The Reason You Should Use Castile Soap For Your Acne

Do you have a collection of cleansers claiming to diminish acne, or maybe a strict regimen of face treatments, but your pimples seem to be invincible? We've all been there, and with all the different products and companies offering cures to the red bumps on our faces, it's harder than ever to know what to do. It seems like it might be time to go back to the basics with castile soap.

The bad news is that many anti-acne products are filled with skin irritants and toxins, but the good news is that there's a simple alternative. Castile soap is a non-toxic, oil-based product that's traditionally been crafted out of olive oil, but it can be made with hemp, avocado (for folks who didn't get their avo toast fill), and coconut oils. It's also earth-friendly and biodegradable. The natural product lathers up just like your chemical-filled soaps, but without the drawbacks (via Era Organics).

People have been using the stuff for thousands of years, so it's got to be good right? It's even worthy of a queen: Cleopatra apparently experienced a similar issue that we face today, and demanded a better cleansing product. In response, the Egyptians made her an early version of castile soap.

Acne can be irritated by products with extreme pH levels. Our skin likes to have a pH of about 5.5, meaning it's slightly acidic, but many cleansers totally throw that off (via Skin Care Rx). Castile soap is often considered a fairly neutral product on the pH scale, and is able to help balance the acidity in many skin types with its slight alkalinity. However, some castile products have been reported to leave skin feeling tight and dry leading to an overproduction of oil throughout the day (via Bustle). As with any product, it's always safest to proceed with caution and act according to how your skin responds. 

It can be tricky to find the right castile soap, but beware of products claiming to be natural while still including chemicals in their cleanser. A cult favorite of many oil-based soap fans is Dr. Bronners. It's organic and easy to find, plus it has a whopping 18 uses, from laundry detergent to deodorant (via Best Advisor). If Dr. Bronners isn't doing it for you, Kirk's Original Hypoallergenic Castile soap might do the trick. It's gentle enough for babies, and has been sold for almost a century as a non-toxic product. It's definitely another great option for acne prone skin.

If your acne isn't responding to common skincare options, an oil-based castile soap just might do the trick.