Good hand soap replacement(s) for Bath and Body Works "luxe"?

September 17, 2022 10:34 AM

I've used Bath and Body Works "luxe" soap, which is very creamy and feels amazing on my hands (while keeping them moist; my hands dry easily!). Sadly, BBW has since then discontinued their "luxe"sub-brand, and the rest of their hand soaps aren't as moisturizing. Ideal replacements?

I'd be open to replacements found in person easily, or online on Amazon, as I am an Amazon Prime member. Ideally, something that has a similar creamy feel as BBW's "luxe" sub-brand, and similar smells, and similar quality, while not being super expensive.

Bonus information: I tend to use their "black cherry merlot", "kitchen lemon", and "eucalyptus mint" flavors, which all were under their creamy "luxe" sub-brand.

A big soapy thanks!

posted by dubious_dude to Shopping (10 answers total)

I can't speak to how it compares to the soap you use, but we love Vermont Soap (organic!), and buy their lemongrass foaming hand soap by the gallon.
posted by terrapin at 11:12 AM on September 17, 2022

You might like Hand in Hand--I don't know if it'll be as creamy as you like, but it's moisturizing (shea butter and coconut oil), the scents are nice, it's not super expensive, and it's readily available via Amazon Prime.
posted by box at 11:49 AM on September 17, 2022

I like South of France soap a lot. I buy rose, but it comes in a lot of different scents.

I've never tried Bath and Body Works luxe soap, so I can't make a direct comparison, but I think the South of France is very creamy. Also, I don't know what you consider super expensive, but a bar of this lasts me a very long time.
posted by FencingGal at 12:10 PM on September 17, 2022

I don’t know the one you use now, but the description you are looking for could easily fit dionis. Amazon carries it but it’s pricey there. Look for the bundle of the soap dispenser + refill, and you can often find it on sale for just a little more than Amazon is selling the dispenser only for. Costco carries it too sometimes (or at least has in the past).
posted by sillysally at 12:31 PM on September 17, 2022

Sidebar: You could try putting a small drop of lotion only on the back of your damp, just-washed hand, and rubbing your hand-backs together til it absorbs. Doing this moisturizes the driest skin on the hand, while also avoiding getting a greasy feeling on the palms and fingers, or leaving greasy fingerprints on whatever you touch.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:42 PM on September 17, 2022 [3 favorites]

You might like Everspring that you can get at Target. It's gentle, inexpensive, and smells great. They have lemon mint and several other fragrances. I love the geranium & herb.

P.S. I was in B&BW a few days ago at Wheaton Mall (I think you're in DC, right?) - I swear they still have the luxe soap you're looking for. Maybe go buy them out?
posted by XtineHutch at 1:18 PM on September 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

So, I don’t know how accurate this site is for whether things are “safe” or “toxic”, but it does list the ingredients. While this is a different scent, Aloe and hydrolyzed silk seem to be the most unique moisturizers and humectants (which attract water and keep it in your skin) in this soap. You might look for soap with silk and then add a bloom of aloe if you can’t find one with both.
posted by holyrood at 7:21 PM on September 17, 2022

Similar, but not quite same as luxe (but I enjoy both soaps!) is Soapbox hand soaps. We buy them at Boxed. (example, the sandlewood/coconut is the one i've enjoyed scentwise)
posted by NikitaNikita at 7:21 AM on September 18, 2022

It won't end your quest, but you mentioned your Prime membership and those soaps in several scent-ways are still available on Amazon and also eBay.
posted by carmicha at 8:24 AM on September 18, 2022

Response by poster: Thanks for the links, everyone!

@XtineHutch, I was at the BBW at Tysons in VA, and the salesperson confirmed that BBW had discontinued the Luxe sub-brand. Looks like the Wheaton location probably still has them in stock, only because they're selling the remaining stock. Good to know, though—I'll see if I can make a trip to Wheaton. The BBW website does not populate anything when searching for "luxe", which seems to confirm that the sub-brand was discontinued.

I'll try Everspring and see how I like it, and go from there, as Target is convenient, then eventually try the other recommended options and go from there.

@carmicha, I'll check those Amazon options out! They're a bit more expensive than straight from BBW, but definitely is good to know that they're still around (for now).
posted by dubious_dude at 6:21 PM on September 18, 2022