This cleanser was a favorite for two of our experts.

“This is a great body and face cleaner but I’ve been using it for my hands,” says Jenny Liu, MD,  a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis. 

“This is an especially rich cleanser well suited for extremely dry skin with niacinamide for calming and shea butter for rich moisturization,” says Dr. Hirsch.

“This product is extremely gentle and specifically is formulated for those with potential sensitivities, so a great all around option,” says Dr. Hirsch.

“This one contains oat and feverfew which are both extremely soothing to irritated skin. Gentle effective cleanser at a great price,” says Dr. Hirsch.

“I know this is marketed for the face but after washing my hands all day at work with harsh cleansers this is what I trust my hands with at home. It doesn’t strip my skin and no matter what I am doing running after three boys my hands do not crack and the skin stays intact so I can stay safe as a physician treating patients whose skin I have to touch during the day,” says Dr. Mariwalla.

This one was chosen by five of our experts. 

“I love Dove’s entire line of hand soaps, especially great for those of us (like moms and physicians) who wash our hands all day long. It has hydrating ingredients like glycerin, and stearic acid (aka proceramides) to help maintain and repair the skin barrier. It is paraben and sulfate free and peta certified (good for our skin and kind to animals too),” says Shari Marchbein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU’s School of Medicine.

“While washing our hands is important, it can take a toll on our skin barrier, causing dryness, irritation, and rashes.  I like this cleanser because it is effective without stripping the outer skin layer. It is formulated with the same types of ingredients found in traditional moisturizers to keep the hands hydrated,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

“This is my go to for those who prefer a pump. Gentle cleansers maintain skin barrier health while whisking away germs in the wash,” says Dr. Gohara.

“The past few years have been a great reminder that hand washing is an incredibly effective method to decrease disease transmission. Hand washing has historically been irritating and I’ve seen a rise in hand dryness and irritation with the rise in hand washing. Dove is a leader in gentle, effective cleansing. Their hand wash is my go to recommendation, especially for sensitive or eczema prone skin,” says Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

“I really love Dial Soap’s new Clean + Gentle line. At their core, hand soaps are meant to and should effectively clean our hands, so I tend to opt for antibacterial soaps (especially during a pandemic!). Some antibacterial soaps can be heavily loaded with fragrances or dyes, which can cause skin irritation. I love this one because it really cleans hands well and is also free of fragrance. It works without drying out my hands,” says Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pittsburgh.

“Vanicream is great not because of what it does have in it, but because of what it doesn’t. Fragrance free with a gentle surfactant it tends to the hands during cleansing,” says Dr. Gohara. 

“Yes, this hand wash is a little pricier than the average but it also feels like a special treat every time you wash with it. clove, palo santo, litsea and helichrysum essential oils are a natural antibacterial alternative and they float in a a blend of olive and sunflower seed oil. Not to mention it’s just gorgeous. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Guest bathroom soap!” – Chelsea Traber Burns, Beauty Director

“When I am on the go, I actuallypurchase a sample size of the Dove’s sensitive body wash. It fits very nicely in my handbag so  I don’t have to use the often harsh ones in public restrooms like airports,” says Adeline Kikam, MD, a dermatologist based in Texas.