You may have heard of castile soap before, but do you know how it differs from other traditional soaps available on the market? Castile soap differs significantly from traditional body wash and detergent for a variety of reasons, so it’s no surprise that the versatile cleaner has risen to become one of the most widely used household products in modern times.
We’ll explore the usage of castile soap as a facial cleanser. Consider utilizing castile soap if you’re looking for another facial cleanser that will work for your skin. In actuality, a bottle of castile soap can cause you to discard roughly half of your skincare products. Let’s look at how castile soap can be used to wash the face.
What is Castile Soap?
Castile soap is a multipurpose vegetable-based soap that is prepared without using artificial chemicals or animal fats. You may get this all-natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable soap in bar or liquid form. It was created in the Mediterranean region before its use gained popularity in Europe. Its name comes from Spain’s Castile region and it was traditionally made of olive oil.
Castile soap is currently manufactured with coconut, castor, or hemp oils. There are several that are produced with oils from almond, walnut, and avocado. These oils provide the soap its lather, moisturizing, and cleansing properties. Castile soap serves a variety of purposes in addition to being environmentally beneficial. It’s because you may use it to clean not only your face but also your house and your pet.
How Does Castile Soap Work?
In general, soap molecules, including those in Castile soap, have two ends: one that attracts water and the other that repels it. A free-floating charged atom is produced when soap is mixed with water; this atom attracts and captures dirt and other non-water-soluble substances.
Castile Soap Uses
Castile soap triumphs in terms of versatility. It is a wise purchase because it can be used for both cleaning the house and for personal care. Here are some fantastic home uses for castile soap:
1. Dish Soap: You can make a dishwashing solution by mixing one part castile soap with ten parts water, or you can add a generous amount of the concentrated liquid as you fill the sink with hot water. Castile soap is excellent at cutting through greasy dishes, and the Environmental Working Group gives it an A for being a “product of low concern.” Although it won’t produce suds, your dishes will still be immaculately clean. Remember to thoroughly rinse.
2. All-Purpose Cleaner: Add one-quarter cup of castile soap and one quart of warm water. Combine, then transfer to a spray bottle. Use this to clean a variety of surfaces, including dusty surfaces, floors, furniture, appliances, and counters. Spray and then dry with a fresh cloth. Before spraying, sprinkle baking soda on the surface to increase cleaning power.
Pro tip: Avoid mixing vinegar, which you might also use around the house, with alkaline Castile soap. A white coating that is challenging to remove may be left on surfaces and objects as a result of the reaction, which cancels out the power of both components.
3. Laundry: Despite not being a typical detergent, castile soap can be used to clean beddings and clothings. For a normal load, use 1/3 cup, but add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. To soak delicates, add a spritz of concentrated liquid soap to a sink of warm water.
4. Foaming Soap: If you have a foaming soap dispenser, you can add your own homemade solution to it. Add a few drops of essential oil of your choosing, two tablespoons of liquid castile soap, and one-half teaspoon of fractionated coconut or olive oil. Combine with water and it’s ready for use.
5. Face and Body Wash: Wet hands and face, add two to three drops of concentrated liquid soap, then rub hands together to create a lather. Apply to the face and thoroughly rinse. In the shower or bath, apply a squirt of concentrated liquid soap to a damp towel or sponge and rub it all over your body. Additionally, you can create your own body wash with castile soap, honey, olive oil, and essential oils.
6. Makeup Remover: Castile soap, fractionated coconut or almond oil, and witch hazel can be used in an equal amount to create a moisturizing makeup remover that works well. Reusable cloth pads or cotton rounds can be dipped in the solution and gently wiped over the face and eyes. Use water to rinse.
7. Shaving: Castile soap produces an excellent lather, making it perfect for shaving. Wet your hands and your skin, then add four to five drops of concentrated soap and rub your hands together until they foam. Apply to the face, underarms, or legs, shave, and then rinse.
8. Homemade Baby Wipes: These are a better option than the microfiber-shedding, sewage-clogging wipes. Use one-half of a roll of durable paper towels (ideally recycled) and place them in an airtight container, such as a plastic ice cream tub or an old baby wipes box. Mix two tablespoons of liquid castile soap, two cups of hot water, one tablespoon of lotion, and one tablespoon of almond oil. Allow the towels to soak in the liquid for ten minutes before using.
9. Decongestant: This works well with liquid soap that has a peppermint or eucalyptus scent. Add two or three drops of soap to a bowl of hot, nearly boiling water. Put a cloth over your head for a more concentrated effect and hold your head over the bowl to inhale the steam. Your nasal passageways ought to open up quickly.
10. Pet Shampoo: Spray some liquid soap into your dog’s wet hair before rinsing it off. Lather it up generously with your hands, then thoroughly rinse.
