The 19 Best-Smelling Hand Soaps of 2025 Will Rival Your Fave Perfume (Seriously)

From Instagram to Twitter to Pinterest, I’ve been seeing this Aesop scent everywhere. Somehow, it’s become the Bottega Veneta cassette bag of hand soaps. So, what makes it so special? Well for one, it has an instantly recognizable scent palette of lavender, orange and rosemary that’s citrusy and woodsy—without overpowering. However, what really makes this guy worth its $40 price tag is its exfoliating properties, where it includes finely milled pumice for a super soft finish. One reviewer raves, “It is the perfect amount of exfoliation and makes my hands feel so soft…The scent is subtle yet incredibly calming [and] the bottle is much bigger than I expected!”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: Orange, rosemary and lavender 
• Size: 16.9 ounces

Need something comforting and cozy to get through winter? This number from Le Labo is the ticket. First, you have its earthy fragrance, where moody hinoki wood transports you to a forest. “The scent has lovely woodsy and beach notes," one reviewer explains, adding it's "so incredible I find myself smelling my hands! It also fills my bathrooms with the scent, which is a major bonus."

It’s also worth mentioning that this soap is made of plant-based ingredients, including sea buckthorn, rosemary leaf and sugar cane, which work in tandem to soothe and cleanse your hands, per the brand.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: hinoki wood
• Size: 8.4 ounces

This hand soap clocks in at just under $10 but I’d pay extra for its scent alone. The fragrance features a floral blend of lavender and violet that’s botanical yet masculine (and many TikTokers have compared it to Le Labo’s cult-favorite Santal 33 perfume). Plus, on top of its alluring scent, it comes in a sturdy, re-fillable aluminum bottle that won’t interrupt your kitchen/bathroom aesthetic. "[This] smells so luxurious! It gently lingers after the use," one reviewer writes. "I placed it on top of a marble soap dish and it’s perfect!"

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: Lavender and violet
• Size: 12 ounces

I’ve spoken a lot about luxurious scents, but trust me when I say this number from Byredo takes the cake. Customers have described the fragrance as “intoxicating,” “decadent,” and “light and refreshing,” where its notes of pear, bergamot, lily of the valley and violet have created quite the fan base. One reviewer writes, “Yes, it’s expensive, but that smell is amazing and it leaves your hands silky soft—so important when you are having to wash them all the time…I actually look forward to using this. I wish Byredo did Suede perfume too!”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: pear, bergamot lily of the valley and violet
• Size: 15.2 ounces

Restorative, refreshing and relaxing, Flamingo Estate is a luxury brand known for its sophisticated products, one of which is their Roma Heirloom Tomato hand soap, which offers a spicy aromatic mixture of avocado, olive oil, tarragon and black pepper essential oil. Wondrous smell aside, the formula is one that leaves your hands feeling extra velvety and smooth, according to the brand, with some shoppers raving that their hands look and feel better than ever. Or as one buyer notes, "This is my third time repurchasing this hand soap, and for good reason! The scent is absolutely amazing—fresh and long-lasting without being overpowering. It lathers well and cleans thoroughly, yet it never dries out my hands like some other soaps do. I love that it keeps my skin feeling soft and hydrated after each wash. Definitely a staple in my home! Highly recommend!"

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: avocado, olive oil and black pepper essential oil
• Size: 16 ounces

ICYMI, Capri Blue (aka the "Anthro scent") has come to define Anthropologie’s in-store experience. For years, shoppers have fallen prey to the brand’s signature Volcano scent, where fruity notes of sugared oranges, lemons, limes and exotic mountain greens draw people in like a moth to a flame. “It smells sweeter and softer than the typical bright, tart scent people often associate with lemons, limes and oranges, likely due to the additional tropical notes,” explains Candace Davison, VP of editorial content, in a PureWow review. Hence, why we’re seeing shoppers rave over the brand’s hand wash iteration, which features the same, tropical scent (but with a vegan, cruelty-free formula that’ll leave your hands feeling velvety soft). 

Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth echoes the love for the scent."I love everything Capri Blue. It's light, yummy, fresh and doesn't linger too much, which is super important to people like me who are typically averse to anything scented. It's soft and lovely and everything I could hope for in a scented soap," she says.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: sugared oranges, lemons, limes and exotic mountain greens
• Size: 15 ounces

ATTN, Moroccanoil lovers: Your favorite scent is now available in a hand wash. For those who don’t know, Moroccanoil’s argan oil hair treatment has amassed a worldwide fan base for its iconic scent—along with its nourishing, vitamin-rich formula—and the brand’s new handwash combines the best of both properties. First, you have its musky, woodsy fragrance, which features a base layer of spicy amber topped with sweet notes of rose, citrus and vanilla. But on top of that, there’s the formula itself, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids to help increase softness and reduce the appearance of fine, dry lines. 

One reviewer raves: “This soap has a lather that's just as rich while using even less product! It [feels] more moisturizing than a regular liquid soap, too—my hands haven't been as cracked and dry the last week while I've been using it (as they have been for most of winter)…The scent is great and smells luxurious and high end, like a hair salon or spa. It lingers for a while too, leaving an expensive-smelling scent on you.” However, they also warn: “If you don't like the scent or are sensitive to stronger scents, it may be an issue for you.” 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: amber rose, citrus and vanilla 
• Size: 12.2 ounces

While you wouldn’t normally characterize sandalwood and vanilla as being “zingy,” that’s the best way to describe this scent. (Take it from this editor, who currently has a bottle sitting on the bathroom sink.) The fragrance reminds me of a quaint bed and breakfast on the English countryside, where the sandalwood base gives it a crisp, clean palette and hints of vanilla offer a subtle sweetness. Not to mention that it gets bonus points for the generous, 16.9-ounce size (which has boasted more than four months of use). 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: sandalwood and vanilla
• Size: 16.9 ounces

Next up on the list of haircare brands that are making their way into the bath and body space is OUAI. First and foremost, this soap features the brand’s signature 'Dean Street' scent, which carries notes of citrus, rose and magnolia that’ll linger on your skin for hours after washing. Yet, aside from its fragrance, customers can’t seem to get enough of its exfoliating formula, which gently cleanses the skin with biodegradable jojoba beads and moisturizes with avocado and rosehip oils.

“The scent is great—light, fresh and not too overpowering," says Hepworth. But it also comes with exfoliating biodegradable jojoba beads, which it nice when you want it, but frustrating if you tend to wear delicate jewelry on your fingers and hands. Just regarding the smell though, it's season-less and refreshing, and never overpowering."

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: citrus, rose and magnolia 
• Size: 16 ounces

This hand-meets-body wash from Jo Malone takes sultry-meets-floral to a new level. The scent captures delicate notes of peony, red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower, while a soft suede finish creates a seductive trail. "I've used [this] Peony wash in the bath, and the gorgeous fragrance wafts through the house and clings to my skin," one reviewer shares. "The florals smell heady and sophisticated while the apple adds a lovely crisp, clean freshness. It seems to add depth and a lovely floral fruity sweetness to whatever fragrance I wear afterward."

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: peony, suede, red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower
• Size: 8.5 ounces

Another hand/body soap people are loving right now? This foaming wash from Beekman1802. Not only does it feature an irresistible vanilla scent (topped with notes of amber, sandalwood, cedar and orange), but it has a creamy, goat milk composition that’s just as moisturizing as it is gentle on the skin. “This soap smells heavenly. It produces a great lather. I use it in the kitchen where I often have very, very messy hands. It's cleansing powers are fantastic, and it leaves a faint but pleasant scent on your hands,” writes one reviewer. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: vanilla, golden amber, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli lily, muguet and orange
• Size: 12.5 ounces

Sticking with the theme of foaming cleansers, this hand soap is formulated with a zesty lemon fragrance that’ll make your hands smell as fresh as they feel. The scent is lightweight and subtle while the soap’s cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients deliver a rich, foamy lather (and it also includes vitamins D and E for added nourishment). “The scent is light and doesn’t linger on your hands after you use it,” one reviewer shares. “The foam is airy and leaves my hands feeling moisturized instead of dry.” Plus, at $3 a pop, this is one of the most budget-friendly options on this list. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: lemon
• Size: 9 ounces

Need a foaming hand wash that also doubles as a body wash? Check. Looking for a scent that’s strong, warm and unisex? Check. Have to make sure it’ll nourish your sensitive skin? Check, check, check. This number by Malin+Goetz hits every category—from its dark rum fragrance (which is complemented to by herbal notes of pear and red fruits) to its hydrating amino acid and glycerin formula (which binds water to the skin and enhances moisture).

