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Best hand soap in Australia 2020

We read hundreds of customer and expert reviews uncover the 5 best hand washes that kill germs and keep your hands healthy at any budget.

Tim Falk
Tim Falk

Updated

Fact checked
Mother and daughter washing hands in the bathroom, getting ready for the day.

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The best hand soap in Australia

How did we pick this list?

How did we pick this list?
Our editorial team selected the hand soaps on this list based on actual customer reviews. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best budget pick: Dettol Lemon and Lime Antibacterial Hand Wash

  • Kills 99.99% of germs
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Still not the cheapest option available
  • Some other brands also offer cheaper refills
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Chemist Warehouse

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 9 Chemist Warehouse customer reviews, plus a 4.7 average rating from 15 Amazon reviews (6 x 250mL pack), Dettol Lemon and Lime Antibacterial Hand Wash is our pick as the best budget option.

Available online for less than $2 per 250mL bottle, it's not the cheapest hand wash available but is still at an affordable price point. Dettol claims this hand wash can kill 99.99% of germs without water, while it's also dermatologically tested and pH balanced to be soft on skin.

950mL refill bottles are available when your pump runs dry.

Best mid-range pick: Dettol Rose and Cherry in Bloom Foam Hand Wash

  • Kills 99.9% germs
  • 900mL refills available
  • Some people prefer liquid hand wash
  • Contains sodium laureth sulfate (not great for sensitive skin)
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Chemist Warehouse
Buy at Catch

Why we chose it

With 4.9 out of 5 from 9 Chemist Warehouse customer reviews, plus an average of 4.8 out of 5 from 10 Amazon customer reviews, this foaming hand wash from Dettol is our pick as the best mid-range option.

Commonly priced at around $2.50 per 250mL bottle, this antibacterial formula is designed to kill 99.9% of germs. It's dermatologically tested and has a claimed shelf life of 730 days.

The Rose and Cherry in Bloom is also well liked by reviewers, while you can pick up a 900mL refill pack for around $7

Best high-end pick: Sukin Cleansing Hand Wash

Sukin Cleansing Hand Wash

  • Designed to moisturise dry hands
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Pricey
  • Not antibacterial
Buy at Chemist Warehouse
Buy at Flora & Fauna
Buy at Pharmacy Online

Why we chose it

With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 24 Chemist Warehouse reviews, plus 4.9 out of 5 from 73 Google reviews, Sukin Cleansing Hand Wash is definitely worth a look if you're searching for high-end hand wash.

With an RRP of $17.95 for a 1L bottle, this hand wash is designed to gently clean dirt and grime from hands. It features avocado, jojoba and rosehip oil, along with aloe vera and chamomile to soothe and clean skin.

Best for sensitive skin: Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Hand Wash

Ecostore Ultra Sensitive

  • Fragrance-free
  • Made from plant-based ingredients
  • Expensive
  • Refills only come in 500mL
Buy at Chemist Warehouse
Buy at Nourished Life
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

With an average rating of 4.8 from 4 Chemist Warehouse customer ratings, plus an average score of 4.6 out of 5 from 23 ratings on Nourished Life, Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Hand Wash is designed for those who have an adverse reaction to ordinary hand soaps.

Fragrance-free, this hand wash is made from plant-based ingredients designed to clean and nourish skin. Harakeke is included to hydrate skin, while this product is also suitable for septic tanks and greywater use.

The bottles are also made from 100% recyclable materials.

Best fragrance-free hand wash: QV Gentle Wash

  • Colour- and fragrance-free
  • Available in bulk
  • Not a standalone hand wash
  • Not antibacterial
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Chemist Warehouse
Buy at Pharmacy online

Why we chose it

With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 from more than 400 Chemist Warehouse customer reviews, plus 4 out of 5 from 26 productreview.com.au reviews, QV Gentle Wash is an option worth considering if you're searching for a fragrance-free product.

Made without any soaps, colours or fragrances, QV Gentle Wash is designed for use on both normal and sensitive skin. It contains added moisturisers to help soften skin, while the fact that it's also non-comedogenic means that it won't block pores.

QV Gentle Wash is also designed not to strip away the skin's natural oils, and it can also be used each day to wash the face and body.

Methodology

  • We compared hand soaps and hand washes from more than 15 brands.
  • We based our top picks on real customer reviews.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

Where to buy hand soap online

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