Nine to Try: Luxe Handwashes to Make Your Self-Isolation More Delightful

If there’s anything the coronavirus pandemic has brought into sharp relief, it’s that washing your hands is pretty darn important. We’ve been advised to wash our hands regularly, and for much longer than we might think we need to – about as long as it takes to hum two rounds of Happy Birthday.

And while subjecting your digits to lots of soap and water isn’t as fun as good friends celebrating another year of you being you, you can still find joy in this simple act. Here are a few of our favourite handwashes so you can make handwashing a more luxurious experience.

Best for: the stylish
Oliver Thom Apothecary Handwash ($88)
A collaboration between Sydney bathroom experts Oliver Thom and Copenhagen-based design firm Frama, this handwash is scented with sandalwood, cedar wood and ylang-ylang. Bottled in Italian glass and made with organic ingredients, it’s definitely on the luxe end of the spectrum. Refills are available as well, making it an eco-friendly option.

oliverthom.com.au

Best for: transporting you to Europe
Diptyque Philosykos Cleansing Hand and Body Gel ($64)
If your European summer holiday plans have been put on hold, this luxe cleansing gel made in France might provide some comfort. Scented with fig leaves, fig-tree sap and fig-tree wood, it’ll momentarily transport you to a fragrant Greek island. Shea butter enhances moisture, and the light, foamy texture won’t strip your hands of natural oils.

mecca.com.au

Best for: a mood boost
Ena Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Myrtle and Eucalyptus Handwash ($33)
Made in Australia with a blend of essential oils, Ena’s invigorating handwash is gentle on skin. Pink grapefruit, lemon myrtle and eucalyptus are mood-boosters, and decyl glucoside will cleanse your hands without irritating them.

enaproducts.com.au

Best for: a rich lather
Byredo Rose Handwash ($68)
This rose-scented handwash might be the closest you get to a Parisian rose garden during the travel ban. It’s scented with rose petals and rose absolute (concentrated rose oil), and has top notes of pink pepper and raspberry. If you’re a fan of a rich later, this soap is perfect. And the 450-millilitre bottle adds a pop of colour to your bathroom.

mecca.com.au

Best for: exfoliating
Aesop Reverence Aromatique Handwash ($39)
Fact: Aesop packaging is sexy. But the Reverence Aromatique handwash isn’t just an easy way to add a little sophistication to your bathroom – it’s also an excellent way to cleanse and exfoliate. It’s formulated with grapefruit peel oil, bergamot fruit oil and bitter-orange leaf oil to keep your hands moisturised, but it also has finely milled pumice to slough off dry skin. And did we say it smells superb?

aesop.com

Best for: when you’re on a budget
Thankyou Botanical Lime and Coriander Handwash ($7.50)
A perfect option in a good-looking bottle that won’t cost you the earth. This citrusy handwash is also kind to the environment and your skin, as it’s formulated without sodium lauryl sulphate, petrochemicals, palm oil and synthetic fragrances – and it’s not tested on animals either. Plus, 100 per cent of profits from your purchase will help Thankyou get clean water and toilets to people in need.

thankyou.co

Best for: nourishing
L’Occitane Shea Lavender Liquid Soap ($31)
This handwash made with lavender oil and nourishing shea butter won’t dry your skin out. Usually L’Occitane doesn’t use ingredients from outside of Provence (it adheres to the traditional methods of the region’s master soap-makers), but it makes an exception for shea butter. The company has worked with thousands of women in Burkina Faso to sustainably source the fair-trade ingredient.

loccitane.com

Best For: soothing your skin
Ren Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Energising Handwash ($37)
This handwash from London-based skincare company Ren doesn’t contain sulphates, so it won’t strip your hands of moisture – perfect for these times of frequent and vigorous handwashing. Added magnesium has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, and a blend of essential oils helps boost energy with a refreshing scent.

mecca.com.au

Best for: sensitive skin
Malin & Goetz Lime Handwash ($38)
Invigorating lime will brighten your mood, while amino acids gently cleanse the hands. This one lathers into a light foam, meaning a single pump will suffice, and it rinses residue-free. It’s particularly good for sensitive skin, with a natural colour and hydrating glycerine.

mecca.com.au

Looking for equally stylish hand sanitiser? Find them here.