You’d think that all hand soaps wouldn’t be that different, but as it turns out, there are actually significant differences in the qualities of said products. Some of the seemingly harmless ingredients, such as the addition of “Fragrance”, are actually rather toxic, and should rather be read as “hidden chemicals”. There are plenty of hand soap components which further irritate respiratory or skin problems. The more harmful hand soaps even contain an abundance of “endocrine disruptors” – which is the scientific term for chemicals that cause hormone irregularities. These include muscle damage, thyroid issues, and even fertility concerns.
The Hand Soap Brands Experts Are Warning Against Usage
#32 Method Pink Grapefruit Hand Soap
Speaking of the ominous Fragrance term, Method must be mentioned due to their all-encompassing usage of the term within their ingredients.
Moreover, Method splurge in plenty of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, and Methylisothiazolinone – chemicals which can easily bring inflammation to your skin and respiratory system. Methylchloroisothiazolinone is used in the creation of paper coatings, if you needed more reasons not to use it. Rather leave something like Methylchloroisothiazolinone to the good people at Dunder Mifflin.
Method Pink Grapefruit Hand Soap
#31 Nature’s Gate Liquid Hand Soap in Oatmeal
You might not want to enter this nature’s gate. Do not be fooled by the harmless-sounding “greenwashing” in this hand soap’s title, this is another Fragrance poison featuring all three of the above-mentioned chemicals. Then there is also Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate and Phenoxyethanol, which will easily bring irritation to the body and even act as neurotoxins! While skin problems are a serious issue, you really do not want your brain being poisoned, so keep clear of this product, for peace of mind.
Natures Gate Liquid Hand Soap In Oatmeal
#30 Source Aloe Vera Moisturizing Soap
Aldi happens to be one of the most beloved hands soap brands, but this particular product is dangerous, despite being cleverly branded as an aloe vera product. Look out for the high Fragrance contents here, as well as DMDM Hydantoin, which is a formaldehyde-expelling substance again causing trouble with breathing and inflammation in the skin. There could also be carcinogenic qualities to this hand soap. Rather go for a truly organic product that contains actual aloe vera properties.
Source Aloe Vera Moisturizing Soap
#29 Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap Refill in Grapefruit
More Fragrance toxins here in this Lysol product, along with plenty of Lauramide DEA, a chemical established as a carcinogenic following some chemical trials. DEA stands for diethanolamine, from which fatty acids are derived. Lauramide DEA is a kind of waxy solid or viscous liquid. There are many different bath products, shampoos, lotions, and hair dyes that are made from Lauramide DEA. This chemical makes the foaming capacity of products like this one far stronger.
Lysol No Touch Hand Soap Refill In Grapefruit
#28 Equate Liquid Hand Soap with Milk & Honey
Here we have another deceptively harmless-sounding hand soap. Do not be deceived by its “Milk & Honey” exterior, this hand soap is filled with recurring offenders DMDM Hydantoin and Fragrance. DMDM Hydantoin has no order, is white in color, and can take a crystalline form. It is inserted into hand soap products to its antimicrobial properties, as well as for its preservative functions. It will allow beauty and hygiene products to enjoy a longer shelf life.
Equate Liquid Hand Soap With Milk And Honey
#27 Bath & Body Works Endless Weekend Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
Bath & Body Works is one of the most carelessly harmful sanitary companies on earth. Anyone who has suffered from one of their revolting products’ usage will strongly warn you to stay well away from their stores. This is the kind of company which will put both Parfum and Fragrance on their products without realizing that both words have the same meaning. Such a composition brings a terrifying cocktail of Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Triethylene Glycol, and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. All these scary sounding chemicals are irritants, with Triethylene Glycol being particularly harmful to pregnant women.
Bath And Body Works Endless Weekend Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#26 Softsoap Rich Shea Butter Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap
Here is another deceptive promise of healthy moisturizing under the cover of “shea butter”. Softsoap ensured that this particular hand soap contained enough DMDM Hydantoin and Fragrance to make anyone unwell. DMDM Hydantoin will begin releasing small amounts of formaldehyde as it remains unused on the shelf. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic for humans. Although you are highly unlikely to develop cancer from such small amounts of formaldehyde, it would be best to simply avoid it.
