When shopping for liquid hand soap, choose products free of parabens, phosphates, triclosan, sulfates, isothiazolinone preservatives, and palm oil. Opt for hand soaps made with essential oils in lieu of synthetic fragrances, and consider buying a concentrated formula or a hand soap tablet to cut down on packaging and transportation emissions. Our favorite certifications to look out for are the EWG certification (which ensures the product is free from chemicals of concern), the Fair Trade certification (which benefits the people making the product), and the PETA and Leaping Bunny certifications (which ensure no animal testing was performed using the product). 

Ingredients

Parabens

Parabens are cheap preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of mold and harmful bacteria. They have been associated with endocrine disruption in humans, and certain kinds can kill coral, even at low levels of exposure. After a 2004 study concluded that the presence of parabens may spur the growth of breast cancer cells, the public backlash led some cosmetic companies to start removing parabens from their products. However, additional studies of the effect of parabens on our health have proved inconclusive, and the FDA currently approves the use of parabens in cosmetic products. 

Phosphates

Phosphates, like trisodium phosphate, create that luscious lathering effect in our personal care products. Phosphates can also cause eutrophication, which is the mineral over-enrichment of bodies of water. This can be a natural process that develops in aquatic ecosystems, but it can also indicate nutrient imbalances due to pollution. While it might sound beautiful, algal bloom – a result of eutrophication – can be harmful to aquatic life and can contaminate drinking sources. Phosphate eutrophication can cause deoxygenation of water, which can threaten marine life and submerged plants, like reeds. This can cause an indirect effect on the habitat and food source of bird species.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent often added to hand soaps. It is resistant to degradation, which leads to bioaccumulation (aka a build up of chemicals in fish) when it is washed down the drain. Since up to 96% of triclosan in consumer products is rinsed down the drain, this is problematic. It can disrupt the reproductive processes of aquatic species and it is considered a major environmental and public health hazard. Epidemiology studies indicate that significant levels of triclosan are detected in body fluids in all human age groups, and that it has adverse effects on endocrine and thyroid function. 

Sulfates 

Sulfates are a kind of surfactant, which is used to clean and create the foam we know and love. Sodium lauryl sulfate, also known as SLS, is an emulsifying cleaning agent sometimes found in soap. It’s used to break down and wash away the dirt and grime that water can’t get rid of on its own. It also happens to be a highly toxic threat to aquatic life, from algae, to frogs, to fish. Although there is some debate on sulfates, the World Health Organization (WHO) unequivocally states that SLS “...is toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.” 

Isothiazolinone Preservatives

Isothiazolinone preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone have antimicrobial properties that make them popular in hand soaps. However, they are known irritants linked to contact dermatitis in humans, and are highly toxic to freshwater and marine organisms. 

Palm Oil

Palm oil is one of the oils commonly used in liquid hand soaps. In fact, of the 187 liquid hand soaps that we’ve scored, 69% of them contain palm oil or ingredients that may be derived from palm oil. About 66 million tons of the stuff are produced annually, making it the most common vegetable oil on Earth. It is a very productive crop, offering greater yield at a lower production cost than any other vegetable oil. The bad news is, palm plantations (which have become pervasive in the Amazon) destroy biodiversity and leave animals without shelter and food. Indigenous people also lose the ability to control their food supplies since they cannot hunt and gather traditional foods in areas where the forest has been destroyed. Unfortunately, “sustainable” palm oil doesn’t really exist, despite what the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil says.

Synthetic Fragrances

The most elusive ingredient of all might be fragrances. That’s because fragrances are protected from disclosure. While “fragrance” might appear to be one ingredient on the label, that word could potentially comprise hundreds of chemical compounds just for one scent! It’s not the scent that worries us, but phthalates, which enable fragrances to become soluble. They are known endocrine disruptors in both humans and aquatic life and can even lower the production of testosterone. Studies have found that prenatal exposure to phthalates can decrease mental and motor development in children.

Essential Oils

Essential oils, botanicals, and plant extracts – while naturally occurring – can still cause skin irritation. Enter: contact dermatitis. Fragrances like linalool and limonene, which are extracted from citrus fruit peels, can cause allergic reactions in delicate, sensitive skin. If you want some fragrance in your 3-in-1, go the route of essential oils, botanicals, and plant extracts – but make sure you test the stuff on a patch of skin before slathering everywhere. 

Packaging

Water is the main ingredient in liquid hand soap. Spoiler alert - your sink already has it. For this reason, it’s super inefficient to ship water-heavy products. That’s why we love to choose bar soaps over traditional liquid hand soap. If you’re keen on buying a liquid hand soap, may we suggest a concentrated formula (which saves plastic in packaging, and fuel in transportation)? Dr. Bronner’s offers a great option. Better yet, choose hand soap tablets like these. They contain no water so they’re super lightweight, and they don’t require any bulky packaging. 

Certifications

Here are some certifications to look for when shopping this category.

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