11. Plant Care: Mix one tablespoon castile soap with one quart of water if you have bugs on your houseplants. To keep the bugs away, spray this on the leaves.
12. Brush Cleaner: Castile soap can be used to clean water-based paint brushes and makeup brushes. Pour warm water over a squirt of concentrated soap in a bowl. Add the paintbrushes and soak for a few minutes to soften them before gently rubbing. Rinse until the water is clear. Alternately, wet your palm with water and squirt two to three drops of soap there for makeup brushes. After rubbing the brush head around your palm, rinse the brush and reshape the bristles.
13. Produce Rinse: Mix one tablespoon of castile soap, ideally citrus-scented, and one gallon of water. This can be used to clean fresh fruits and vegetables if you’re worried about dirt and bacteria. After giving the vegetables a quick stir, transfer them to a towel to air dry.
Benefits of Using Castile Soap on the Skin
Let’s first discuss the advantages that castile soap can offer to the skin before learning how to use it to wash the face.
- It gently cleanses the skin without the toxins: To create the familiar lather in most soaps, harmful sulfates are added. But because castile soap is chemical-free, it naturally produces lather. It differs from other soaps in that it can both cleanse and protect skin at the same time since it contains oleuropein, a substance with strong antibacterial properties.
- It is safe for sensitive skin: Even the most sensitive skin types can use castile soap because it is manufactured with safe and simple plant oils.
- It is great for oily and acne-prone skin: Castile soap has oils in it that have antimicrobial properties and can penetrate the pores. It implies that the skin can be cleaned without becoming dry.
- It can soothe and smooth dry and irritated skin: Plant oils found in castile soap are a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids. These can support replenishing the water content of the epidermis, resulting in supple and radiant skin.
- It is naturally hydrating: Glycerin, a component of castile soap, can draw moisture from the air around it, keeping skin naturally hydrated.
- It does not clog pores: Castile soap, which is manufactured from olive oil, allows your skin to breathe and promotes the natural process of exfoliation.
- It can ease eczema, psoriasis, and more: Oleocanthal, an anti-inflammatory substance, is another ingredient in castile soap. The majority of skin disorders are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by doing this.
Castile Soap as a Foaming Face Wash
The face should be treated delicately because it is the most significant feature for the majority of people. The beauty industry will advise you to chemically strip, exfoliate, and peel your face when you look up skincare routines. However, the solutions they recommend frequently start a vicious cycle that makes you need additional products.
The greatest method to take care of your skin is to eat healthy foods and maintain the balance of natural oils that your body creates. Castile soap will still perform what soaps are designed to do, which is remove dirt, when you use it as a facial cleanser because it won’t destroy the healthy oils on your skin.
In addition to using castile soap alone to wash your face, you can also combine it with additional ingredients to make it more nourishing for your skin. You can actually try a variety of various castile soap face wash recipes. Here are a few ones we discovered that you might want to give a shot:
- Exfoliating Orange Castile Soap Face Wash: You only need 8 ounces of liquid castile soap, 35 drops of sweet orange essential oil, and a teaspoon of finely ground orange peel to prepare this facial wash. This facial cleanser is simple but efficient. It is wonderful, energizing, and excellent for soothing sensitive skin. The skin can be gently exfoliated with orange peels, leaving you radiant all day. However, because orange oil can be phototoxic, you should avoid spending too much time in the sun after using it.
- Cooling Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Castile Soap Face Wash: You’ll need 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 25 drops of tea tree essential oil, and 8 ounces of liquid castile soap to make this facial wash. This is excellent for skin that is prone to acne or blemishes. Its ingredients can aid in skin cleansing and bacterial removal to stop additional outbreaks. Eucalyptus can also aid in cooling and soothing the skin simultaneously to lessen inflammation.
- Floral Gardens Castile Soap Face Wash: This is a wonderful scent for someone who enjoys floral fragrances. Only 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 25 drops of geranium essential oil, and 8 ounces of liquid castile soap are needed. By promoting cell growth, this wash can aid in skin improvement. This has astringent properties as well. In addition, it can relieve dermatitis and acne. Because it contains lavender, it can cool and calm the skin while also promoting skin cell growth.
- Tingling Peppermint Castile Soap Face Wash: Only 8 ounces of liquid castile soap and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil are required for this preparation. In addition to easing greasy and oily skin, peppermint can also aid to improve circulation. Due to the high menthol content, it exerts a cooling effect on the skin. Just be cautious because peppermint essential oil has a strong flavor. Use no more than 25 drops and keep out of the eyes.
Conclusion
Castile soap can be an effective facial cleanser, particularly if you’re searching for a gentle soap that’s potent enough to wash away dirt from your face without drying it out. You might want to give castile soap a try if you’re looking for a new skincare product to add to your routine. However, bear in mind that not all skins are created equal. So, it’s best to test it out first on a small patch of skin to ensure there won’t be any adverse effects.