What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is an ideal product for someone trying to go green and reduce the use of harsh soaps, many of which contain chemicals harmful for the skin. The main advantage of using this soap is that it is natural, biodegradable, and milder than other soaps.

It is made from vegetable oils. In general, olive oil is used for this purpose. This soap is not made from animal fats and synthetic substances, unlike the regular soaps. Its basic ingredients are pure olive oil, lye crystals (potassium hydroxide), and water. The soap is formed due to the reaction between lye and oil, which is known as saponification.

Traditionally, castile soap is made by using only olive oil. But nowadays, several other types of oils, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil are also used along with olive oil to make this soap, as pure olive oil is very expensive in many countries of the world. Many times, essential oils are also used to give fragrance to this soap.

It is a versatile soap. It produces a mild and creamy lather that helps clean the skin and the hair without causing dryness. The liquid castile soap can be used for making natural homemade shampoo. The soap can be used for washing clothes and diapers, as well as for shaving and cleaning dishes. It is so mild that it can be used as a pet shampoo as well. Many people also like to use it for cleaning teeth. However, care must be taken to not swallow it while doing so. Another important use of this soap is that it can be used as a safe and natural floor cleaner.

Made from pure olive oil, this soap is so mild that it is suitable for babies and people with sensitive skin as well. The soap contains olive oil, which is known widely for its moisturizing properties. Olive oil helps keep the skin soft and supple by moisturizing it from deep within. Therefore, this soap does not cause skin dryness, unlike regular soaps. Olive oil also nourishes the skin, as it contains vitamin E. It can prove beneficial for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Olive oil contains a substance, known as squalene, which helps the skin retain moisture for a long time, and promote skin regeneration.

Making your own soap can be a really rewarding experience, if you know the technique and the right ingredients. The basic recipe for making castile soap is quite simple, as it requires only three ingredients - olive oil, lye crystals, and tap water. Along with these three basic ingredients, you can use a few drops of essential oil for fragrance, and other oils and cocoa butter.

To make this soap, you will need about 3 cups of pure olive oil, 2 cups of water, and about 6 ounces of lye crystals. First, take the water in a glass mixing bowl and add the lye crystals to it slowly. Be sure to wear protective gloves, as lye can cause severe reactions, if it comes in contact with your skin. While adding the lye crystals, remember to stir the mixture slowly, until all the crystals dissolve completely.

Now, allow the lye mixture to cool down, and in the meantime, put olive oil in a pan. If you are going to use cocoa butter and other oils, then put them also in the pan and heat them at a low flame. Stop heating the mixture, once it reaches a temperature of 98 to 100°F. When the temperature of both the lye solution and the oil mixture becomes equal, pour the lye solution slowly and gently into the oil. Keep stirring the mixture while doing so until it becomes thicker. At this stage, you can add a few drops of essential oil.

Now, pour the mixture into a soap mold, cover the mold with a lid or parchment paper, and wrap it with a towel or blanket, in order to keep it warm. Do not disturb the mixture for at least 18 hours, after which you can remove the towel (or the blanket). Wait for another 12 hours, after which you can remove the soap from the mold. You can cut it into different shapes of your choice, and put them in a dry and cool place for a few days (about two weeks).

To sum up, castile soap is a mild soap made from pure olive oil, and is great for anyone looking for a natural soap free of harmful chemicals for hair and skin care.