Used for several millennia, Aleppo soap is known for its multiple benefits. Three ingredients and water are the unique constituents of this 100% natural soap. How to use it and what are its properties?

Its origins date back to antiquity, some 3500 years ago, when it was first made in Syria, in the city of the same name. Aleppo soap is considered to be the oldest soap in the world and is therefore the distant ancestor of our Marseille soap which dates from the XNUMXth century only.

But it was not until the XNUMXth century that Aleppo soap crossed the Mediterranean during the Crusades, to land in Europe.

This small cube of soap is made from olive oil, bay bay oil, natural soda and water. It is the laurel that gives Aleppo soap its characteristic odor. Like Marseille soap, it comes from hot saponification.

The hot saponification – also called cauldron saponification – of Aleppo soap takes place in six stages:

• water, soda and olive oil are first heated slowly, at a temperature ranging from 80 to 100 ° in a large traditional copper cauldron and for many hours;
• at the end of saponification, the filtered bay oil is in turn added. Its amount can vary from 10 to 70%. The higher this percentage, the more active but also expensive the soap;
• the soap paste should then be rinsed and rid of the soda used for saponification. It is therefore washed in salt water;
• the soap paste is rolled out and smoothed, then left to harden for several hours;
• once solidified, the soap block is cut into small cubes;
• the last stage is the drying (or refining), which should last at least 6 months but which can go up to 3 years.

Aleppo soap is one of the surgras soaps, because bay oil is added to it at the end of the saponification process.

It is therefore particularly suitable for dry skin. But depending on its laurel oil content, it lends itself readily to all skin types.

Olive oil is known for its nourishing and softening properties, and that of laurel for its purifying, antiseptic and soothing actions. Aleppo soap is particularly recommended for acne problems, to relieve psoriasis, to limit dandruff or milk crusts or to overcome dermatitis.

On the face

Aleppo soap can be used as a mild soap, for daily use, on the body and / or on the face.It makes an excellent purifying mask for the face: it can then be applied in a thick layer and then left on for a few minutes before being thoroughly rinsed with lukewarm water. It is important to hydrate well after this mask.

In addition, it is an effective treatment against many skin problems: psoriasis, eczema, acne, etc.

On the hair

It is a very effective anti-dandruff shampoo, which can be used once or twice a week for good results.

For men

Aleppo soap can be used as a shaving treatment for men. It softens the hair before shaving and protects the skin from irritation. Goodbye to the dreaded “razor burn” of men.

For the House

Finally, Aleppo soap, placed in clothes closets, is an excellent moth repellent.

While Aleppo soap is suitable for all skin types, it should be chosen wisely based on its laurel oil content.

• Dry and / or sensitive skin will preferably choose an Aleppo soap which contains between 5 and 20% bay laurel oil.
• Combination skins can opt for rates ranging from 20 to 30% bay laurel oil.
• Finally, oily skin will have an interest in favoring soaps with a higher dosage of bay laurel oil: ideally 30-60%.

Aleppo soap is a victim of its success, and unfortunately suffers from frequent counterfeiting. It happens in particular that ingredients are added to its ancestral recipe, such as perfumes, glycerin or animal fats.

An authentic Aleppo soap should contain no other ingredients than olive oil, bay laurel oil, soda and water. It should be beige to brown on the outside and green on the inside. Most Aleppo soaps carry a seal of the soap maker.

Finally, all Aleppo soaps that contain less than 50% bay laurel oil float on the surface of the water, unlike most other soaps.