Do you know that the soap you are using everyday can greatly affect your health? The skin is the largest organ in the human body. What you use on your skin will determine what gets absorbed through your pores into your system.What Is Castile Soap?
Castile soap is made from natural ingredients, mainly olive oil. It was originally made in Castilla, Spain, where it also derived its name “Castile”. Famous for being called the “Queen of Soap”, it became popular among those who preferred to use soaps made from natural ingredients, in order to maintain healthy skin. In fact, the royalty in Europe used Castile soap for centuries.
What Makes Castile Soap ideal for the Skin?
Olive oil is what makes natural Castile soap ideal for the skin. It is the primary ingredient in Castile soap. In fact, some purists would say that in order for a soap to be considered a true Castile soap, it should only be made from 100% olive oil.
Olive oil is the ingredient that gives the soap its mildness and gentleness. If you look at history, ancient Egyptians would use pure olive oil to cleanse their skin from impurities. For centuries, olive oil was used to make soap due to its mild cleansing properties. It also helps the skin to maintain its elasticity and retain moisture.
Characteristics of Pure Castile Soap
Pure Castile soap was traditionally made from 100% saponified olive oil. One characteristic of pure Castile soap is its hardness, as compared to those Castile soaps made from inferior oils such as coconut oil or olive pomace oil. Although inferior options are less expensive, they offer fewer benefits to the skin. Coconut oil can cause dryness and even irritation. Olive pomace oils are made from the residue left over from pressing olive oil. Chemical solvents are used to extract olive pomace oil.
Benefits of Using Castile Soap
Free of synthetic fragrances and preservatives, pure castile soap is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. The natural soap making process, otherwise known as saponification, would produce glycerine, which is a natural moisturizer. However, large companies would often filter glycerine out and use it to make lotions and other moisturizers. On the other hand, using Castile soap entitles your skin to the benefits of glycerine, moisturizing your skin naturally.
Your skin is also protected from harsh chemicals, such as triclosan, a popular chemical used in many antibacterial soaps and body washes. The FDA has deemed this ingredient worthy of further review since studies have indicated that it may be potentially hazardous and the antibacterial properties may actually promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, the FDA has found no evidence that triclosan provides any benefit to soaps and washes.
If all of these great reasons aren’t enough, Castile soap also offers environmental benefits. It is completely biodegradable and lacks the harsh chemicals that may pollute our groundwater.
