Castile soap is a soap made from olive oil and, together with Marseille soap and Aleppo soap, is one of the most popular and widespread natural soaps in the world. It takes its name from Castile, the Spanish region where it was produced for the first time from olive oil and barilla, an alkaline ash obtained from the burning of kali grass, a common plant in Spain. Nowadays Castile soap can be prepared by adding essential oils or other plant based oils such as coconut, sweet almonds or avocado oils to increase its nourishing and soothing properties. But let's see now, based on scientific studies, the properties of Castile soap and how this cosmetic can be used on the skin, especially in case of acne.
Castile soap, properties
Castile soap is antimicrobial and can help in case of small wounds, irritations or pimples. In fact, scientific studies (Conroy et al, J Orthop Trauma, 1999) have observed that Castile soap-based irrigations have been able to reduce the presence of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the causes of skin diseases such as some forms of acne resistant to antibiotics, dermatitis caused by swimming pools or bathtub, eczema. This particularly effective action is determined by the soap surfactants that destroy the bonds formed between bacteria and the body and this effect seems even higher than that of salt water (Anglen et al, Int Orthop, 2003). Moreover, thanks to its content in olive oil, Castile soap is characterized by the presence of phenols and vitamin E, powerful antioxidants against free radical damage and able to soothe inflammations (Tzu kai Lin et al, Int J Mol Ski, 2018).
Castile soap, applications
In the case of young, acne-prone skin, eczema or small wounds you can certainly use the Castile soap for a local treatment or for facial cleansing. For example, you can add 2 teaspoons of Castile soap to a cup of filtered and boiled water, stir and use to cleanse the area affected by minor irritation or injury. As mentioned, you can also use Castile soap to clean your face, especially in case of acne, blackheads and oily skin. You can use it in the morning, then dry the skin and apply a flora water and your face cream. Castile soap is found in herbalist’s shops or online.
