I've Tried Basically Every Hand Wash Out There, and This Is Definitely the Best

I have always found great comfort in a fantastic hand wash. In fact, few things please me more than stumbling across a really great soap in a restaurant, hotel or on a friend’s bathroom sink unexpectedly. The key to an A+ formula, I have learned, is not so simple.

While a scent that makes you go weak at the knees is important, I have come across many hand washes in my time that smell wonderful but lacks in other areas. The secret to a really great hand wash, in my opinion, is a luxe-smelling scent that soothes the mind but doesn't overpower, a silky texture that delivers moisture, but doesn't leave a greasy film, and perhaps most importantly, it has to look impossibly chic on the shelf.

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(Image credit: @ROSIEHW)

Enter Ouai Hand Wash. You might be familiar with Ouai's cult hair products, created by Hollywood hairstylist Jen Atkin (she's everyone's go-to, from the Kardashians to Hailey Bieber). Ouai hair products are not only known its distinguishable Instagram-ready aesthetic but equally its mouth-watering scents. 

And now there's a hand care range, and trust me when I say the hand wash is the best I've ever tried—and I've tried a shed load. You see, although I've always been a fan of great hand soap, over the past year, I became somewhat obsessed with finding the perfect formula. As I started washing my hands more than ever before, I realised that some of my go-to products had some serious faults.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR)

Ones that I had previously purchased for their packaging weren't delivering the sort of luxe satisfaction I started to crave in my hand-washing ritual, while others that I championed for their scent were leaving my skin dry, cracked and scaly. So in a quest to find something that ticked all the boxes, I began hoarding hand washes, and somewhere along the way, I stumbled across Ouai's Hand Wash and Hand Lotion duo.

First of all, I want to address the bottles themselves. They are minimalist, chic and feel almost impossibly luxe to hold. On top of that, they're refillable, so you can do your bit for the environment while you shop. Next up, let's talk about the smell. A little bit fruity, a little bit floral and a whole lot musky, mostly they just smell clean—like freshly washed linen and bubble baths. And while the hand lotion is a total joy and makes for a great sink partner, it's the wash that impresses me the most. With a silky slip that works into a rich lather, it soothes tired hands while leaving dry skin soft and supple. Essentially, I'm in love.

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.