Review: Is Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Soap A Minimalist’s Dream Come True?

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is a cult favourite among minimal beauty enthusiasts. In fact, you can consider this bestseller as one of the “OGs” even before the “less is more” movement rose to prominence in the last few years. Most of the 11 ingredients in this cruelty-free product are organic or fair trade-certified. Plus, it’s a truly multi-functional marvel, with fans of the brand citing at least 18 different uses for it! Read on for my thoughts after giving their Lavender Castile Liquid Soap a go. 

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Lavender Pure-Castile Liquid Soap.

As its name suggests, the 18-in-1 Lavender Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is so much more than just a regular drugstore body wash product. It’s designed to be safe yet effective enough to meet a plethora of “cleansing” needs — from washing your laundry, body and hair to removing your makeup and aiding in shaving your underarms.

Ingredient-wise, the product contains organic coconut oil, which has antimicrobial and moisturising properties, as well as organic olive oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also free of synthetic preservatives, detergents and foaming agents. Curious to know what "castile soap" means? Well, it's a natural, nontoxic vegetable-based soap that's free of animal fats.  

Did I fall in love with this lavender-scented soap at first whiff? Not quite, as I personally prefer other types of scents, such as bergamot or rose. That said, lavender is known for its calming and stress-relieving effects, hence I was more than happy to incorporate this into my daily routine. The product’s lilac-coloured label is pretty eye-catching too and I appreciated how it’s packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle.

When in doubt, dilute. A little goes a long way when it comes to this product.

The amount of product that you should apply varies quite differently depending on how you intend to use it, so make a mental note to start with a smaller amount to prevent wastage. I made the rookie mistake of treating it as a regular body wash by applying one too many drops of the soap onto my washcloth. This caused my skin to feel significantly “tight” and dry. I’ve known since then to dilute the product with water and allow it to lather before I apply it onto any part of my skin — such as my face or my underarms. 

I’ve also used this as a makeup brush cleanser and it was incredibly satisfying to witness the makeup residue being thoroughly removed from my brushes. It’s also done a mighty fine job in keeping my laundry and delicates clean and fresh-smelling all day. The brand also encourages its users to create their own cleansing “concoctions” with this product by mixing it with essential oils and natural ingredients such that it best suits their skin types and needs. I’ve yet to try it but it’s at the top of my to-do list. 

Looking to go minimal? Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Lavender Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is a good place to start.

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap made me think seriously about the number of products I truly needed in my life. After incorporating this product into my routine for almost two weeks now, I can see how I could live with much less if I wanted to.

In the bathroom, it serves as a natural top-to-toe cleansing companion for your body and even your appliances. As an all-purpose cleaning agent, it also leaves your laundry and kitchen grime-free and smelling pleasant. 

If its formula and scent gels well with you, you won’t need to stock up on a dozen different household and beauty products. Instead, opt for this as your one-stop solution and you’re all set. As the cherry on top, the product’s ingredients are also kinder on the environment. All in all, it’s a minimalist beauty enthusiast’s dream in a bottle. Interested to try it out for yourself? Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Lavender Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is available in Singapore at ~USD10.99 for 237ML and you can find it at Watsons here.