I have been mixing this solution for my hubby for years to counter his back acne issue. Acne on the back is prevalent among men, especially in Singapore where the weather is hot and humid. Hubby’s problem is all gone. For many years since his teens, he searched supermarket racks for a magic potion to tackle his back acne. Now, he simply goes after me for his favourite concoction when it runs out.
Our formula is very simple – Castile soup and Tea Tree Essential Oil.
What is Castile Soap?
Traditionally, castile soap is made of just two ingredients, plant ash and pure olive oil. Today’s castile soap contains almost only olive oil. According to Livestrong.com, castile soap is one of the mildest cleansers available and is recommended for people with sensitive skin and allergies to other common soap ingredients.
Hubby has been using Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap since I introduced it to him many years ago, and he loves it. According to their website, they use only the purest organic and Fair Trade ingredients. There is also no synthetic preservatives, no detergents or foaming agents. While the brand carries several types scent such as peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender, Hubby prefers the tea tree scented one* and I would add on our tea tree essential oil to increase the effectiveness of the solution against his back acne.
See Dr Axe’s 13 uses for castile soap.
I have issues with using the tea tree castile soap as it stings my sensitive skin. So Hubby was the only one who enjoyed the benefits of the castile soap and the tea tree oil for many years.
Blending the Soap with Tea Tree Essential Oil
These days, I am back to using castile soap for my shower. I discovered that Dr Bronner’s Baby Scented Castile Soap does not sting my sensitive skin! I was so happy. By adding in our own essential oil, we can adjust the strength of the soap according to how our body reacts to it.
Tea Tree, or otherwise known as Melaleuca essential oil is best known for its purifying properties. It can be used to cleanse and purify the skin to support a healthy complexion. I am sure you have seen lots of over-the-counter facial care products using tea tree oil to ward off acne.
There are many other uses for tea tree oil too. I apply it on mosquito bites and blend it with other essential oils such as lavender and frankincense to treat perioral dermatitis (or plainly itchy scaly skin) around my nose as well as my daughter’s eczema.
My Formula
Use a 500ml glass bottle to fill up half of the bottle with baby unscented castile soap*.
Fill the remaining half with tap water. The soap is very concentrated.
Drizzle 20 drops of tea tree essential oil into the bottle. You can add more drops to increase the potency if the solution does not sting your skin.
Avoid using plastic bottles to store your solution. Some essential oils are so potent that they can dissolve the plastic bottles used to contain them.
My skin feels squeaky clean after my shower, and yet it does not feel dried out nor itchy.
Monetary wise, castile soap does not cost much more than a 1-litre bottle of tea-tree soap on a supermarket rack provided that you dilute them 1:1 with water. Yet you enjoy the benefits of an all-natural soap that effectively resolves your skin issues.
Click on the following links to get your supplies:-
tea tree scented castile soap*
doTERRA Essential Oil.
I am a doTERRA essential oil user. doTERRA oil is Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, meaning that there are no added fillers, synthetic ingredients, or harmful contaminants in their essential oils that would reduce their efficacy. Contact me here if you are keen to try out the oil, or you can just click here to enrol.
Eating the Right Food to Fight Acne
I always believe in healthy eating. Acne is not just caused by dirt and sweat. It is as a result of hormonal changes in the body, often caused by eating the wrong food. Eating a diet full of whole food (meaning no processed food) without too much sugar or refined carbohydrates and more vegetables will help to fight acne.
Finally
I hope sharing our use of castile soap and tea tree oil will help you achieve a clearer complexion.
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Disclaimer: The recipe shared above is merely based on my personal experience. It is not intended to provide or replace medical advice. I shall not take responsibility for the possible health consequences of any person trying out this recipe.
