Afternoon beauty fix: When soapy scents don’t make sense for your skin

I’m trying to live as “green” as possible, which includes ditching my usual shower products for more eco-friendly options. Is there a body wash that is natural and will moisturize my dry skin through the winter? Soap to cleanse your body needs only to be simple—those scented like “strawberries and cream” or “chocolate soufflé” are unlikely to be natural, thereby reducing how good they actually are for your skin. One of the oldest forms of soap, called Castile soap, dates to the early 17th century when soap-makers wanted a “clean” soap made from vegetable oil instead of animal fats or synthetics. Impurities were boiled out in huge vats of water and only the good ingredients were bottled as a cleanser. Castile soaps are still widely available, and they’re still very effective and very gentle on sensitive skin. We like Kiss My Face Castile soap ($15, kissmyface.com) made with coconut, olive, and hemp-seed oil because it’s crystal clear and keeps skin smooth without adding anything unnecessary.

In need of an afternoon beauty pick-me-up? Email us at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.