Natural facial cleanser: castile soap

Once upon a time, I used to wash my face with cleansers containing cocamidopropyl betaine and glycol distearate. Of course, I can barely pronounce these chemical names that supposedly zap zits and give you that fresh face look in the morning. But then the unthinkable happened to me.

I used ProActiv. I never had bad acne, but, in the summer, my skin fell victim to hair product sweat and created mountains on my face. So when I saw those celebrity-endorsed ads, I just had to have it. I used the so-called acne miracle medication and, instead of clear skin, I got an infection. My face burned like a million little volcanoes erupted on my face. To get the chemical-ridden stuff off my face, I had to use something natural.

I found Dr. Bronner's castile soap (~$13.99 at your local pharmacy; I bought a bottle for $4 bucks once at a farmers market). It's literally all natural. The ingredients: water; organic coconut, olive, hemp, and jojoba oils; natural rose fragrance (they come in different flavors), and vitamin E. And I know how to pronounce all those words! 


Well, long story short: my skin cleared up, and I wash my face with the castile soap every morning, and sometimes I wash my hair with it; it's so versatile!) Also, you still get that pleasant sting like you feel like it's doing its job. It's definitely a must-have  natural beauty product.