Guests Always Notice This Bathroom Upgrade—and It Costs Less Than $50
The cheapest way to make guests compliment your bathroom? Better hand soap.
Reviewed by Sean ZuckerGrooming and Commerce Editor
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I’M BIG ON small grooming upgrades—a reliable daily cologne, natural deodorants that won’t irritate, shaving niceties—splayed out on my sink: an exhibition of discernment in my daily routine. When guests use my bathroom, it’s not uncommon for someone to remark on the grooming essentials they spied, and I love every second of it. It upgrades the space that is, admittedly, not the most glamorous. Try as I might, there are stains from former occupants I can’t seem to clean, and questionable craftsmanship in the caulking around the shower and sink. This is the renter’s plight.
Recently, I discovered the easiest, cheapest, and most overlooked bathroom upgrade—hand soap. As part of spring cleaning, I replaced my afterthought bar-and-soap-dish with Homecourt’s Cece Exfoliating Hand Wash. Now, it feels like a hotel bathroom, and anyone who uses it comes out remarking how good the soap smells and how soft their hands feel. No one is asking about the questionable black spot in the corner, the mismatched grout and tile, or even my grooming gear and nice towels—the fancy hand soap steals the show. Here are some others to consider.
Best Deal
The Cece comes in an exfoliating and non-exfoliating version, and I bought both. It smells great, has minimal branding (despite being helmed by a certain F.R.I.E.N.D. by the name of Courteney Cox—you might be familiar), and doesn’t dry out my hands. The scent lingers just long enough to appreciate without being overpowering. I really like the subtle lather that gently cleanses, yet is easy to rinse off.
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Lavender Liquid Hand Soap (3-Pack)
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Lavender Liquid Hand Soap (3-Pack)
Just because it’s a good deal and widely available doesn’t mean it can’t be fancy. Mrs. Meyer's has a slew of great-smelling household cleaning products, so I trust them implicitly to clean my hands. The lavender scent is my favorite, and I always have a bottle on hand to put in the bathroom or kitchen sink.
Fruits and Passion Sea Salt and Amalfi Lemon Hand Soap
Fruits and Passion Sea Salt and Amalfi Lemon Hand Soap
This soap uses cold-pressed olive oil, which leaves your hands feeling silky smooth (but not oily, I promise). Hints of lemon and sea salt make for an excellent summery scent, and it comes in an elevated glass bottle you can refill and reuse.
Method Gel Hand Soap in Vetiver + Amber (3-Pack)
Method Gel Hand Soap in Vetiver + Amber (3-Pack)
Le Labo acolytes can get that Santal 33 scent anytime they wash their hands, without paying $55 a bottle. This Method hand soap smells exactly like the brand’s signature scent and features a plant-based formula that won’t irritate sensitive skin. The black aluminum bottle with tonal branding is also a nice touch.
Aesop has launched a thousand copycats and is up there with Le Labo when it comes to olfactory royalty. You may have seen it at fancy hotels or bars, and may have stolen it from fancy hotels and bars (I know I have). It has a clean, citrusy scent and a very subtle lather that leaves hands soft. Not to mention, the branding is on-point.
Apotheke Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap in Charcoal
Apotheke Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap in Charcoal
We were gifted an Apotheke candle as an engagement gift earlier this year, and I loved the scent—this hand soap smells exactly like it. It has a woody scent thanks to notes of sandalwood and cedarwood, and the formula doesn’t dry out my hands.
Element Brooklyn Wild Pear Hand Soap
Element Brooklyn Wild Pear Hand Soap
If you have a beloved soap dispenser already—you’re ahead of the game— and instead check out Element Brooklyn. The brand makes environmentally friendly essentials by reducing plastic bottles and packaging, but keeping the quality ingredients. This means you can get the Byredo Suede scent for $50 less.
More Grooming Essentials
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Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
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