The original olive oil soap, or castile soap, is thought to have been created in Castile Castle in 1567. Olive oil soap can be made from 100% olive oil or from a mix of oils to create a different lather. While other soaps cure for only a few weeks, Olive oil soap is typically cured for six to nine months. Olive oil is a suitable ingredient for soap because of its moisturizing and nourishing properties – when applied to skin it provides vitamins (Vitamins A and E among them) and fatty acids, which leave skin feeling smooth and supple. Specifically, olive oil contains around 80% oleic fatty acid, which makes the lather more moisturizing and is also thought to help combat signs of aging. Other non-animal based oils you can make soap with include apricot kernel oil, almond oil, coconut oil and avocado oil.
