While the complete “recipe” is inaccessible for the masses, a Dawn spokeswoman has pointed the magic to uniquely powerful surfuctants - or, the chemical compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid when it's dissolved, aka the stuff that cuts the grease.

Dawn is an American brand of dishwashing liquid owned by Procter & Gamble. Introduced in 1973, it is the best-selling brand of dishwashing liquid in the United States.

It cuts through tough grease with 50 less scrubbing. So our dishes get cleaner faster even better dawn antibacterial removes 99 of bacteria from your hands. We're cleaning now more than ever.

The Differences Between The Two At a structural level, hand soap is slightly more mild than dish soap, and will dissolve easier and foam better in hot water. Hand soap also typically contains more glycerin than dish soap, which helps the soap be a little more gentle on the skin.

“The short answer is yes, as long as you don't have a skin condition like eczema, you can use dish soap as hand soap because the ingredients in dish soap are used in skin-safe concentrations,” Ford told me. “Safety-wise, it's no worse than bar soap.”

Dawn cuts grease and cleans so well that it's the budget-friendly gold standard we hold others to in our tests. In fact, you'll likely find a bottle at each sink in our GH Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances Lab, too.

Besides being used for dishwashing purposes, Dawn products are also used to remove grease from other items, such as animal fat spilled onto highways, and oil on animals, such as during the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills.

It also has the added benefit of being designed to help fight bacteria on hands when it is used full strength as a hand soap in accordance with the directions, which is why we use the Hand Soap label for this product. We hope this helps, but give us a call at (800) 725-3296 if you have any other questions.

Dawn produces lots of long-lasting suds and holds grease in suspension so it doesn't redeposit back onto dishes. It's great for soaking and softening burned-on messes, and it takes only a little squirt to clean a big pile of dirty dishes.

Dawn Original Dish Soap This classic pick is the best overall dish soap because it requires less scrubbing than other dish soaps. It's also a versatile choice since it can be used on more than just dishes.

Dawn, because it is made to break down oils, will completely strip your skin of its natural oils, disrupt your moisture barrier, and leave you with dry, dehydrated skin. Please do not use any kind of dish soap on your face.

Is Dawn Based On A Book? Yes! As mentioned above, the limited series Dawn is based on the V.C. Andrews novel of the same name.

P&G makes most of its dish soap in Kansas City, Kan.

The primary differences are harshness (hand soaps can be harsher, as hands are often more soiled), lathering, concentration, perfuming/scents, and marketing. (Emphasis on the marketing.) In common composition they are the same but there may be a little difference due to the antibacterial materials added and the smell.

If you're a very frequent hand washer, you might find it's better to opt for washing with gentle dish soap instead - Gregory says Dawn is usually a winner - since hand soaps can sometimes have additives and other ingredients that aren't ideal for many skin types.

Can I use Dawn on my face? Yes, however, we do advise that you consult your dermatologist/doctor.