Hand wash might not rank high on your list of pulse-raising beauty purchases – or at least, it didn’t in the pre-pandemic age. Now, a chic bottle of liquid soap makes that habitual hand-washing a little less tedious, and even a touch luxurious.
The best luxury hand washes do more than simply cleanse, too. Deliciously scented, they’ll add a sense of ritual to every turn of the taps. And of course, the best-looking bottles are a status-symbol sink accessory (especially if they come with sustainable credentials to boot).
From aromatherapy blends to trophy-worthy refillable bottles, see the Bazaar verdict on the chicest hand soaps to place in your home – or give as a thoughtful housewarming present.
The best luxury hand soaps to indulge in now
A seriously chic move, Dior's Lucky hand soap boasts a luxurious lather and smells as fresh as a bouquet of lilies. It's such a joy to use that you'll never rush your way through washing your hands again.
Small-batch beauty brand Pelegrims sources its raw ingredients from the bottom of the winemaker's barrel. Based in Kent, the independent operation buys waste product from Westwell Wines, using it to enrich its 'low-intervention' formulas.
A great introduction to the brand, the Hand Cleanser contains English ortega grape extract alongside crushed walnut shells for satisfying grit. It smells predictably delicious, and will look chic on the side of any sink.
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Space NK's own hand and body line was designed to fill a gap in the retailer's shelves, offering luxe scents and skin-kind formulas with a price tag that means you don't feel compelled to 'save for best'.
The Rewild hand soap is our top pick: sweet almond and coconut oils leave hands feeling nourished, while the fragrant black pepper and juniper blend is a breath of fresh air.
The icing on the cake? The bottles can be refilled in flagship stores across the country – and there's a matching hand lotion to place alongside.
Le Labo's hand wash may look understated to the untrained eye, but those in the know will instantly recognise the cream and black bottle. Rich and creamy, this hydrating wash will leave hands soft and nourished, while the woody, incense-spiked Hinoki fragrance is sure to please.
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Independent UK-based brand Commune produces thoughtful products that marry sustainable practice with total luxury. The brand's small-batch hand wash is made with gentle cleansing ingredients, moisturising olive oil, and a blend of invigorating essential oils. The bottle is made from infinitely recyclable aluminium.
Clearly the most beautiful bathroom addition, Diptyque's engraved glass soap dispenser is designed to be treasured: it can be kept topped up using the brand's low-waste (and pleasingly priced) refill pouches.
Not just an extremely chic choice, the formula inside is a treat too: tiny olive-stone beads gently exfoliate, while the green, floral scent leaves a refreshing trail.
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Musk and peach bring a soft, fuzzy-edged new feel to Fresh's classic rose fragrance this season.
Many of the plant extracts in Wildsmith Skin's creations are grown on the grounds of Heckfield Place – the birthplace of the brand. Combining local sourcing with potent aromatherapy properties – expect a calming blend of chamomile and woods – this hand wash encapsulates modern luxury.
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As chic as the brand's much-Instagrammed perfume bottles, this weighty liquid hand soap is a very sleek choice. The fragrance blends rose with raspberry and musk, while the formula is gentle and nourishing. Team it with the matching hand cream for a lasting scent.
If Aesop's hand soap looks familiar, it's because it features in the bathroom of many a buzzy bar and restaurant across the country. (Rumour has it, the brand personally approves every placement.)
Not just a very good-looking bottle, this refreshing soap is fragranced with rosemary and lavender essential oils: a truly crowd-pleasing scent.
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As crisp and refreshing as the matching cologne, Guerlain's liquid soap is a seriously refined option. The faceted glass bottle is the weightiest of the bunch, and the lather is fine and frothy. Double the trail with the matching hand lotion.
Trust Ouai to breathe new life into the hand-wash category. Part of the brand's new bodycare line, this minimalist bottle contains a rich, low-foaming liquid soap that leaves hands feeling refreshed and replenished. The meadow-fresh Dean Street fragrance is a fan favourite for good reason, and the biodegradable exfoliating particles only enhance the spa-like luxury.
The bottle is recyclable – but why throw it away when you can keep it topped up with the brand's eco refills?
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Big Fashion is coming for the homeware market, but few have managed to make the humble hand soap as covetable as Loewe. These chic (and heavy) glass bottles house a gentle, conditioning soap in the brand's much-loved greenhouse-inspired scents.
Jo Malone London is undoubtedly the most classic choice, and the timeless Lime, Basil & Mandarin remains our favourite scent year-round. Zesty and sharp, it refreshes hands and the senses.
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Boasting Malin + Goetz''s cult-favourite dark rum scent, this indulgent wash will linger on your skin beyond the bubbles and rinse. The brown-sugar sweetness is tempered by a warming woody base, creating a scent so good you'll want to slather it on head to toe (good thing there's a matching Perfume Oil, then.)
Inspired by Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Penhaligon's delicately scented hand soap is nothing short of decadent. Luxe from skin to scent, this nurturing olfactive rinse not only duplicates the same golden mimosa and soft musk aromas of the matching perfume, it also contains a trifecta of hydrating ingredients: vitamin E, glycerin and panthenol.
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Ortigia prides itself in showcasing the best of Sicily's opulent aesthetics, and this sophisticated liquid soap is no exception: as ornamental as it is functional, it's a real work of art.
The formula is infused with the brand's Florio scent: a refreshing blend of jasmine and wild iris.
