Why Our Hand & Body Wash Isn’t Always Thick — and Why That’s a Good Thing

Why Our Hand & Body Wash Isn’t Always Thick — and Why That’s a Good Thing

Understanding Natural Viscosity in Castile Soap

If you’ve ever noticed a difference in texture between bottles of our Hand & Body Wash — you’re not imagining it. Some are a little thicker, some a little thinner. And while that might feel unexpected if you’re used to conventional body washes, there’s a good reason behind it.

At Washpool, we craft true liquid castile soap — made the traditional way with nourishing plant oils, natural glycerine, and pure essential oils. No synthetic thickeners. No detergents. Just gentle, skin-loving cleansing from ingredients you can trust.

But natural ingredients come with natural variation. Here’s what that means for you.

 

Why Some Batches Feel Thicker (or Thinner) Than Others

1. Essential Oils Play a Big Role

Every essential oil interacts differently with our soap base. Some, like lemongrass, lime and lemon myrtle, naturally thicken the formula. Others, like pink grapefruit, fennel, or geranium, tend to thin it slightly. This is due to the unique chemistry of each oil — and even small differences between harvests can subtly shift the viscosity from batch to batch.

2. A Sustainable Shift in Oils

For many years, we used olive oil as the primary base in our liquid soap. But a global olive oil shortage over the past 18 months led us to incorporate locally grown High Oleic Safflower Oil. While this oil is incredibly gentle and has a similar fatty acid profile to olive oil, it tends to create a lighter-textured soap. The skin benefits remain the same — but the feel in your hand might be slightly different.

3. No Fillers, No Gels, No Nasties

We don’t bulk out our formula with synthetic thickeners, gums, or detergents just to achieve a uniform texture. Many commercial body washes use these ingredients to create a rich, creamy lather — but at the expense of skin health. Our philosophy is different: nourish the skin first, and trust nature’s gentle variations.

 

What Sets Our Formula Apart

Some brands fully embrace the watery nature of castile soap and package it in flip-top bottles to suit. Others reduce dilution to create a thick, concentrated formula that may be too harsh for sensitive skin.

At Washpool, we aim for the sweet spot: a wash that’s mild, naturally effective, and pumpable — without compromise.

(That said, we know some people prefer an alternative to pumps — so we’ll soon be releasing our 250ml size in a convenient flip-top cap.)

No matter the packaging, every batch of our Hand & Body Wash contains:

• Saponified plant oils (not synthetic surfactants)
• Vegetable glycerine to support moisture balance
• Pure essential oils for scent and skin benefits
• No synthetic thickeners or artificial additives

 

Tip: Prefer a Richer Feel?

If you love that creamy, weighty texture in the hand, our handmade bar soap might be your perfect match. Crafted with the same attention to natural ingredients, our bar soaps offer a luxurious, nourishing cleanse with a satisfying feel.

(And if you’re not sure which one suits you best, stay tuned — we’ll be sharing a full breakdown of bar vs liquid soap soon.)

 

Thanks for Embracing the Beauty of Natural Skincare

We’re always here to answer your questions and guide you toward the best product for your skin and preferences. Your feedback helps us grow — and your trust means everything to us.

Explore our Hand & Body Wash range →