Softsoap Rich Shea Butter Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap
#25 Bath & Body Works Sea Island Cotton Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap
Our repeat offender, Bath & Body Works, further drags its brand trustworthiness through the dirt with this Triethylene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Methylisothiazolinone, and Fragrance packed poison. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, or ALS, is often confused with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). In contrast to SLS, ALS has a more complex molecular structure, meaning that it will not make it past our upper skin layers as efficiently as SLS. Despite ALS being less harmful than SLS, it is still best avoided.
Bath And Body Works Sea Island Cotton Anti Bacterial Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap
#24 Bath & Body Works White Citrus Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
Get a load of this “White Citrus” flavored venom, filled with Parfum, Fragrance, and BHT, which is suspected of being a carcinogen as well as an allergen. BHT, or butylated hydroxytoluene, can be found in hand soaps, moisturizers, and beauty products, as well as in food products in the form of preservatives. Some of the most worrying results in BHT-related research showed the inhibition of male sex hormones, potentially leading to issues in the human reproductive system.
Bath And Body Works White Citrus Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
#23 Antibacterial Dial Liquid Hand Soap in Spring Water
This Dial product contains anything but spring water, we’re afraid. There is, however, plenty of the aforementioned carcinogen and allergen BHT, Triclocarban (which brings a triple threat of hormone imbalances: infertility, thyroid issues and muscle movement troubles). Triclocarban was recently condemned by more than 200 scientists with the release of the Florence Statement on Triclosan and Triclocarban. Triclocarban can easily turn into chloroanilines, which are chemicals linked to the formation of cancer in the human body.
Antibacterial Dial Liquid Hand Soap In Spring Water
#22 Yardley Liquid Hand Soap in Oatmeal & Almond
You might be seeing a trend in natural-themed hand soaps, with this “Oatmeal & Almond” Yardley special featuring DMDM Hydantoin (perhaps a carcinogen), Triclosan (endocrine destabilizer linked to thyroid and fertility issues, Lauramide DEA (a potential carcinogen) and Fragrance. What exactly is so bad about Fragrance? As it turns out, an extensive list’s worth of problems. Fragrance can trigger asthma attacks, disrupt hormones, worsen allergic reactions, and even act as neurotoxins in some of the more harmful cases.
Yardley Liquid Hand Soap In Oatmeal And Almond
#21 Dial Hand Soap in White Tea & Vitamin E Pearls
You might not believe that something filled with Vitamin E and “white tea” is bad for you, but wait until you find out what else is in this Dial product: DMDM Hydantoin and Fragrance. You might wonder how Fragrance manages to keep your skin smelling pleasant for so long? That is thanks to phthalates, which you might not want to risk coming into contact for the sake of prolonging your body odor, seeing as the risk of coming into contact with carcinogenic properties is very much present.
Dial Hand Soap In White Tea And Vitamin E Pearls
#20 Jason Lavender Hand Soap
Jason may have deceived plenty of its fans into believing it was a trustworthy brand, but sadly this line is filled with Hydroxycitronellal, which causes skin and breathing issues, Fragrance, and Retinyl Palmitate (which leads to sun vulnerability). If you are looking for some lavender goodness, maybe try essential oils instead. While Retinyl Palmitate is considered to one of the safer varieties of retinol, especially for those with sensitive skin, but if you happen to have the kind of skin that can be easily disturbed, then give this one a miss.
Jason Lavender Hand Soap
#19 Dial Vanilla Honey Hand Soap with Moisturizer
There is no nourishment in this Fragrance-filled disaster also stuffed with the suspected carcinogen and irritant DMDM Hydantoin. One of the most concerning issues with Fragrance is that it can actually move past the skin surface and into the bloodstream, which can then lead to all manner of serious issues and conditions. Worse, what actually goes into the creation of ‘Fragrance’ is not necessarily released by companies that use it in their products without needing to be honest.
Dial Vanilla Honey Hand Soap With Moisturizer
#18 Bath & Body Works Winter Cranberry Antibacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
This frigid cranberry product features Triclosan 0.3% and Fragrance. The former chemical messes with the endocrine system and may lead to muscular degeneration and infertility. The problem with Triclosan, which is found in many different health and hygiene products, is that it collects within the body over time. It has been found in breast milk, as well as in human blood. You certainly do not want your baby consuming Triclosan, and so mothers with babies should steer clear of this item.
