Good hand hygiene is great for preventing the spread of COVID-19, but also common cold viruses as autumn approaches. Unlike this spring, we're now dealing with cold weather, which makes our hands even drier after all the hand washing. Therefore, it's extra important to choose a soap that not only cleanses but also moisturizes. I'll share tips about the 5 best organic hand soaps that are economical, cleanse thoroughly, and moisturize.
Solid organic soaps
Distinguish between industrial and handmade organic solid soaps. Industrially manufactured soaps get ugly cracks and dry out the skin as valuable moisturizers like glycerin are missing or removed in the soap-making process. Organic artisan soaps are made from vegetable oils and fats where all nutrients and glycerin get to remain in the soap. The advantages of a solid organic soap are that they usually:
are cheaper
are concentrated
have plastic-free packaging
are water-free and don't need preservatives
Vermont Soap – Organic Handmade Soap Lemongrass, 85 g
Vermont's solid soaps have a 200-year-old recipe and are all developed to be hypoallergenic. The soap is so gentle and lovely on both hands and body. Plus extremely economical! Of all the scents, I prefer lemongrass as it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, among other things.Maybe not for COVID's sake (it is a virus after all) but it feels theoretically good to wash with in the kitchen or after using the bathroom. Now it's not strongly scented but I like the idea of lemongrass anyway.
Grön Lycka – La Provence Solid Soap, 110 g
For those who love beautiful and insanely fragrant soaps, you should treat yourself to a soap from Grön Lycka.A clever feature is that the soaps contain a bit of clay that makes them firmer, so they don't get soggy as easily. Choose Grön Lycka if you also want to wash your face with soap. They are all so luxuriously nourishing and cleanse thoroughly at the same time. Available in three different scents to choose from. They all smell divinely good so it's hard to choose a favorite. However, I have a weakness for lavender so my choice is La Provence.
Dr. Bronner's – Bar Soap Baby Mild, 140 g
Here you get a lot of soap for your money, so if you're a heavy user, Dr. Bronner's might be something for you. Dr. Bronner's soaps are not only organic but also made with fairtrade ingredients. It's said that these soaps are magical as they can be used for so many things. Everything from dishwashing, laundry, cleaning, to shaving, washing makeup brushes, hands, body and hair, etc. This fragrance-free variant also works excellently for pets. The soaps are also incredibly economical, effective at dissolving grease and dirt, lather nicely yet still don't dry out the skin. Perhaps it's because they're enriched with extra, moisturizing glycerin. Dr. Bronner's also has liquid soaps if you prefer that.
To prevent the soaps from getting soggy, I recommend a soap dish where water can drain away, so the soap can dry after use. Check out Vermont Soap's soap dishes.
Liquid organic soaps
The advantage of a liquid organic soap is that:
they are easy to use, even for children
convenient to have in the shower
more nourishing and less drying compared to conventional soap
Personally, I prefer foaming organic soaps that are also:
easy to dose and hard to overdose
mess-free and fun to use
economical and long-lasting
Vermont Soap – Foaming Soap Lemongrass, 355 ml
Vermont Soap's wonderful, organic soaps come in all different forms. Solid, liquid, foam and as shower gel. My favorite is the foaming variant that feels luxurious as it doesn't contain water but has aloe vera juice as its base. This is a super fine and gentle soap.It pumps out a rich and thick foam that feels lovely and soft against the skin. The scent feels fresh and makes the soap very pleasant to have at the sink, in the shower and kitchen. A big plus is that it's also very affordable.
Eco by Sonya – Lemongrass Cleansing Foam 375 ml
Eco by Sonya's foam soap is also water-free and has aloe vera juice as its base.If you're looking for a liquid soap that works for hands, body and face, you should try this one. A large bottle that lasts a long time and cleanses well and gently. Customers experience that their skin becomes clearer with less acne/blemishes on both face and body. Not surprising since it's enriched with lemongrass and grapefruit which gives the soap antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The foam soap also dissolves makeup without drying out the skin. Those with dull and mature skin find that their face looks more vibrant. For those who use the Double Cleansing Method (i.e., first cleanse the face with oil-based cleansing and then wash with a water-based cleanser), this foam soap is lovely as a "second cleanser".
This is actually a soap developed for hands and body, but it has become very appreciated as a facial soap.
