What ingredients are in liquid hand wash? image
  • Clean beauty
  • Skin care

What ingredients are in liquid hand wash?

Does using a liquid hand wash leave your skin feeling dry and irritable? Read on to find out about the ingredients used in many hand washes and explain how they can affect your skin. You can also find out about our range of natural and organic hand washes and how we make these suitable for sensitive skin.

By Alexandra Julian

3 Minute read

Does using a liquid hand wash leave your skin feeling dry and irritable? Read on to find out about the ingredients used in many hand washes and explain how they can affect your skin.

You can also find out about our range of natural and organic hand washes and how we make these suitable for sensitive skin.

Ingredients often found in hand wash

There are certain ingredients found in many hand washes that may cause dryness or irritation, or are more likely to cause allergies.

The first of these is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a foaming ingredient used in not just hand wash but also other foaming products such as shampoo and shower gel.

People who are sensitive to SLS may experience dry skin or contact dermatitis after using products with it in.

The second ingredient often found in hand wash that can lead to dry skin is ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol.

Found in a broad range of cosmetics, it is used in higher levels in hand sanitisers and some hand washes. Frequent hand washing with ethyl alcohol-based washes can lead to dry hands and irritation.

The last ingredient in hand wash that we will look at is fragrance. Although many hand washes do have a lovely scent, this is often created by artificial fragrances, which are a very common cause of allergies to skin care products.

Even essential oils can be a problem for those with very sensitive skin or particular allergies, which is why we have created a Scent Free Hand Wash that is completely free from fragrance.

Shop gentle hand washes

Green People’s organic hand washes are developed to be mild yet still effective at keeping your hands sanitised.

They do not contain SLS, ethyl alcohol or artificial fragrances and have been developed as an alternative for those who wish to use a liquid hand wash but want to avoid synthetic chemicals.

If you prefer a scent, choose our Manuka & Lemon Tea Tree Hand Wash. Gently scented with Sweet Orange, Manuka and Lemon Tea Tree, this refreshing hand wash is perfect for all the family.

If you have sensitive skin or prefer an unscented hand wash, choose our Scent Free Hand Wash. The ultra-gentle formula is eczema-friendly and leaves hands feeling soft and clean.

customer review

Ingredients we use in our hand washes

Discover some of the skin-friendly ingredients that we use to create our natural and organic hand washes.

  • Sodium Coco Sulphate – a gentle foaming agent that creates skin-friendly bubbles
  • Organic Aloe Vera – this natural hero ingredient soothes and hydrates
  • Essential oils – to add their antibacterial qualities to our scented hand wash

Have you got a question about the ingredients in our natural hand washes? Our UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions you may have about our organic hand washes. Please call us on 01403 740350 or contact us on social @GreenPeopleUK.

If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to "What chemicals are in liquid hand wash?". Please do not use an affiliate link.

Read next...

Woman with Green People product
Lifestyle

A winter night skin care routine for glowing skin

On a cold wintery night, you’ll bundle your feet into warm slippers and snuggle up with a hot water bottle to keep yourself cosy but could you do more to keep your skin comfortable during a cold snap? Here we reveal the best night skin care routine for winter.

By Hannah Mepham

13/10/2025

5 Minute read

READ NOW
gluten free skin care
Clean beauty

Essential guide to gluten-free skin care

Switching to gluten-free skin care products can feel overwhelming, especially when gluten hides under so many different ingredient names. At Green People UK, all of our products are intentionally gluten-free. We use natural, skin-loving alternatives like Quinoa to keep your skin and hair healthy, happy and irritation-free.

By Lucy Thorpe

09/10/2025

9 Minute read

READ NOW
Green People Christmas gift sets
Eco & ethical

Top vegan Christmas beauty gift ideas

Shopping for a vegan beauty gift set for Christmas? For ethical, vegan gift inspiration, look no further than our vegan skin care Christmas gift guide, featuring thoughtful, cruelty-free Christmas gifts approved by the Vegan Society.  

By Lucy Thorpe

09/10/2025

8 Minute read

READ NOW
Read more articles

1,500+ Five star reviews

Read all Reviews
"One of the best companies I have ever dealt with in my 63 years on this planet!"

Jan B.

Verified Buyer

"Have fallen in love with this product range. They are lovely to use and they work!"

Carole G.

Verified Buyer

"You guys are amazing, continue to love the brand, excited to order from you again!"

Maitreya L.

Verified Buyer

"Super quick delivery, ethical packaging and beautiful products."

Nat J.

Verified Buyer

"I love every product I have tried from Green People, and the customer service has always been excellent."

Maria H.

Verified Buyer

"So glad I have found an ethical supplier with great products!"

Susan B.

Verified Buyer