine. I liked the packaging, which looked lovely beside the sink. The tinted brown bottle looks really spa-like. The pump dispenser was sturdy and good quality and it didn’t slip from wet hands. One pump was enough and the hand wash spread over hands well. It lathers gently, but thoroughly. The essential oils are both luxurious, and very natural. The scent is gorgeous, but not overpowering.’
£14 for 195ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Messiah and Eve HAND WASH .liberation
Okay, so the liberation is not, perhaps sadly, from kitchen sink chores but the newest fine fragrance from this cult British brand. Honestly, we could be writing about a perfume: the fragrance ‘starts with green violet leaves uplifted by lemon for tonality, with a light jasmine and cardamom heart, drifting into a dry wood base of amber and musk’. Quite a unisex scent, testers said, remarking that it was quite manly (James Bond as played by Sean Connery, one tester fantasised) – a point of difference with most hand washes. Messiah and Eve was founded by Sarah Sklavenitis to ‘redefine luxury’ and you might be surprised to hear that ‘hand wash is for showing off’. So… this ‘sink side game changer’ was formulated for effective and frequent cleansing with moisture-locking ingredients (glycerin and vitamin E, with Aquaxyl™ complex) to beat post wash dryness – plus the fragrance factor of course! It’s vegan friendly and never tested on animals. The bottle is 100% PCR material and the pump 50%; they’re both reusable and recyclable. Another very, very high scoring product that testers were bowled over by. And for this elevated product, you get a big 300ml bottle for a pretty good price.
£17 for 300ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Loved this product the scent was amazing and the bottle looked good on the sink. It had a manly fragrance, which was very pleasing and it would make a lovely gift. Hands left thoroughly cleansed and smelling really good – and definitely not needing hand cream’ • ‘Amazing fragrance the men in the house loved it. Smells like an expensive aftershave’ • ‘from the first use hands felt clean, softer and more comfortable. Lovely fragrance. My young niece looked forward to using the "nice hand wash" when she visited and she is very particular about the scent of her hand soaps! Bar soap can leave the hands feeling dry but this left hands feeling very soft and smelling lovely. I have bought more as I used up the entire bottle. Feels expensive, smells lovely, a real treat’ • ‘You only need a small amount to clean hands as gives a good creamy wash. Don’t need hand cream straight after, as hands feel quite moisturised. Loved the fragrance. It is quite a manly fragrance but I like the spiciness and warming aroma. It also lasts on the hands and I liked to smell them, as it was so gorgeous. A rich, warming smell that conjures up visions of how James Bond may have smelled when Sean Connery played him’ • ‘ I always think that buying cheap hand washes is counter productive. You need to use so much more and your hands end up dry and sore. This hand wash left my hands feeling smooth and soft and I loved the smell as it made me feel good’ • ‘I wouldn't normally give this much attention to something as everyday as hand wash but I was really taken by this. Yes, the scent of it was right up my street but so was its effectiveness. It made it a pleasure to wash your hands. Let's face it: it's something we all do so frequently why not make it a bit of a luxurious ritual? I haven't enjoyed washing my hands this much, scent-wise, since Molton Brown's Rose Granati. There's not a huge amount you can wax lyrical about with hand wash but this was beautiful. It would make a lovely gift or for a guest bathroom experience. Or just to make a humble activity more exciting. Loved it’ • ‘This makes washing your hands a real pleasure. Scent lasts for ages and is very classy and unisex. Hands definitely softened after use. Love the bottle and branding - it looks very smart in my bathroom and would definitely repurchase this one. This is a real treat every time I wash my hands. Lovely strong scent with staying power (I can smell it as I type) and so hydrating. Really luxurious, nicely made product and I like how a little goes a long way so you don’t have to use much. My other half doesn’t normally notice products and he noticed that it was hydrating his hands after washing. I really love this product and wouldn’t be without it. Lovely smell quite sophisticated and it really moisturises your hands. It’s lasting well too.’
