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Castile soap is a vegan soap made from vegetable oils, as opposed to animal fats. Physically, it is hard and white, and is traditionally made using olive oil and soda. It is gentle on the skin, and the lack of animal fats means it’s a vegan-friendly skin cleanser. Castile soap is so mild, it is often found in all-natural baby soaps and baby skincare products.
Castile soap is a great cleanser for sensitive skin, as it is a gentle and mild ingredient. It is also a great option for those seeking vegan-friendly ingredients.
Castile soap has natural antibacterial properties. The oils found in castile soap penetrate pores to thoroughly clean without over-drying skin.
Additionally, the bar form of castile soap retains some of the natural oils from which it is made and is blended with other beneficial oils. Plant oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids replenish moisture in the skin, helping to hydrate, smooth, and soothe dry, irritated skin.
Lastly, oleocanthal is a component found in the olive oil from which castile soap is made. Oleocanthal has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the redness and irritation associated with skin concerns like eczema.
One drawback of using it is that it may be a little too mild. While great for removing makeup and superficial dirt, castile soap may not be strong enough to kill the full array of bacteria or fungal infections trapped within pores.
Some users have reported a tight feeling to their skin after using castile soap, and some have noted an overproduction of oil later in the day with certain concentrations of castile.
Castile soap is more alkaline than most dermatologists recommend for acne-prone skin, but in the proper routine and combination with other ingredients (like a proper exfoliant), many people have found castile soap to improve their acne.
For skin problems like acne, clogged pores, wrinkle prevention, your face wash should contain exfoliating ingredients to exfoliate dead skin, so using castile soap alone will not fully address your skincare goals. Additionally, to avoid stripping your skin’s natural protective barrier with regular use of castile soap, you’ll want to balance it with nourishing ingredients and skin-loving oils to nourish the skin.
To make sure castile soap is the right ingredient, in the right concentration, for your particular skin type and skincare needs, take our skin quiz!
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
Castile soap may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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