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During the pandemic, everyone learned to wash their hands, and most of us continue to do as recommended – if we didn’t already. And as we are washing our hands more than ever, it’s more important to avoid perfumed hand soaps and irritating skin or upsetting sensitive snouts. Avoiding fragrances is important not only for people who suffer from acute allergic skin reactions caused by scented products. Perfume allergies can develop after repeated exposure.
Being allergic affects more than just your skin. It can cause headaches and a variety of other symptoms. So, it’s time to move away from scented products and find the best unscented and fragrance-free hand soaps.
However, fragrance-free hand soaps are surprisingly tricky to find. It’s even harder to come by if you don’t want to spend 30 dollars on a tiny bottle of artisanal fragrance-free soap.
Another issue is that many hand soaps on the market are labeled as having no added fragrance but instead contain natural scents and oils that can also irritate the skin. Learn more about the differences between hypoallergenic, unscented, and fragrance-free.
What to Look For in a Fragrance-Free Hand Soap?
As consumers become increasingly conscious of their skincare choices, fragrance-free hand soaps remain a staple in personal hygiene routines. The best fragrance-free hand soaps prioritize gentle cleansing without compromising on effectiveness.
Being allergic to perfume and scents has led me to endless hand soap testing. I have sorted through expensive high-end brands, drugstore brands, and small specialty brands. As a result, I have identified completely fragrance-free and budget-friendly hand soaps and hand-picked the best options. Below, I present the 5 best perfume-free liquid hand soaps that:
- Are fragrance-free formulations
- Cleanse your hands without causing any irritation or upsetting sensitive noses
- Do not dry out the skin – even when used excessively
- Are reasonably priced with no or only a small premium compared to fragrance-full hand soap
So, if you are sensitive to ‘traditional’ hand soaps and struggle to find a good perfume-free hand soap, then go ahead and try my personal picks for the best fragrance-free, budget-friendly liquid hand soaps on the market in 2025.
Unscented and Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps
In the past, I’ve maintained a strict standard of only including entirely fragrance-free products, as even products labeled as unscented often contained botanical extracts and fruit oils that could potentially trigger irritation in sensitive skin. However, this year, I have broadened my scope to include a selection of hand soaps free from synthetic fragrances yet incorporating a few beneficial botanical extracts.
Despite having highly sensitive skin, I did not experience any skin irritation during my thorough testing. While I prefer completely fragrance-free options, rest assured that my list of the top five fragrance-free hand soaps caters to all preferences, ensuring something suitable for everyone.
Please note that you should always read the complete list of ingredients before purchasing and using them if you have a particular allergy.
Below are my top 5 best fragrance-free hand soaps, which are inexpensive, of excellent quality, and free of perfume.
Simple Human Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
- Fragrance-free
- Biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and contains no parabens or DEAs.
- It’s sulfate-free to be even gentler on your skin
Simple Human provides a soap that is free of fragrances, making it ideal for people with allergies and sensitive skin. This soap is effective in cleansing while also being gentle on the skin and reasonably priced. Additionally, the nozzle design of this soap makes it easy to refill your soap dispenser. Overall, I think that it is a great option for soap that is fragrance-free, effective, and reasonably priced.
That’s why I think the Simple Human hand soap is one of the best unscented and fragrance-free hand soaps in 2025.
Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
- This fragrance-free formula is made with naturally derived ingredients
- Enriched with a blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and botanical extracts to protect and hydrate skin
- The toxin-free formula is sulfate, paraben, phosphate, and gluten-free
- Ginger Lily Farms’ hand soap is also vegan and PETA-certified, which is an assurance that the hand soap has never been tested on animals
The second on my list of the best unscented and fragrance-free hand soaps is the Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Fragrance-Free Hand Soap. The liquid hand soap also comes in an environmentally-friendly 1-gallon refill size that is perfect for refilling soap dispensers at home. And much cheaper!
I have ridiculously dry hands, and I love how this soap makes them feel soft and hydrated after every wash. It’s actually my personal favorite because it feels incredibly moisturizing. Note that it contains botanical extracts, which may not be suitable for individuals who prefer completely fragrance-free products.
