These Chic Hand Soaps Will Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Boutique Hotel

There are a lot of things that we collect on our travels. Some have a penchant for fridge magnets, while others find joy in miniature shot glasses. For me, however, whenever I visit somewhere new, I’ve taken to collecting hand soaps. Be it a far-flung destination or somewhere on home soil, I consider no trip to be complete until I’ve found a soap to take home with me to serve as a sensory reminder of where I’ve been. Honestly, I can’t remember how or when my collection started, but over the years, soaps have become something of a passion of mine—one that intensified after enrolling in soap-making classes back in 2017.
However, while much of my collection comes from market stalls and independent shops that are difficult to trace back, my love of soaps has turned into a personal mission to uncover the best soaps out there. Along with candles, fancy hand soaps have become a default whenever I fancy treating myself to something I wouldn’t ordinarily buy, which I then use on rotation depending on the time of year, or a particular scent I’m pining for. Friends and family have also commented that they anticipate seeing which soap—be it a liquid or a bar—I’ll have sitting on my sink when they next visit. Over time, I’ve tried just about every soap out there, and of course, I have my favourites. So whether you’re a fellow soap aficionado or you simply want to elevate your bathroom, scroll below to see the best soaps I recommend buying.
BROWSE MY EDIT OF THE BEST SOAPS OUT THERE
Ever since my first (and only) stay at a Soho House hotel, I've been obsessed with trying to re-create the beautiful surroundings in my own home, starting first and foremost with Cowshed's Restore handwash. With exfoliating particulars and one of the most blissful scents, this hand soap is a serious contender for my top position.
I'm just a girl, standing in front of a French soap bar, asking for it to make her French by association. Savon de Marseille's affordable soap bars last longer than any other I've tried, nourish the skin, come in just about every scent you can imagine, and will bring a bit of Gallic charm to your bathroom set-up. Yes, you could say I'm a fan.
This hand soap is one I've only recently come across, but I'm already impressed by it. Recommended for anyone who suffers the drying and damaging effects of frequent handwashing. Strong and soothing simultaneously, this high-performing formula has been tested for safe use in hospitals and also uses quality, cruelty-free ingredients to repair damaged skin. Additionally, for every product sold, Nursem donates a month's worth of free Nursem products to a nurse or midwife. How amazing is that?
As most things tend to unfold, after first seeing (and buying) Claus Porto soaps on a trip to Portugal, I began seeing them everywhere when I returned home. While I prefer the soap bars for their longevity, I've lost count of how many times I've given this set of 15 small soaps as a gift. Needless to say, it always goes down well.
If the champagne life is is what you crave, this Sisley soap should ultimately be your next purchase. The decadent formula will leave your hands feeling fresh and invigorated, while the scent, which smells like light champagne, will turn the essential act of washing your hands into a bougie experience.
As nostalgic as the idea of soap on a rope may be, there's no denying that this iteration is one of the chicest options out there. Thankfully, unlike a lot of black soaps, Tamanohada's muscovado koi doesn't leave an inky residue in your sink. If you've had this issue in the past, then you'll agree it's not something you want revisit.
Next: 12 Beauty Insiders Just Gave Me a Tour of Their Bathroom Cupboards
Opening Image: @hannahcrosskey

Maxine Eggenberger isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.