Originally published September 2023, updated September 2026.
Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that originated in the Castile region of Spain. It is traditionally made using olive oil, is free from animal fats, comes in liquid or bar form, and can be fragrance-free or scented. Castile soap is incredibly versatile for cleaning everything from your body to your laundry and home.
Dr. Bronner’s is often the first Castile soap brand to come to mind. The family business has strong ethical foundations and is famous for its colourful bottles of scented liquid soap. But is it the best choice for Australian shoppers, and how does it compare with Castile soap made in Australia?
Quick answer
The main difference is the ingredients and where the soap is made. Dr. Bronner’s is made in the USA from a blend of oils sourced from several countries, while Biome Castile soap is made in Australia using Australian-grown olive oil.
Biome’s formula is palm oil free, thicker and more concentrated, so you can use less each time and each bottle lasts longer. For Australian shoppers looking for a traditional olive oil Castile soap with fewer transport miles and better long-term value, we believe Biome is the better choice.
Looking for Castile soap in Australia? Biome makes pure Castile soap from Australian-grown olive oil, available as a concentrated liquid Castile soap or solid Castile soap bar.
What is the difference between Biome's Australian Castile Soap and Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap?
| Comparison | Biome Castile soap | Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is made | Australia | USA |
| Primary soap oils | 100% Australian-grown olive oil | A blend including coconut, palm kernel, olive, hemp and jojoba oils |
| Traditional olive oil recipe | Yes | No |
| Palm oil or palm kernel oil | None | Contains palm kernel oil; Dr. Bronner’s bar soap also contains palm oil |
| Consistency | Thicker and more concentrated (lasts longer) | Higher water content and a thinner consistency |
| Packaging | Available in glass, as a solid bar or as a plastic refill | Plastic bottle |
| Distance travelled to Australian shoppers | Made locally in Australia | Made in the USA and imported into Australia |
| Value | Less needed with each use, helping each bottle last longer | Higher water content, so more may be needed for the same use |
Why is our Australian Castile soap better than Dr. Bronner’s?
1. A traditional 100% olive oil recipe
Traditional Castile soap is made from olive oil. Biome Castile soap is made purely with moisturising Australian olive oil and water.
Dr. Bronner’s uses a blend of oils, with coconut oil as the primary ingredient, followed by palm kernel oil and other oils. Coconut oil creates strong cleansing action and lather, but it can be more drying on the skin than olive oil.
2. Australian-made with Australian-grown olive oil
Biome Castile soap is made in Australia using Australian-grown olive oil. This supports local producers and means the finished soap does not need to be shipped to Australia from the USA.
Dr. Bronner’s sources ingredients from several parts of the world, transports them to the USA for production and then ships the finished soap to Australia.
3. Completely palm oil free
Biome Castile soap contains no palm oil or palm-derived ingredients.
Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap contains palm kernel oil, while its solid soap bars contain palm oil. For shoppers who want to avoid palm oil altogether, Biome is the clear choice.
4. More concentrated, longer-lasting and better value
Biome liquid Castile soap is made with less water than Dr. Bronner’s, giving it a thicker, more concentrated consistency.
You can use less each time, helping each bottle last longer. While Dr. Bronner’s may appear competitively priced by bottle size, Biome’s higher concentration makes it better value over time.
5. More packaging choices
Biome liquid Castile soap is available in either a glass bottle or a larger plastic refill bottle, or a solid bar, while Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap is packaged in plastic.
Biome liquid Castile soap
Biome solid Castile soap
Why is Castile soap so useful?
Castile soap is a natural and versatile product with many uses for your skin, hair and home. Traditional olive oil Castile soap is gentle, moisturising, antibacterial and eco-friendly.
Olive oil produces a hard, long-lasting soap bar or a silky liquid soap with a gentle cleansing lather, suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.
You can use Castile soap as a shampoo, face and body wash, hand wash, makeup remover, shaving soap and more. Around the home, it can be used for washing dishes, doing the laundry, mopping floors, all-purpose cleaning, washing windows and cleaning the toilet and even washing your dog.
Need some practical ideas? Discover 18 ways to use pure Castile soap.
Is Australian Castile soap a better choice than Dr. Bronner’s?
For people in Australia, we do feel that Biome’s Castile soaps are a better choice. The standout reason for us is that the soap has far less environmental impact because it is made right here in Australia and supports the local olive oil industry, while reducing the distance the finished product needs to travel.
The ingredients that go into Dr. Bronner’s are sourced from Africa and Asia and shipped to the USA, where the soap is made. The bottles of liquid soap and soap bars are then shipped around the world. We can’t see that there is a compelling enough reason to produce all those carbon emissions when there are perfectly good alternatives made close to home.
Why we believe Biome is the better Castile soap
- ✓Traditional 100% olive oil formula
- ✓Made in Australia with Australian-grown olive oil
- ✓Completely palm oil free
- ✓Gentle, non-drying formula
- ✓Thicker and more concentrated
- ✓Less soap needed with each use
- ✓Longer-lasting and better value over time
- ✓Choice of glass, plastic refill or solid bar
Choose Castile soap made closer to home
Explore Biome’s range of traditional olive oil Castile soaps, Australian-made liquid soaps and versatile soap bars for your body, home and DIY recipes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr. Bronner’s a traditional Castile soap?
Dr. Bronner’s is sold as Castile soap because it is a vegetable oil-based soap without animal fats. However, it is not made using the traditional 100% olive oil formulation. Its liquid soap uses a blend that includes coconut, palm kernel, olive, hemp and jojoba oils.
What is true Castile soap made from?
True or traditional Castile soap is made from olive oil rather than a blend of coconut, palm and other vegetable oils. Biome’s true Castile soap is made in Australia using 100% Australian-grown olive oil as its soap base.
Does Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap contain palm oil?
Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap contains palm kernel oil, while its bar soaps contain palm oil. Biome’s Castile soap contains neither and is completely palm oil free.
Is olive oil Castile soap gentler than coconut oil soap?
Olive oil creates a silky, mild cleansing soap. Coconut oil produces a stronger cleansing action and more lather, but some people find coconut oil-based soap more drying. If gentleness and a simple formulation are priorities, an unscented olive oil Castile soap may be the better choice.
Can Castile soap be used for both personal care and cleaning?
Yes. Depending on the recipe and dilution, Castile soap can be used as a hand and body wash or in many household cleaning recipes. Always follow the directions for your particular product and test homemade mixtures before broader use.
Should I choose liquid Castile soap or a solid bar?
Liquid Castile soap is convenient for hand washing, body care and liquid cleaning recipes. A solid Castile soap bar is a packaging-minimal choice for washing and can also be grated for certain DIY recipes.
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18 ways to use pure Castile soap
Every DIY recipe you need to clean your space naturally
How to make your own liquid soap