Read my full Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Fragrance-Free Hand Soap review.
Everspring Free & Clear Fragrance-Free Liquid Hand Soap
- Fragrance-free
- Not tested on animals
- Non-toxic
- USDA-certified 97% biobased product
- Bottles are made with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
This little, incredibly affordable gem is next on my list of the best fragrance-free hand soaps. At just $2.99 per bottle at Target, this fragrance-free hand soap from Everspring (Target’s own brand) comes at a fantastic price point.
I like the consistency of this unscented formula (it’s neither too liquidy nor too thick) and the fact that it’s made with plant-based ingredients that clean and rinse well without stripping the skin or leaving a residue on your hands. In addition, I like the dispenser bottle’s simple and stylish design.
Seventh Generation Hand Wash, Free & Clean Unscented and Fragrance-Free Hand Soap
- No fragrances, dyes, triclosan, chlorine, or phthalates
- USDA certified biobased 97%
- Cruelty-free
- Bottles are made with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
The Seventh Generation fragrance-free hand soap lathers well and cleans your hands thoroughly. Free from fragrances, dyes, triclosan, or chlorine, this hand soap maintains its popularity as a gentle and eco-conscious option in 2025 On top of that, bottles are made with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (without phthalates), and the fragrance-free hand soap also comes in a convenient 24 fl oz refill bottle.
Better Life Unscented and Scent-Free Hand Soap
- Free of dyes, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and petroleum solvents
- Plant-derived
- Formulated with Aloe and Vitamin E
- Non-toxic and biodegradable
Better Life’s plant-derived hand soap is gentle on the skin and free of dyes, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and petroleum solvents. It helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance, making it one of the best fragrance-free hand soaps in 2025. While I like this soap, I just wish that Better Life would make it completely fragrance-free instead of just being free of synthetic fragrances.
Bottom line: Best Unscented and Fragrance-Free Hand Soaps in 2025
Summary
All the hand soaps listed are excellent in terms of their soap effectiveness, quality, and allergy-friendliness. While some stand out for their moisturizing abilities, I still recommend all five. If you choose any of my top-rated unscented and fragrance-free hand soaps, you won’t need to use perfumed ones. Therefore, I strongly suggest that you switch to fragrance-free hand soap immediately.
Reviews of the Best Perfume-Free and Fragrance-Free Products
Looking for more reviews of fragrance-free products? I constantly test perfume-free and fragrance-free products to help you live a fragrance-free life.
Your #1 is definitely the best choice for our family, and I can’t wait to get some. It does not have Aloe in it. My daughter is extremely sensitive to fragrances, but so many hand soaps contain Aloe, as do your #2 and #3 choices. Although Aloe is apparently a rare allergy my eldest son is allergic and his skin will itch and peal if he is exposed.
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with our recommended fragrance-free hand soaps. You are absolutely right. So many products contain Aloe. Unlike many additives, Aloe has a beneficial and active purpose but is also a well-known allergen. We are sorry to hear about your son’s Aloe allergy, but we’re glad that you are aware so that you can avoid exposure. But it does require being extremely cautious, reading many labels, and always performing safe tests.
What do you use for deodorant. Seems like people are complaining that vanicream changed the formula and people are reacting to it. I’m having the hardest time finding on that won’t break me out! Thanks in advance.
Hi Alischa,
We are still using the Vanicream deodorant and haven’t noticed any change in its formula or any adverse reaction. However, it’s important to note that allergies and intolerances vary from person to person. Therefore, we suggest performing a patch test before using any product. We have personally tested and tried all the deodorants listed here, and none of them caused any reaction to us: https://withoutfragrance.com.a0c6e53537a17b16e3be688d496225cb-13435.sites.k-hosting.co.uk.a0c6e53537a17b16e3be688d496225cb-13435.sites.k-hosting.co.uk/best-fragrance-free-hypoallergenic-deodorants/
Just use diluted Dr. Bronner’s fragrance-free castile soap in a foaming dispenser. One part soap to four parts water. Very cheap, very effective, extremely clean ingredients.
This is such a great idea! I’ll definitely give it a try in a foaming dispenser. Thanks for sharing!