What Is Aleppo Soap: Benefits, History and Uses For Hair & Body

Two Aleppo soaps with decorations

WHAT IS ALEPPO SOAP?


Aleppo soap (or Savon d’Alep, if you’re French) is, of course, soap: the stuff you wash with. It’s a hard soap made from olive oil and lye, like Castile soap from Spain.


But Aleppo soap profits from being made with an extra-special ingredient that takes it to another level: oil of bay laurel. This precious oil, derived from laurel trees (like bay leaves), acts as a gentle cleanser and is well-tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.

WHAT ARE THE Aleppo Soap BENEFITS?


Aleppo soap is a product loved for its naturally nourishing qualities and is known worldwide as among the best bar soap for sensitive skin. Authentically made in Aleppo, Syria, it dates back to the 8th century A.D. 


The soap traditionally comes in hard blocks made from olive oil and lye, but the ingredient that sets it apart is bay laurel oil. 


Apart from being one of the most all-natural products available in the world today, Aleppo soap is versatile and can be used on the face, body and hair, and shaving - yes even you ladies.


LAUREL OIL SOAP INGREDIENTS:


This soap doesn't have a lot of ingredients, but they all-natural Olive oil, laurel berry oil, sodium hydroxide and water.

Always check the product ingredients of the Aleppo soap you are buying: if you see anything other than these four ingredients, it isn't the real thing.

FUN FACT:

How can you tell if your Aleppo soap is genuine? It will float :)

Aleppo Soap History: WHERE DOES It COME FROM?


So what are the origins of Aleppo Soap? To answer this question, we’d like to take you back in time; go on, indulge us.


As its name suggests, this unique soap originates from the ancient city of Aleppo, the main city in Syria’s Levant region. Historically, Aleppo was a central trade hub, thanks to its location at one end of the famous Silk Road.


Aleppo is said to be among the earliest soap producers. Myths abound that Queen Cleopatra of Egypt was an Aleppo soap fan before the first century AD, and these soaps were first introduced to Europe by the Crusaders in the 11th Century A.D.


Queen Zenobia of Syria was also a raving fan, probably leaving untold pictures of this natural soap on her Facebook page.


Whatever the truth, we know that Aleppo soap has been around for centuries and is still loved today for its remarkable benefits.

Castle in Aleppo, Syria

HOW IS ALEPPO SOAP MADE?


Aleppo Soap is made by turning oils into soap is a manufacturing process that requires expert craftsmanship – a quality that Aleppo’s legendary soap-makers have in abundance. 


These veritable wizards boil olive oil, lye and water in a large vat for three days, which creates a thick soap-like substance; known as the saponification process. They then add laurel berry oil – the key to Aleppo soap’s powers.


The soap-making magicians then pour the mixture from the vat onto a vast sheet of wax paper to cool and harden. At this stage, it’s a vibrant emerald-green colour. 


After some time, the wizard's apprentice soap makers hand-cut the soap into individual blocks using a special rake. The Grand High Wizard’s name is stamped onto the cubes, so you know who to worship when you have a bath. True story.

Aleppo soap bars cut open to show the vibrant green colour inside.

HOW LONG DOES ALEPPO SOAP LAST?


These artisans then stack the soap cubes in such a way that allows maximum air exposure; they leave them to age like this for seven months. 


During this drying process, which is critical to the quality of the soaps, the outsides of the cubes turn golden brown, while the insides stay deep green. If you’ve ever sliced your Aleppo soap in two, you’ll know how gorgeous that colour combo looks!


As you can see, the soap-making process can take a long time, and when finished, these soaps are very dense and extremely long-lasting, which is Great value for money.


These soaps can be kept for years, too; they often look better as they age and turn a richer colour. They will dry out slightly over time, but they remain perfect to use, and their skincare properties won't diminish.

Aleppo soap bar on a soft white towel

WHAT ARE THE ALEPPO SOAP benefits for the skin? WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?


Natural beauty fans have been saluting the quality of Aleppo Soap for years. “Soap is just soap!” I hear you cry. But we say, non: Aleppo soap is in a class of its own.


Traditional Aleppo soap contains no unnatural gunk, chemicals or animal fats. It typically has a laurel oil content of 2-20%


This fabulous laurel soap is also biodegradable and therefore on point with its eco values pushes up glasses.



What is the smell of Aleppo Soap?


A characteristically rich earthy fragrance that makes it a pleasure to use.



CAN I USE ALEPPO SOAP FOR MY HAIR?


Aleppo soap is the original 'all-in-one' product and is perfect for all skin types, including skin prone to dermatitis and other itchy, inflammatory skin conditions. It can be used to wash the face, body and hair, and lathers well to create a natural shaving cream.


Aleppo soap is perfect for all the family; so gentle, this soap is suitable for your baby's skin.


Here are just some of the many skincare benefits of Aleppo soaps:


  • Cleanses and purifies without stripping the skin’s natural essential oils, leaving your hair in great condition.

  • The olive oil hydrates, moisturises and nourishes dry, flaky skin.

  • Oil of bay laurel can help manage skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and acne.

  • Together, the properties of olive oil and bay laurel oil help calm redness, irritation and inflammation.

  • Has Antiseptic, Antibacterial and antifungal properties

  • Dermatologists often recommend that this soap benefits the most sensitive or baby skin


TL;DR: Due to its olive oil and laurel oil , traditional Aleppo soap is natural, gentle, moisturising and the Best Bar for sensitive skin!

Aleppo soap with wooden comb

ET VOUS?


Have you ever tried Aleppo soap? Perhaps for a skin condition like Psoriasis or Eczema? Got any thoughts on these unique, natural blocks? Drop us a comment below! 

HERE ARE THE WONDERFUL ALEPPO SOAPS ON OUR WEBSITE...


3 comments


  • Jan Osinsk

    Where can I get some? I’ve been looking for ages…


  • Gillian

    It looks awsome!! With such a history and amazing properties, who wouldn’t want some!


  • Gillian

    It looks awsome!! With such a history and amazing properties, who wouldn’t want some!


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