Bath And Body Works Winter Cranberry Antibacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#17 Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Kitchen Lemon
Anything lemon-flavored or scented is bound to make people think nothing can go wrong with this Bath & Body Works product. Sadly, there are all kinds of toxins in this friendly-looking pump. Look out for Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Triethylene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Methylisothiazolinone, all of the irritants. Triethylene Glycol is best left alone if you are pregnant. Being a pregnant mother means that you will need to be very careful when it comes to your beauty and hygiene products, as many of them contain chemicals like Triethylene Glycol which could be harmful for fetuses.
Bath And Body Works Anti Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap In Kitchen Lemon
#16 Up & Up Milk and Honey Hand Soap
There are so many Fragrant elements in this product that you will be suffering allergy attacks and irritation before you know what hit you. Fragrance can easily be packed with over one hundred harmful ingredients, which companies like Up & Up are not required to detail. This is due to the fact that each company’s individual Fragrance-producing methods are “trade secrets”. You can be sure that Up & Up values its secret recipe over the safety of its customers.
Up And Up Milk And Honey Hand Soap
#15 Eski Biochem Hand Sanitizer
Methanol, which is wood alcohol, is toxic when drawn into the body through the skin. This Mexican hand sanitizer contains plenty of the toxin, so listen to the FDA and stay well clear of it! Seriously, methanol is not something that you should ever come into contact with, especially in large quantities as in the case of hand sanitizer usage. You could easily begin experiencing blurred vision, headaches, vomiting, and all manner of even more serious health conditions.
Eski Biochem Hand Sanitizer
#14 Softsoap Black Raspberry & Vanilla Hand Soap
This would be a divine combination of sounds in a cake, it doesn’t work for this hand soap product, which is chockablock crammed with Sodium Laureth Sulfate, DMDM Hydantoin and, of course, Fragrance. There are plenty of myths surrounding Sodium Laureth Sulfate (or SLS) that link it to skin irritation and cancer. While these concerns have yet to find a scientific basis, SLS can cause those with sensitive skin to experience mild irritation and itching.
Softsoap Black Raspberry And Vanilla Hand Soap
#13 Dial Pomegranate Tangerine Hand Soap
Another tantalizing-sounding combination here! Ditch this hand soap and make a fruit salad instead, or you will be coating yourself with Triclosan, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, and various other toxins. One of the glaring issues in the beauty and hygiene industry is that many businesses are not subject to regulatory bodies, meaning that they often have free reign over what they wish to put into their bottles. Remember that ‘natural’ Fragrance properties can be just as harmful as the synthetic variety.
Dial Pomegranate Tangerine Hand Soap
#12 Dial Seasonals Winter Frost Liquid Hand Soap with Moisturizer
Discover a hand soap which doesn’t hurt you – which does the opposite of the products on this list, free of Parfum, Fragrance, or any of the horrid nonsense out there. As consumers, we are often tempted to go for the most pleasant-smelling products that promise the most effective cleanliness. We have been tricked into believing that the better a product smells, the more hygienically potent it is. The truth is that smell often has nothing to do with how well something cleans hands.
Dial Seasonals Winter Frost Liquid Hand Soap With Moisturizer
#11 Jason Purifying Tea Tree Hand Soap
The funny thing about so many poisonous hand soap products is that their labels can make them seem so enjoyable, especially when they have “Tea Tree” on the label! Make sure to read what actually goes into something. Although Fragrance heads the collection of offenders in this one, there’s plenty of other nonsense available. Actual tea tree oil is a fantastic health and hygiene product that will get rid of nasty germs and uninvited bugs into our system.
Jason Purifying Tea Tree Hand Soap
#10 Softsoap Coconut & Warm Ginger Hand Soap
There is nothing tropical about this nonsense. Instead of cooling off with some coconut sweetness, you will instead be hurting your body with DMDM Hydantoin and Fragrance. Never forget that DMDM Hydantoin is charged with formaldehyde and may be a carcinogen. Actual ginger products will be filled with antioxidants, which aid in the preservation of collagen in the skin, allowing our skin to remain youthful-looking for far longer than we are used to. It’s also quite affordable!
