Classic Softsoap brand liquid hand soaps come in seven scents. The ingredients for each scent are different, which is especially important for those with allergies or particularly sensitive skin to know. Check the ingredients carefully before purchasing.

The ingredients in the Lavender & Chamomile scented Softsoap are water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, polyquaternium-7, glycerin, PEG 7, glyceryl cocoate, aloe vera leaf juice, silk peptide, hydrolyzed silk protein, benzophenone 4, and Ext. D&C Violet 2 (coloring).

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a semisynthetic foaming agent. It is not uncommon for people to be allergic to this ingredient.

Not only the dyes and scents differ. For instance, the Softsoap Crisp Cucumber & Melon scent has fewer ingredients: water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, polyquaternium-7, glycerin, benzophenone 4, Yellow 5 Lake and D&C Green 5.

This scent is lacking in silk proteins and aloe vera, two ingredients that are important in keeping hands soft and moisturized. However, the glycerin is extremely moisturizing. Tetrasodium EDTA, a chelating agent, reduces water hardness and allows the soap to work better.

Softsoap's Black Raspberry & Vanilla contains water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, sodium chloride, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, PEG 120 methyl glucose dioleate, tetrasodium EDTA, sodium sulfate, polyquaternium 7, citric acid, poloxamer 124, D&C Red 33 and FD&C Blue 1.

Decyl glucoside is a cleansing agent. It has good foaming power and helps to maintain skin balance so that the soap will not overly dry out hands.

The Milk Protein & Honey Softsoap is particularly moisturizing. Its ingredients are water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, glycol stearate, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, polyquaternium 7, citric acid, aloe vera juice, tetrasodium EDTA, honey, lactose, milk protein, glycerin, hydrolyzed silk, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 40.

Lauramide DEA, or lauric diethanolamide, is a thickening and foaming agent.

Antibacterial soap is popular in places where there are commonly a lot of germs. Schools, hospitals and doctor's offices, as well as restaurants, often provide antibacterial soap. Softsoap says its antibacterial hand soap kills 99 percent of germs. The active ingredient is triclosan (0.15 percent). Inactive ingredients are water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, polyquaternium-7, glycerin, hydrolyzed silk, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and D&C Red No. 33.

DMDM hydratonin is a preservative. This ingredient is controversial because it preserves the soap by releasing formaldehyde, which is a known skin and lung irritant.

Sometimes you just want a refreshing and clean scented hand soap. The Pink Grapefruit scented Softsoap is just that. The ingredients are water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, polyquaternium-7, glycerin, benzophenone-4, grapefruit oil, hydrolyzed silk, aloe vera juice, FD&C Red No. 4 and D&C Red No. 33.

The hydrolized silk in this formulation helps skin retain the moisturizers in the soap. It is a very conditioning ingredient.

If your hands are dry and cracked, the Soothing Aloe Vera scented Softsoap might reduce further damage. It contains water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, lauramide DEA, glycol stearate, sodium chloride, cocamidopropyl betaine, DMDM hydantoin, fragrance, polyquaternium-7, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, glycerin, aloe vera juice and hydrolyzed silk.

Polyquaternium 7 is a moisturizing agent. It has skin conditioning properties and is common also in shampoos and conditioners.