It has been about 6 months since we made the switch to Castile soap, and to be honest, we haven’t felt this good in a long time. After dumping all of our personal care products at the end of February 2023, we used Castile soap for hair, face, and body.
Now let me start off by saying that it may not be the best option for everyone. It’s ok if it doesn’t work for you. Just keep trying to find something that does.
There are many brands out there, but we found Vermont Soap to be what we were looking for in a liquid soap. It lathers quite nicely, and we noticed we have been able to dilute it more over time with continued use.
I use it for all my personal care: hair, face, and body. I also use it for shaving since it has a really nice lather. We have sensitive skin and can break out into hives fairly easily, and so I’m happy to say we aren’t nearly as itchy as we have been.
For my hair: I have long thick natural fine hair. I no longer color treat or bleach it.
At first, my hair felt tacky and oily, even after repeated use. I stuck with it, though, but I noticed something interesting happen over the first couple of months. The middle section of my hair seemed to not lather as much and felt more tacky than usual. I was due for a haircut, so I had it trimmed just above that section. All of my hair began to lather and clean nicely afterward, and it still is nearly 3 or so months later.
Castile soap cleans my hair well! Since soap opens the hair cuticle to release dirt and oil, it’s important to use an acid wash like Apple Cider Vinegar to close the cuticle.
I have never had a clarifying shampoo or any ultra hydrating conditioner ever clean and soften my hair as the combination of Castile soap and apple cider vinegar has. It’s easier to brush through and dries very well.
The ACV does make your hair smell like vinegar when it’s wet, so be sure to thoroughly rinse your hair with water after your ACV rinse. Think of it as your new favorite conditioner.
You’ll want to start off with a dilution ratio that gives you a good lather. It won’t wash away all your natural oils unless you repeat the wash step several times.
As you progress through the transition phase (the time it takes to break down the detergent buildup), you’ll find you need to use less soap to achieve a great lather with your dilution.
The same thing will start to happen with the apple cider vinegar. You won’t need to use as much vinegar in your dilution solution, which will lower the vinegar smell as your hair dries.
For skin: the same concept applies to skin as well. You’ll need to find the right dilution ratio to give you a great lather. As you progress through the transition phase, you’ll notice you need less Castile soap.
There’s nothing special to do with your face. I use the same dilution for the shower (not hair) as I do for hand washing and washing my face.
I have oily/combination skin during warmer months. So, I’m surprised to say my occasional acne has diminished.
During the winter months, my skin is dryer. So, I need something to help with moisturizing. I opted for coconut oil and cocoa butter as a moisturizer. My skin hasn’t loved me this well in a long time.
Conclusion: I don’t regret making the switch at all. I love the way I feel and look. It’s like my skin can breathe. Plus, the long-term costs have been so much cheaper than spending hundreds of dollars a year on products.
If you’re unsure or nervous about making the switch, just try it. Don’t throw out your products until you know for sure.
Also, switch your mindset. We’ve been raised with commercial products. This is simply soap. Pure, unadulterated, old-fashioned soap that has been used for thousands of years compared to just a few decades.
You can even make it yourself from scraps if you feel like you’ll put a bigger burden on our global food supply. This is a huge opportunity to reduce plastics, toxic chemicals, and waste.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Living Clean Naturally 