How to Make a Natural Body Wash with Castile Soap and Essential Oils

How to Make a Natural Body Wash with Castile Soap and Essential Oils

How to Make a Natural Body Wash with Castile Soap and Essential Oils

If you're ready to leave behind harsh commercial shower gels and move toward a safer, simpler clean, making your own natural body wash is a smart place to start. Using liquid castile soap as a foundation gives you gentle, plant-based cleansing, and adding essential oils lets you create a customized scent and supportive skin benefits. In this post I’ll share the castile soap benefits for skin, walk you through practical recipes, talk about safety guidelines, and help you craft a body wash you’ll actually enjoy using.

Why Use Castile Soap for a Natural Body Wash?

First, let's talk about what makes castile soap such a great base.

  • Castile soap is usually made entirely from plant oils (like olive, coconut, or hemp) saponified with lye, and without synthetic detergents or harsh chemicals. That aligns closely with what people expect when they look for all natural soap or a clean skincare routine.

  • Among its benefits, castile soap tends to be gentler than many mass-market body washes because it lacks many of the synthetic surfactants, sulfates, or harsh preservatives found in commercial products.

  • Because it is so versatile, castile soap uses go well beyond body wash—yet it still performs effectively when diluted properly.

  • One of the biggest wins is control: by making your own body wash, you dictate exactly what goes into your formula. That means fewer surprises, fewer allergens, and a more transparent regimen.

So long as you follow dilution and safety practices, a DIY castile-based wash can feel gentle, nourishing, and skin-friendly.

Safety First: Things to Know Before You Mix

Before you dive into recipes, here are some safety best practices and considerations:

  1. Use a mild or unscented base
    Start with a plain liquid castile soap (unscented or mild). That gives you a clean slate to add essential oils without confusing or overloading scent. Many tutorials caution that strong essential oils or fragrances may irritate the skin if overdone. 

  2. Patch test
    Even natural ingredients can cause sensitivity. Test your final blend on a small patch of skin (inner arm, behind ear) for 24 hours to check for reactions.

  3. Keep dilution moderate
    Too much undiluted soap or essential oil can lead to skin tightness or dryness. Most recipes mix soap, water (or hydrosol), and a few drops of essential oil rather than flooding the formula with oils. 

  4. Choose skin-safe essential oils
    Some essential oils are milder (lavender, chamomile, sweet orange), while others are stronger or potentially irritating (cinnamon, clove, high percentages of citrus). Use sparingly, especially in leave-on products or blends for sensitive skin. 

  5. Use clean, compatible containers
    Glass or high-grade plastic (HDPE, PET) bottles are safer than weak plastics for storing essential oil blends. Some recipes advise against certain plastics because oils can degrade them over time. 

  6. Label and date your batch
    Homemade body wash won’t contain the strong preservatives of commercial gels. Use within a few months, or consider storing in the fridge in warmer climates.

DIY Recipes for Natural Body Wash

Here are a few tested formulas you can try, depending on your preference for foaming or gel texture.

1. Basic Moisturizing Body Wash

A simple, effective formula commonly shared in natural-living communities:

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup liquid castile soap (unscented or mild) 

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable glycerin

  • 2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil (or another light carrier oil)

  • 10–15 drops essential oil(s) of choice

  • Distilled or filtered water to fill the bottle

Instructions:

  1. Pour castile soap into a clean bottle (preferably one with a pump or foaming top).

  2. Add glycerin and carrier oil.

  3. Add essential oils.

  4. Top off with water, leaving some headspace.

  5. Gently invert or swirl to mix—avoid vigorous shaking to reduce foam.

  6. Shake before each use, since the oils and water may separate.

This blend gives you gentle cleansing with moisturizing support and a custom scent. 

2. Foaming Body Wash Version

If you prefer a lighter, foamy texture (especially for hand or shower use), this formula works well:

Ingredients:

  • 65 g (about half of a 200 g batch) liquid castile soap

  • 135 g purified water

  • 15–20 drops essential oils

Instructions:

  1. Add castile soap and essential oils into a foaming soap bottle.

  2. Add water, leaving some space, then cap and gently swirl or invert to mix.

  3. Pump a small amount and lather over skin, then rinse thoroughly.

Because this is less concentrated, it’s gentler on skin and easier on pumps.

3. Thickened Gel Shower Wash (Optional)

If you prefer a gel consistency, some recipes add salt or thickeners:

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup castile soap

  • Fine salt dissolved in warm water

  • Essential oils

  • A bit of carrier oil or aloe gel

  • Sometimes raw honey for moisture

Method:

  1. Dissolve fine salt in hot water (be careful—salt concentration matters).

  2. Stir the saltwater into castile soap gradually until you hit the gel consistency you like.

  3. Add carrier oil, honey, and essential oils.

  4. Pour into a bottle and test it can still pump. 

Many DIYers note that if you make it too thick, the pump won’t work—so go slowly and test along the way. 

Tips to Maximize Castile Soap Benefits in Your Body Wash

  • Use warm (not hot) water when mixing to help glycerin and oils blend more fully.

  • Avoid over-shaking. Vigorous mixing introduces bubbles that may overflow containers.

  • Refresh your batch every 6–12 weeks (or sooner) to retain potency and avoid spoilage.

  • Pair with a good moisturizer after showering to support your skin barrier.

  • Use softer water if possible—hard water minerals can reduce lather and leave residue.

  • For more scent variation, try rotating essential oil blends based on mood or season.

Essential Oils to Try

The beauty of making your own natural body wash is the freedom to experiment with essential oils that match your mood or skin’s needs. For a calming, spa-like feel, lavender, chamomile, or cedarwood create a warm, soothing aroma that helps you unwind. If you prefer something energizing in the morning, citrus oils like sweet orange, grapefruit, or lemon bring a bright, refreshing lift. Peppermint and eucalyptus add a cooling effect that’s perfect after a workout or a long day, while geranium, tea tree, or frankincense can help balance and support the skin. Start with just a few drops, mix and match to your liking, and you’ll quickly find a blend that turns an everyday shower into a small act of self-care.

 

Bringing It All Together

Making your own natural body wash is a rewarding way to connect with what goes on your skin. Using liquid Castile soap as the base gives you a gentle, biodegradable cleanser that works beautifully with essential oils. Whether you blend your own or prefer something ready to use, look for formulas that keep the same balance of simplicity and purity.

If you’d rather skip the mixing and still enjoy the benefits of essential oils, explore Castile Soap Club’s line of handcrafted blends, each made with pure Castile soap and naturally derived scents. They’re infused with essential oils chosen to uplift, calm, or refresh—offering the same sensory experience of a custom body wash, without the extra steps.

Clean ingredients, soft lather, and a light natural scent can transform an ordinary shower into something restorative. However you use it, Castile soap proves that simplicity really is the heart of effective, natural care.

 

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