Softsoap Coconut And Warm Ginger Hand Soap
#9 Bath & Body Works Apricot Mango Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
At this stage, we don’t know how Bath & Body Works is still allowed to operate. They constantly churn out new and creative flavors that are always stuffed with Parfum and Fragrance. Are you still feeling alright? Actual apricot-containing skin products will help to keep your skin incredibly supple and soft thanks to apricots’ natural moisturizing effects. The emollient properties of apricots will hydrate your skin cells, warding off the effects of drying that are a byproduct of exfoliation.
Bath And Body Works Apricot Mango Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#8 Bath & Body Works Provence Garden Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
There isn’t a single ingredient in this hand soap that came from a garden. It was all sourced from the Fragrance factories. Do not be fooled! There are many skincare companies that will claim to fill their bottles with organic products, when the only plants that were involved in their production are the kind that are involved in manufacturing and production. Please remember to always read the back label of a product like this one.
Bath And Body Works Provence Garden Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#7 Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
While you might be sick of hearing the words “Parfum” and “Fragrance”, we are sorry to say that this Bath & Body Works is your standard harmful concoction. Real cherry blossom skin products are incredibly beneficial thanks to their high anti-oxidant properties that soothe the skin. They are also filled with essential fatty acids, which will reinvigorate the natural skin barriers, resulting in skin that is incredibly supple. If you are worried about the effects of aging on the skin, then Sakura is a fantastic choice.
Bath And Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#6 Jergens Tropical Vanilla Hand Soap
What a fancy-looking bottle! It almost seems convincingly respectable. That is until you find out that this pretentious hand wash is a DMDM Hydantoin and Parfum trap. Vanilla happens to be one of the most wonderful natural skincare products for human skin. If you happen to suffer from acne, then vanilla extract will help to reduce its intensity and relieve the presence of scarring. Vanilla extract is crammed with antioxidants, which will beat free radicals.
Jergens Tropical Vanilla Hand Soap
#5 Bath & Body Works Caribbean Escape Anti Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
The only thing that you should “Escape” from is this fake Caribbean-themed product’s carcinogenic-filled Lauramide DEA and Fragrance-loaded waste of money and health. If a hand soap does not even list the ‘natural products’ that it is derived from, you should stay well clear of it. We cannot imagine what kind of Caribbean-based plants, flowers, or fruits this Bath & Body Works product wanted to promise the goodness of to customers, but we are not convinced.
Bath And Body Works Caribbean Escape Anti Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
#4 Bath & Body Works Lemon Meringue Cheer Anti Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
This is a new low: using Christmas-themed treats to trick people into thinking that this Bath & Body Works evil is not an unhealthy source of Triclosan and Fragrance. If you need to have your hormones messed around with, then by all means grab one off the shelf. The only positive part about this hand soap is that it will cause its user to begin craving lemon meringue, which in itself is not a bad thing, provided that it does not involve toxic chemicals.
Bath And Body Works Lemon Meringue Cheer Anti Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
#3 Bath & Body Works Gingered Peach Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
This might just be the most toxic products on this list – Bath & Body Works have truly outdone themselves this time. While we have provided many different kinds of unhealthy products from this company, this one takes the cake for the most irresponsible collection of harmful properties. There are endocrine disruptors, allergens, potential carcinogens, formaldehyde-containing irritants and even just plain formaldehyde. This “deep cleansing” product does the diabolical trick with some intensely damaging poisons.
Bath And Body Works Gingered Peach Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
#2 Jergens Lotion Enriched Cream Hand Soap
You might not believe it, but here we have a hand soap which is unhealthy but doesn’t contain Fragrance! You might find it hard to believe that one of the most poisonous products on this list does not contain the infamous Fragrance. Sadly, this is one of the most unbelievably harmful products on this list as it contains Propylparaben. This is an endocrine disruptor which is located in breast tumors. Then there is the classic bunch of Formaldehyde and DMDM Hydantoin.
Jergens Lotion Enriched Cream Hand Soap
#1 Bath & Body Works Fresh Picked Honeycrisp Apple Anti Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
It’s no surprise that our most harmful product on this list is from Bath & Body Works, but its makeup is still shocking. This product gets a 10/10 on most toxicity rating systems thanks to its composition of around TEN harmful chemicals!
Let us finish off this scary list of poisons with some helpful advice. Whenever you purchase a beauty or sanitary product, please make sure that you avoid scented items and carefully read and Google what goes into them.
Bath And Body Works Fresh Picked Honeycrisp Apple Anti Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap