Overview
Castile soap is a gentle cleanser that traditionally consists of only soap, glycerin and water–the result of the saponification process, according to castile soap makers Dr. Bronner’s. Castile soap devotees use it not only as a skin cleanser, but also as a dish soap, laundry soap, toothpaste and household cleaner. Because castile soap is generally free of chemical and synthetic additives, it’s a good choice for a neutral base in homemade skin care preparations. In order to use the soap as an exfoliant, though, you will need to add an abrasive.
Step 1
Pour 1 cup of liquid castile soap into a wide-mouth jar. Add 1 cup of a carrier oil of your choice. According to the informational site Homemade Beauty Recipes, any type of carrier oil will work, but it’s best to choose one with a mild scent, like grapeseed or sweet almond oil, if you plan on adding your own fragrances.
Step 2
Add 1 cup of brown sugar. Stir gently. Brown sugar will partially dissolve, but most of the grains will remain intact, making it a gentle but effective exfoliant. Substitute coarse sea salt or finely crushed nuts or seeds for brown sugar to achieve a similar effect, according to Homemade Beauty Recipes. Note that crushed nuts and seeds make a harsher scrub.
Step 3
Add a 1/2 tsp. of skin-nourishing vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil helps repair the skin and prevent the effects of aging, according to a study published by the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make a scented or medicated scrub. If you suffer from occasional acne, you may choose to add tea tree oil. According to the Mayo Clinic, tea tree oil might have acne fighting properties. Stir gently.
Step 4
Splash warm water on your face. Scoop about 1 to 2 tbsp. of the scrub into your hands, and gently rub your hands together to evenly distribute it. Lightly massage the scrub onto your face in small circles. When you’ve exfoliated your entire face, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Step 5
Recap the jar and store in a cool place. Stir before each use as the ingredients will settle. Add more brown sugar as needed.
