Most DIY body wash recipes contain castile soap because it’s the typical ingredient used to make the body wash lather up.
However, if your skin is sensitive or prone to irritation, itching, and dryness then making a body wash without castile soap may be better for you.
Here I’ll list some recipes and directions for body wash without castile soap and a few of my favorite less toxic ones you can buy.
Please note: This post is a compilation of recipes that have not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
1. Homemade Body Wash Without Castile Soap
This recipe I found on Style Craze has several ingredients you’ll need to buy because you probably don’t have them on hand.
Ingredients Needed:
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1 tablespoon glycerin (get it here)
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (get it here)
- ½ teaspoon guar gum (get it here)
- 5 drops lavender oil (get it here)
- 5 drops tea tree oil (get it here)
- ¼ cup African black soap (get it here)
Directions:
- Boil the distilled water.
- Grate the African soap (if it is solid), add it to the water then let it dissolve.
- Add the glycerin and the other ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture to a bottle and shake.
2. DIY Body Wash
This recipe by Beauty Munsta uses bar soap in place of Castile.
Here Dove soap is used but you can substitute it with any unscented or hypoallergenic bar soap.
What you’ll need:
- 2 bars of Dove bar soap (where to get it)
- 6 cups of water
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (where to get it)
- 12 drops of geranium essential oil (where to get it)
- Cheese grater (where to get it)
- Large bowl (where to get it)
- Large stainless steel pot (where to get it)
- Squeeze bottles (where to get it)
Feel free to substitute the coconut oil with any oil that suits your skin type such as jojoba oil, olive oil, or almond oil.
Some other essential oils to try besides geranium are tea tree oil (antibacterial), lavender oil (soothing), peppermint oil (refreshing), or sweet orange oil (citrusy).
Directions:
- Begin by grating the soap using a cheese grater into a large bowl.
- In the large stainless steel pot, bring the cups of water to a simmer.
- Add the grated soap and coconut oil to the simmering water and mix using a wooden spoon.
- While the soap is melting, stir it occasionally but not too much because you don’t want to create too many bubbles. It will take about 7-10 minutes.
- Once melted, remove from heat and let it sit for two hours to completely cool down.
- When the time is up, stir the melted soap once then transfer it into squeezable container using a funnel.
3. DIY Cheery Morning Body Wash
This recipe from Simply Earth uses their soap base instead of castile soap.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz natural soap base
- 20 drops lemon essential Oil
- 15 drops ylang ylang Essential Oil
Directions:
- Add essential oils to the soap base.
- Shake the mixture for 2 minutes to totally mix the oils with the soap base. The soap base will thicken once the oils are mixed.
- To use, wet body, lather soap, wash body, and rinse.
*Note: This recipe calls for a 3% dilution of essential oils. If you have sensitive skin, a 0.5% dilution is recommended.
4. DIY Lavender Love Shower Gel Recipe
Instead of making a liquid body wash try making this shower gel by Simply Earth.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
- 1 tsp body wash base
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 12 drops lavender essential Oil
- 2 drops peru balsam essential Oil
Directions:
- In a small bowl, thoroughly mix vegetable glycerin and xanthan gum until the xanthan gum is totally dissolved and there are no clumps.
- In a separate, small bowl, stir together the body wash base and essential oils. Avoid creating foam while stirring.
- Mix the glycerin mixture and essential oil/body wash mixture until fully combined (tip: a stick blender works well with this step).
- While stirring, add water.
- If using a water-based preservative, stir that into the mixture.
- Store mixture in a sealable container. To use, place a small amount on a dishcloth and wash your body.
Less Toxic Body Washes Without Castile Soap
Search EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic website for your favorite body wash to see if it is toxic free or search for one you want to try.
Top Body Wash FAQ’s
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making body wash without castile soap.
What Is Castile Soap Anyway?
First off, let’s look at castile soap and why it is used in so many DIY body wash recipes.
According to PureWow, Castile soap is unique in that it’s both gentle and strong; it’s gentle on skin because it’s made from saponified oils that have hydrating properties, but it’s an equally
powerful cleanser that can tackle even the most stubborn grime.
What Else Is Castile Soap Used For?
Diluted castile soap solutions can be used in the garden to help get rid of mites or aphids.
You can also use a small dish of apple cider vinegar and castile soap solution to help rid your kitchen of fruit flies.
Are Handmade Bodywashes Worth It?
Yes. Making your own body wash ensures you know what is in it so you can avoid toxins that irritate your skin. Plus, you can customize the ingredients and try different recipes according to your skin needs.
How Do You Thicken Homemade Body Wash?
To thicken homemade body wash you can use Xanthum gum. It is an all-natural thickener, and a little xanthum gum goes a long way.
Xanthum gum is used in a range of .1 to 1% of the overall mixture.
Start with only 1/2 tsp of xanthum gum, and add it to 1/4 cup of room temperature distilled water.
What Is A Substitute For Castile Soap?
You may use goat’s milk soap, coconut soap, and marseille soap instead of castile soap.
How Do You Make Your Body Wash Smell Good?
Most recipes call for the use of essential oils or fragrance oils to scent the wash.
What Is The Difference Between Essential Oils And Fragrance Oils?
Essential oils are pure oils extracted for therapeutic benefits.
Fragrance oils are created for the purpose of scent and most are safe for use on skin.
If your skin feels itchy after using a fragrance oil, then use a pure essential oil instead.
Will You Make Any Of These Recipes?
Let me know in the comments.