£17 for 300ml - click to buy
SILVER AWARD Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Hand Wash
This Limited Edition for Mother’s Day features top notes of ginger on a base of soft musk to signpost delicate ginger lilies peeking through Polynesian foliage around a lagoon. All wrapped around a bouquet of tuberose, cedarwood and spicy cardamom. So every time you wash your paws, you can dream of exotic Tahitian beaches. It foams nicely due to sodium laureth sulphate, among other lab made ingredients but no parabens. Manufactured at the brand’s Elsenham carbon neutral facility, he formula is 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free, with refillable packaging.
£22 for 300ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I absolutely love this product, so much so it’s been added to my Christmas list. The consistency is so much thicker than my usual brands, it feels amazing to use in comparison and left my hands soft and smooth and although I’m an avid user of hand cream I noticed immediately it just wasn't needed. On e of the best hand washes I’ve tried’ • ‘A must have product, which would make every hand wash a relaxing, and invigorating experience. Really loved the fragrance, smells heavenly. Very nice texture with just the right amount of foam and it’s a very economical product. I have bought it before and it’s now a staple in my collection’ • ‘It dispenses very easily. It spreads well and foams well, making your hands feel thoroughly washed, clean and fresh. It has a lovely fragrance and feels luxurious’ • ‘I have used Molton Brown hand wash in the past and so was delighted to be able to try another scent. Great quality hand wash as expected from the brand, the scent is subtle but strong enough to leave a delicate scent on your hands afterwards that is quite long lasting. Hands felt moisturised and soft. I use a lot of hand cream out of habit but didn't always felt like I needed to apply as much after using the hand wash. Lovely posh hand wash to treat yourself to’ • ‘Very nice. A lovely hand soap that cleans well and leaves a pleasant light fragrance. I was worried with it being gingerlily, as I don't like ginger but it was a nice floral smell.’
£22 for 300ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL Bramley Hand Wash
Chloe Luxton created the Bramley range for the guest bathrooms at The Beckford Arms in Wiltshire, a wonderful country gastro pub with rooms (properly dog friendly too, as Sarah’s cockapoo Cassie can testify). It was so popular that guests wanted to buy them for their own bathrooms and so, as Chloe says, ‘this little apple seed began to grow into something bigger’. As well as hand and body products, you can now buy Bramley scented candles/room fragrance and there’s a child’s range called Little B. There’s a big emphasis on nature and sustainability, and Bramley contributes to charities such as Plantlife. The mainly natural ingredients listing in this countryside hand wash features organic apple fruit extract, plus a bunch of other lovely botanicals. Bramley is vegan and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free. The fragrance seems to be an aid to deep breathing too, according to our testers.
£18 for 250ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I never expect much from a hand wash. All I want is for it to wash my hands and not to dry them out too much. But this hand wash, although so simple in its appearance, packs a punch of goodness. The texture is perfect, as you don’t lose half of it down the drain. And the fragrance makes you stop and take a deep breath for a minute or so’ • ‘This is not just your standard supermarket hand wash. This is a hand wash that cleans your hands without drying them out. This is a hand wash that captivates your senses every time you wash your hands. The fragrance uplifts your mood and makes you take a deep breath every time you use it’ • ‘I like the texture, it's not too thin or too thick; it doesn't foam much which I like, and I only used a half of pump - one pump would be wasteful. Hands felt very clean and moisturised with an amazing subtle fragrance; must try!’ • ‘Good cleansing, nice scented soap. I like the packaging. It would look good in any bathroom or kitchen. Simple but classy. Smells very nice. Good lather. Easy to rinse away. Liked this a lot’ • ‘I always use a liquid hand wash. This one is nice smelling and very economical. I have also used it for washing my make-up brushes and they have come out very soft and sweet smelling. I wash my hands a lot as I hate them being dirty. This left hands clean and fresh; there's no need to moisturise after’ • ‘A little bit is plenty with this product; I did not feel like I needed several pumps to wash my hands. Lathers well and I felt hands were cleaned thoroughly and felt fresh’ • ‘I absolutely love the fresh fragrance, which will uplift your mood; best thing about the product ’ • ‘Thoroughly effective hand wash with a fresh fragrance. The texture is a bit like thicker jelly consistency. It is perfect as half of it is not lost dawn the drain. It gives time to massage the product well into the hands and wash hands properly.’
