Can Dr Jacobs Naturals All in 1 Soap Replace Shampoo, Body Wash and Shaving Cream?

We tested Dr Jacobs Naturals 13 in 1 Soap for a month to see if this shea butter body wash can truly replace your shampoo, body wash, and shaving cream.

Updated 7 Sep 2026 3 min read 6 sections

An all in 1 castile soap such as Dr Jacobs Naturals can replace your body wash easily, can stand in for shaving cream, and can work as a shampoo for some people, but not everyone likes how it leaves their hair. Body washing is its strongest use. Shampoo is the one to try carefully, because castile soap behaves differently from the detergents in regular shampoo. Below we go through each use, who a one bottle routine suits, and which scent to pick, including the shea butter body wash version.

What an all in 1 castile soap is

Unscented castile soap$17.95Image from the merchant

Castile soap is true soap made from plant oils rather than synthetic detergents. It is sold concentrated, and brands market it for many jobs: body, hair, face, shaving, and household cleaning. Dr Jacobs Naturals sells several scents, including the all in 1 unscented castile soap, the all in 1 peppermint castile soap and the all in 1 eucalyptus soap, plus a castile soap with shea butter. Check each product page for the uses the brand lists and the full ingredient list.

Can you use it as a shampoo?

You can, with some caveats. Castile soap is alkaline, while most shampoos are formulated closer to the scalp’s natural acidity. Some people find castile soap leaves their hair feeling rough or waxy, especially in hard water. Others are happy with it.

If you want to try it:

Dilute it with water before it touches your hair, so it spreads evenly and rinses out fully.
Rinse thoroughly, longer than you would with a regular shampoo.
Follow with an acidic rinse, such as diluted apple cider vinegar, which many castile soap users rely on to smooth the hair.
Give it a fair trial, but go back to your usual shampoo if your hair still feels coated.

If you color treat your hair, be cautious, since alkaline soap may fade some dyes faster. If you have psoriasis, dandruff or another scalp condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you switch products.

How it works as a body wash

This is the easiest swap. Diluted castile soap cleans skin well and rinses off cleanly. For dry skin, the shea butter body wash version is the one we would start with, since shea butter is a long used moisturizing ingredient. Follow with a moisturizer if your skin still feels tight.

Sandalwood body wash$21.95Image from the merchant

For scent, the sandalwood castile soap is warm and woody, the peppermint castile soap gives a cooling tingle, and the eucalyptus is fresh and herbal. For sensitive skin, unscented is the safest place to start, because essential oils can irritate reactive skin.

Does it work as a shaving cream?

It can. Castile soap makes a thinner, slicker lather than canned shaving cream, which some people like because they can see where they are shaving. To get the most glide:

Wet your skin with warm water first.
Work a small amount of soap into a lather with your hands or a wet brush.
Shave with a sharp blade and rinse it often.
Rinse your skin with cool water and moisturize.

Skip peppermint and eucalyptus for shaving if your skin is sensitive, since those oils can sting freshly shaved skin. Unscented or shea butter are gentler choices.

One bottle vs separate products

What matters to you	All in 1 castile soap	Separate products
A simpler shelf	One bottle for several jobs	Several bottles
Hair feel	Varies; some need an acidic rinse	Made for hair
Shaving lather	Thinner and slicker	Thick cream or gel
Ingredients	Plant oil soap, fewer synthetic cleansers	Varies by product
Prep	Usually diluted first	Ready to use

Castile soap laundry powder$47.85Image from the merchant

Castile soap also has uses beyond the bathroom. For clothes, Dr Jacobs Naturals sells a castile soap laundry sampler; read the directions on the laundry castile soap page for your machine type.

Which Dr Jacobs Naturals soap to choose

Dry skin: castile soap with shea butter
Sensitive skin or shaving: all in 1 unscented
A cooling morning wash: all in 1 peppermint
Exfoliating bar: muddy charcoal exfoliating bar, for body rather than hair
Skin conditions: the brand sells a castile soap for eczema and psoriasis; ask your doctor before using it

To compare with other shea based washes, SheaMoisture’s body wash collection and Dove’s Pamper Shea Body Wash are mainstream points of comparison, and this guide on shea butter body wash covers the ingredient. Before you order, see the current Dr Jacobs Naturals discount code.

Questions

Can a castile shea butter body wash be used on color treated hair?

Be cautious. Castile soap is alkaline and may fade some hair dyes faster. If you try it, dilute it, rinse well and watch your color.

Is the shea butter version good for sensitive skin?

It is a reasonable place to start for dry skin. For very sensitive skin, the unscented version avoids essential oils. Patch test any new soap first.

How long does one bottle last if I use it for everything?

It depends on how much you dilute it and how many jobs it covers. Using one bottle for hair, body and shaving will empty it faster than body washing alone.

Does the peppermint version sting?

Peppermint oil gives a cooling tingle. It can sting broken or freshly shaved skin, so use unscented or shea butter for shaving.

Can I use this soap for laundry too?

Castile soap is often used for household cleaning. For laundry, Dr Jacobs Naturals sells a separate laundry product with its own directions.