Castile Soap

INCI Name

N/A

Botanical Name

Olea europaea, Cocos nucifera (varies by oil source)

Castile soap is a natural, plant-based cleanser made by saponifying vegetable oils such as olive or coconut. It produces a rich, gentle lather without synthetic surfactants and is prized for being biodegradable, eco-conscious, and suitable for all skin types when properly diluted.

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Primary Function
Surfactant
Add'l Function
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Scent Profile
Neutral
Mild
Is It Natural?
Naturally Derived (Saponified Oils)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Sensitive
Oily
Combination
Normal
Baby/Child Safe
Considered Safe for Babies
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Cleanser, surfactant, foaming agent, emulsifier

Product Type(s):

Cleanser
Soap
General Use

Typical Usage Range:

Up to 20% in rinse-off formulations (depending on dilution and pH)

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Supportive Qualities

Gently cleanses without stripping natural oils; biodegradable and eco-friendly; suitable for sensitive skin; plant-based alternative to synthetic detergents

Primary Components:

Sodium oleate, sodium cocoate, sodium palmate, glycerin, water

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Important to Know

May cause dryness or irritation if used undiluted; high pH may be unsuitable for facial use

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Saponification (alkaline hydrolysis of vegetable oils)

Choose versions made with organic or fair-trade oils; avoid synthetic fragrances; ensure sulfate-free

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.