Chemicals in supermarket hand soap to avoid

We wash our hands multiple times a day, which is why it’s so important we know the ingredients in our soap and hand wash products. Discover the best natural hand soap and soap bar options to keep your hands germ-free, the natural way.

Soap vs hand wash

We often use soap and hand wash to mean the same thing, but do they? No, not technically. Soap is traditionally made with an acid (fat) and an alkali (lye). The alkali is generally sodium hydroxide and the fat used can either be animal or plant-derived. When the fat and lye mix they become solid – when made properly, no lye remains in the finished soap. Today, there are very few actual soaps on the market. Instead, most products we call soap are in fact detergents or hand washes. This is because other ingredients (detergents) are being used for the cleansing function, not alkali salts of fatty acids. If you choose a hand soap, you should look out for a few things. Firstly, look for a hand soap that is made with natural plant-based ingredients as these are kinder, better for the skin and more sustainable. It’s also good to ensure that your hand soap hasn’t got any additional nasties in it like petrochemicals or sodium lauryl sulphate.

If you choose to use a hand wash, you have a few options. A foaming hand wash is any hand wash that creates a foam-like lather on your hands when you rub them together. This can help remove dirt and bacteria, however, when choosing a foaming hand wash you should avoid any that contain diethanolamine. This foaming agent is commonly found in foaming hand wash but can seriously dry out the skin and cause irritation. No matter what, you’ll want to choose an antibacterial hand wash. An antibacterial hand wash contains bacteria-fighting ingredients to remove germs and bugs. When choosing an antibacterial hand wash, you should look for those that don’t contain any nasty chemicals but instead use natural antibacterial ingredients.

Soap bar vs hand wash

So, should you use a soap bar or liquid hand soap? Firstly, liquid hand soap is hard to come by. Liquid hand soap is probably a hand wash that uses detergent but is commonly referred to as soap. A soap bar is more likely to be true soap. Overall, a soap bar is just as effective as liquid hand soap when it comes to removing bacteria and keeping your hands clean.   

Which one you choose will depend on your skin type and packaging preferences. Most people choose a liquid hand soap as they feel it is more nourishing than a soap bar. That said, if you choose a nourishing soap bar that’s made using plant oils like coconut then you should find your hands don’t get dry. The benefit of a soap bar is that it doesn’t need to come in plastic like a liquid hand soap – which is great if you’re looking to reduce your environmental footprint. Just remember when using a bar soap to not store it in a moist environment, like a puddled soap dish, as it’s likely bacteria will build there.  

Chemicals to avoid in hand soap

Fragrance

When the word “fragrance” appears on the ingredients list of any skincare product, this means there is at least one, if not multiple synthetic fragrances in the product. These fragrances are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream where they can cause endocrine disruption, allergies, and many other possible toxic side effects. Fragrances also contain something called phthalates which cause hormonal disruption by affecting the endocrine system. While fragrance-free hand soap is safest, this doesn’t mean you have to say so long to sweet smelling soap. Natural essential oils add aroma just as well as synthetic fragrances, but without the harmful side effects. Essential oils also have unique therapeutic qualities and can be used to achieve a natural antibacterial effect.

Cocamidopropyl betaine

Coca-what? Don’t worry about pronouncing the name, just be wary when you see this chemical on a hand soap label. This synthetic detergent is used to increase the foaming action of cleansing products and may irritate or flare up skin allergies such as eczema and dermatitis. Other names this chemical goes by include: CADG, Cocamidopropyl dimethyl glycine, Cocoamphocarboxypropionate, Cocoamphodiproprionate, and Disodium cocoamphodipropionate.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

SLS and SLES are used as a surfactant and emulsifier to add a foaming effect in hand soaps. They can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs and as well as potentially causing organ toxicity. Since these chemicals are known carcinogens, most consumers are aware of the negative health impacts, yet many companies still choose to use them in their products.

What you might find in natural hand soap 

Reading labels can be confusing, especially when a natural hand wash has ingredients that you don’t recognise. Here are some natural ingredients that sound scary but are actually safe:

Sodium coco-sulfate

Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is a solid anionic (negatively charged) surfactant of coconut origin. It is not the same thing as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), as it is naturally derived and is exceptionally gentle on the skin. 
 

Glyceryl Caprylate

Glyceryl Caprylate is a co-emulsifier that is used to stabilise the product. It is produced from various vegetable oils and helps to restore the natural oils of the skin and regulate skin moisture. 

Potassium Cocoate 

Potassium Cocoate is the potassium salt of the coconut fatty acid derived from whole coconut oil. It is used in natural liquid hand soap as a surfactant. 

Caring for your hands naturally

While using natural hand soap is more gentle on the skin than supermarket brands, frequent washing can still leave your skin feeling dry and looking scaly. It’s important to protect the skin’s barrier by replenishing with natural hand cream. Hydrating oils such as avocado and coconut used in hand cream helps to deliver a boost of hydration to dry skin and protect the cuticles from drying out. Keep some hand cream in your handbag and next to your hand soap so you can moisturise throughout the day and after each wash. If you have particularly dry skin, you might like to use olive oil soap. Olive oil soap is made from nourishing olive oil which is packed with micronutrients and hydrating properties. Olive oil soap is great for sensitive or dry skin as it repels damage-causing free radicals and is rich in antioxidants. Natural and nourishing hand care is something everyone should enjoy. A hand wash gift set with both natural hand wash and hand cream will help you easily take care of your hands better. The Koala Eco hand wash gift set contains a pure, chemical-free hand wash and a hand and body lotion. This hand wash gift set makes an impressive present and looks great on your bathroom counter.

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