£18 for 250ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD L'OCCITANE Shea Verbena Hands & Body Liquid Soap
Even very sensitive-skinned testers (and touchy-skinned husbands) found this best selling hand wash didn't irritate, probably because the formula was developed for dry, sensitive and damaged skin, and for frequent usage. It’s detergent-free and rich in nourishing emollient shea butter (Fair Trade from a women cooperative in Burkina Faso) and vegetable oils, led by sunflower seed oil. Part of the very popular Verveine (lemon verbena) range from this much-loved French brand. The big pump dispenser came in for positive comments, too, as perfect for families to keep by the kitchen sink. Sustainable point to note: you can buy eco-refills.
£17.50 for 300ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Lovely - perfect for a frequently used hand soap. We have switched from our previous preferred soap and now consider this product to be our soap of choice in our kitchen. Easy to use, lovely scent and looks after our hands - what's not to love? We have already bought an eco refill as we liked this product so much’ • ‘This product is just incredible. I can’t believe how little you need to get a good foam and a great wash. In fact if you use too much, it’s quite slippy – so much that my hubby’s wedding ring fell off after using it for the first time in 35 years. So I reckon this is going to be the most cost effective hand wash I’ve ever used. And the fragrance. Oh, it’s just so wonderful. Intoxicating, fresh, light, zingy, reminds me of holidays and Summer days. I just love it. I’m totally addicted to this. Hand washing has never been so pleasurable! I’m addicted. It’s absolutely mind-blowingly gorgeous’ • ‘The difference between a cheap and expensive hand wash isn’t always that great in my experience, with some budget lines being more moisturising or fragrant, but this L’Occitane hand wash really felt like a more up-market product to me. This was primarily because of its gorgeous lemony fragrance, which has a real Proustian element for me, from brushing verbena leaves as a child in a local botanical garden with my Mum. Nostalgia aside, it really is a deliciously fresh and bright scent and gives you that little burst of happiness every time you’re performing as mundane a task as washing your hands - that’s the real definition of luxury for me’ • ‘Well, I have to tell the truth my husband looks forward to receiving the parcel from you as I do and likes to inspect the items to see if there is anything for him and I lost this immediately. The lovely soothing happy smell did it - he used this for washing his hair and body wash plus hand wash. He is susceptible to sensitive skin and was thrilled to bits as he found it's very good and very softening and loves the smell – I could smell the fragrance as I entered the bathroom. He also says “buy some” and I would buy this as it's the value of both hand cream and soap’ • ‘An excellent hand wash with a gorgeous scent of uplifting lemon verbena - the real star feature of this product for me. I would recommend it for frequent use. The pump is excellent - works every time, dispenses just the right amount and is easily controllable with the back of a mucky hand! I stationed the hand wash by our kitchen sink, so it has had heavy usage throughout the test period, dealing with everything from muddy post-allotment hands to raw chicken juices. It's very easy to use and I got to the bottom of the dispenser. I always add a little water when they are finished to squeeze out the last drops and not waste anything! Our water is fairly soft so I didn't need a lot. The texture is nice and foams well. Hands felt squeaky clean and soft. I didn’t feel the need to apply hand cream after each wash as it felt gentle and did not dry my skin out. It left my hands feeling ‘neutral’ which is a compliment - it didn’t irritate or dry them out, which is high praise from someone with sensitive skin issues!’
£17.50 for 300ml - click to buy