According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others. This is always important but especially during a public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or even just during cold and flu season. Luckily, there are plenty of options for vegan liquid hand soaps from brands that don’t perform cruel tests on rabbits, rats, mice, and other animals. Since the act of handwashing itself is what removes germs from your hands, there’s no reason to use overly harsh antibacterial soaps. The products below are made with gentle ingredients, so you can wash your hands many times without drying out your skin.
These are some of our favorite vegan liquid hand soaps from brands that don’t test on animals:
Seventh Generation Hand Wash
You can select various scents, including Mandarin Orange and Grapefruit, which will help leave you feeling clean and refreshed.
Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Hand Soap
Mrs. Meyer’s is known for fun seasonal scents, but its classic scents can’t be beat.
Method Hand Wash
Method’s foaming and gel hand soaps are gentle on skin and free from harmful ingredients. Its line of kitchen hand soaps are specially formulated to tackle tough smells like garlic and onion.
Dove Lemon and Goji Berry Foaming Hand Wash
This foaming hand soap washes away bacteria, leaving behind only a fruity and fresh lemon and goji berry fragrance. Note: Other scents may contain cow’s milk, so be sure to check the ingredients before you buy.
Tom’s of Maine Prebiotic Liquid Hand Soap
This sulfate-free formula won’t dry out your skin, and it contains prebiotics to help promote the growth of good bacteria.
J.R. Watkins Gel Hand Soap
Natural essential oils give J.R. Watkins soaps a subtle, clean scent.
Baylis & Harding Goodness Oud, Cedar, and Amber Hand Wash
This earthy and warm scent by Baylis & Harding is perfect for creating a luxury bathroom experience.
Puracy Natural Foaming Hand Soap
Puracy’s gentle hand soap is available in two calming scents: Lavender & Vanilla and Cucumber & Mint.
ECOS Hypoallergenic Hand Soap
ECOS’ hypoallergenic soaps are great for those with sensitive skin.
Love Beauty and Planet Liquid Hand Wash
Indulge in luxurious scents such as Yuzu & Vanilla and Murumuru Butter & Rose.
Avalon Organics Glycerin Hand Soap
Botanical cleansers and essential oils help keep hands moisturized even after frequent washes.
Aēsop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
This earthy scent contains finely milled pumice for gentle exfoliation.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap
Dr. Bronner’s sugar soaps are available in half-gallon size, so you can cut down on waste. Plus, all of its products are vegan, so you can be sure there aren’t animal-derived ingredients like cow’s milk or honey.
EO Essential Oils Sulfate-Free Hand Soap
Bring aromatherapy into your bathroom routine with six refreshing scents.
Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soap
Olive oil–based castile soap is biodegradable and gentle enough to be used as a face wash as well.
It’s important to support brands that don’t use animals to test their cosmetics and household products. These companies subject rabbits, mice, rats, and other animals to painful skin irritation tests. These are often not effective, and since many non-animal testing methods are widely available, there’s no reason for brands to continue to use these cruel tests. Check our database to find out if your favorite brands are animal-friendly:
These guides can help you find more ways to stay clean with cruelty-free products:
