10 Best Hand Soaps for Dry Skin UK 2024 | Neal's Yard Remedies, E45 and More

Soap bars are good for dry skin as they often contain fewer ingredients, and those they do include tend to be mainly oils and fats which are naturally moisturising. This means that rather than aggravating uncomfortable, dehydrated skin conditions, solid soap bars can actually soothe dry, irritated skin.

Another plus of solid bars is that, being free from plastic packaging, they're generally a more environmentally-friendly option. However, they are somewhat less convenient to use and transport. 

A bottled soap will usually be petroleum-based and – so that it can maintain its consistency – will also contain stabilisers and emulsifying agents. Emulsifiers often increase transepidermal water loss (the speed at which your body loses water through the skin) and so liquid hand washes can often be drying; a big no-no for hands that are already papery and sad.

If you are going to opt for a liquid wash, keep an eye out for extra-hydrating additions to its ingredients list.

But what exactly is colloidal oatmeal? Well, it’s a jazzier way to describe finely-ground oats stored in liquid, which improve the skin’s ability to absorb their nutrients; a great ingredient to seek out when choosing a soap for dry skin.

Aloe vera has long been used in traditional medicine (and indeed, modern skincare products too) to minimise redness and chafing, as the gel produced by the aloe leaf contains vitamins, enzymes and anti-inflammatories which help calm swollen cells. 

Simple and aromatic alcohols such as ethanol, methanol and benzyl alcohol are seriously dehydrating, and believed to increase cell death by more than 20 per cent, meaning skin washed regularly with alcohol-based products will remain dry and tight.

Otherwise known as sodium hydroxide, lye is often present in soaps and has little negative effect on those with normal skin types. However, the chemical properties of lye mean that even in low concentrations, this compound can cause itchiness for sensitive skin and exacerbate dryness.

Though they make for a lovely smelling soap, synthetic fragrances and parfums are linked with various allergic reactions and irritation, so if your dry skin is cracked or sensitive, this could only make things worse. Instead, look for fragrance-free or unscented products.