Best Moisturizing Hand Washes

Years from now, historians will look back at the early 2020s and remember it as the year of the pandemic, protests and… handwashing.

Yes, the once-simple act of washing your hands has become one of many, many surprising headlines of the year.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the moon’s Sea of Tranquility (in which case, lucky you), you’ll know that in the ongoing battle against Covid, it's never been more pressing to keep our paws clean. But all that soap, water and lather can leave the skin on your hands sore and red raw.

That’s why you should pick a hand wash with hydrating properties. Packed with nourishing ingredients like Shea butter, hyaluronic acid and Aloe Vera, they’ll not only keep your hands cleansed and crack-free, but moisturised and supple too.

From gently scented liquid soaps to rub in as you count seconds at the sink, to refillable designs to cut back your plastic consumption, it’s time to give your skin a helping hand.

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, 500ml

Gentle and nourishing, Aesop’s products have a cult following and with good reason. The Aussie brand is famed for expertly caring for skin without drying it out.

Case in point? Their Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, which contains a mix of healing and hydrating mandarin, rosemary and lavender oils to leave hands clean, fragrant and healthy. The invigorating, herby-woody scent is a delight too. Extra points for the bumper 500ml size and gender-neutral packaging which makes it a great gift option as well as a blow-out treat for yourself.

At just shy of £30, it’s not a bargain buy but a little goes a long way: the large size should see you through many washes. Display it in your guest bathroom to treat visitors or hide it in your bathroom to keep it all to yourself. Refills available.

Buy now £29, Aesop

Diptyque Softening Hand Wash

Fancy splashing out on an indulgent treat? It doesn’t get much more bouji than Diptyque’s luxurious hand wash. Filled with ingredients designed to soften and condition skin, the liquid soap contains Provençal true lavender as well as notes of rosemary, amber and a gentle fragrance of ylang ylang. Your hands will feel like they’re on a spa mini-break with every use.

Best of all you can refill the beautifully embossed glass dispenser with a matching Comforting Hand Wash Refill, 350ml.

Buy now £48, Diptyque

REN Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Energising Hand Wash

Harnessing the power and cleansing properties of the sea, REN’s vegan Atlantic Kelp range uses microalga extract to protect epidermis from stress as well as lowering the release of cortisol, which leaves skin feeling more refreshed. Bag the hand lotion too, and wave goodbye to dry skin.

Buy now £22, Space NK

L’Occitane Ultra Rich Hand & Body Wash, 300ml

Famed for its moisturising properties, Shea is a great ingredient to look out for in skincare. There’s spades of it in L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich cleansing soap, which you can use on your body as well as your hands.

Just like all of the brand’s products, it’s made in France and comes in 300ml and 500ml with a refill pouch also available for topping up once you’ve finished your original purchase.

Buy now £22, L’Occitane