“I first found this at a very posh hotel in NYC and fell in love with it. This is a great body/hand wash that isn't too drying, and the scent is fantastic. Not too strong but leaves a nice finish. It's nicely gender-neutral so works great for a guest bathroom,” one reviewer writes. Oh, and did we mention that it’s cruelty-free and made without harmful ingredients, including gluten, sulfates, phthalates, PEGs, mineral oils and parabens? 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: rum extract, pears and red fruits
• Size: 8.5 ounces

Made with 100 percent plant-based ingredients, this soap kit includes one reusable glass bottle and three scented tablets that are just as pure on the skin as they are environmentally conscious. The fragrances, which include iris agave, Perrine lemon and lavender eucalyptus, are crisp and light—without being cloyingly sweet or overpowering by—and are sourced from vegan ingredients that are paraben-, phosphate-, ammonia-, chlorine-, bleach- and soy/nut-free.

"I love how light foaming hand soaps are, and Blueland's variety of scents don't disappoint," Davison says. "They're light and refreshing, without overpowering. Iris Agave and Pacific Mist are my go-to scents—the first for its sweet-yet-floral notes and the second for how it reminds me of relaxing on the beach on a breezy day. During the holidays, I make it a point to stock up on Toasted Vanilla—it's such a cozy, comforting scent, but it's only around for a limited time."

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: iris agave, perrine lemon and lavender eucalyptus
• Size: 8.5 ounces

Made with a blend of plant extract and aloe leaf juice, this superfood-based hand soap cleanses without stripping. It's also vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging—and you may be surprised by how much you love it. "This hand soap has snuck up as one of my favorite buys of the year. It's woodsy, peppery and aromatic, and I love that it leans more masculine (my husband's not a cologne guy, so this smell now officially reminds me of him)," says Catrina Yohay, Executive Managing Editor. "It's perfect for any bathroom in the house—minus the kids', thanks to the hefty price tag—and the scent sticks with you long after you towel off."

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: fresh greens, cedarwood, and black pepper
• Size: 13.1 ounces

I didn't think a soap bottle could be glamorous, until I spotted L'Avant Collective's matte and gold containers. Scented like the brand's cult-favorite detergent, Fresh Linen, this bundle comes with two types of soap—one for your hands and one for your dishes. Davison tested it firsthand, and appreciated how gentle it was on her skin (thanks to its plant-based ingredients) and mild-yet-refreshing scent. "If you're looking for something gentle on your hands that won't dry them out (even if you're constantly washing your hands) and has a luxe, spring-day scent, L'Avant Fresh Linen is it. It's crisp, and the scent is nice as you lather, but it doesn't linger long after," she says.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: ylang-ylang, bamboo, basil, lemon, lavender, geranium
• Size: 16 ounces

Known for its high-end candles, Diptyque also specializes in equally luxe hand soap to round out your self-care routine. The Paris-based brand uses notes of lavender and rosemary floral water with a hint of lavender honey to achieve a mild, yet flowery scent that will linger. Plus, the glass dispenser features the brand's iconic oval label, adding to the sophistication.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: lavender, rosemary floral, lavender honey
• Size: 11.8 ounces

Each of these bars are hand-wrapped in Mississippi in a waxed kraft paper that makes you feel like you've arrived at a luxury hotel for the night. This bar soap is incredibly moisturizing thanks to olive oil extract, vitamin E and shea butter, and it will add a bit of luxury to your sink. The smoky scent is a fan favorite, and it doesn't does not contain any parabens or animal by-products.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: rose
• Size: 8.8 ounces

Here, a delightfully fresh and floral hand soap that Davison calls “unreal.” The fragrance features a subtly sweet scent with notes of orange blossom, garden herbs and jasmine petals that’ll leave your hands smelling crisp and clean. What’s more, the soap hails from Courteney Cox’s home brand, Homecourt, and is formulated with 1) argan oil to moisturize, 2) hibiscus flower to hydrate and protect and 3) coconut-derived surfactants to remove dirt and debris without irritating skin. "The Neroli Leaf line is botanical without smelling like potpourri; I've had multiple friends ask where I've bought it and have picked up a bottle after trying it at home—something I've never witnessed before with hand soap," says Davison.

• Scent Notes: Apple, green mandarin, orange flower, jasmine petals and vanilla