Let me tell you about my latest obsession: Aleppo soap. This isn’t just soap—it’s a little piece of history, straight from the ancient city of Aleppo, Syria. For over a thousand years, artisans have blended olive oil and laurel berry oil to create a bar that’s gentle, eco-friendly, and pure magic for your skin.
I’m absolutely smitten with its creamy lather and the way it makes me feel connected to something timeless.
Ready to fall in love too? Let’s dive into why this soap is so special, how it’s made, and how you can make it a part of your everyday life.
A Glimpse into Aleppo Soap’s Soul
Born in a City of Stories
Picture Aleppo centuries ago—a lively hub where Silk Road traders swapped treasures from across the world.
Around the 8th century, local soap makers perfected a genius recipe: tough on dirt, tender on skin. Families guarded this knowledge like gold, passing it down through generations.
The soap became so beloved, it traveled all the way to Europe, inspiring classics like Castile soap. From kings to villagers, everyone swooned over its gentle magic.
Read more: 10 Essential Lye Safety Tips for Beginners
What Makes This Soap a Star?
Simple, Honest, Beautiful
Hold a bar of Aleppo soap, and you’re holding tradition.
Freshly made, it’s a warm, golden treasure. After months of curing, the outside turns a cozy brown, but inside—a bright green heart still beats. Some bars even carry the maker’s stamp or the laurel oil percentage—how charming is that?
Unlike commercial soaps packed with weird chemicals, Aleppo soap keeps it real:
Olive oil
Laurel berry oil
Water
Natural lye (which fades away during the curing)
It’s 100% biodegradable, gentle on sensitive skin, and kind to Mother Earth.
Read more: 5 Ways to Add Lasting Scent to Glycerin Soap (2025)
Why I’m Head Over Heels
Skin Whisperer: Soothes sensitive skin, eczema, and irritation like a dream.
Eco Hero: No waste, no harsh chemicals, no guilt.
Forever Friend: Lasts for ages if you keep it dry.
The Art of Making Aleppo Soap
Crafting Aleppo soap is like baking a treasured family recipe—slow, soulful, and full of love.
The Steps:
- Warm the Heart: Olive oil is heated gently in massive copper pots.
- Mix with Care: Water and natural lye (made from desert plants) are blended in.
- Slow Simmer: The mixture cooks for days, stirred with long wooden paddles.
- Add the Magic: Laurel berry oil is added at the end—this is the soul of the soap.
- Shape and Rest: The soap is poured, cut into blocks, stamped, and stacked to cure for 6–9 months.
The result? A soap that’s hard, mild, beautifully two-toned, and deeply nourishing.
How Aleppo Soap Stacks Up
| What’s the Deal? | Homemade Aleppo Soap | Store-Bought Soap | Fancy Natural Soap |
| Ingredients | Olive oil, laurel oil, water, lye | Fake detergents, perfumes | Plant oils, sometimes laurel |
| Time to Craft | 6–9 months (patience = perfection) | A few hours (mass production) | Weeks to months |
| Skin Love | Deep cleans, hydrates, protects | Often dries or irritates | Gentler but varies |
| Planet Points | 100% biodegradable, eco-friendly | Often pollutes | Better but not always pure |
| Price Tag | $8–$25 for authentic bars | $1–$3 per bar | $4–$15 per bar |
| Lifespan | Gets better with time, lasts years | 2–3 years | 1–2 years |
| Perfect For | Sensitive skin, eco-lovers, history nerds | Scent chasers | Natural living fans |
Why Your Skin Will Thank You
Gentle Cleansing: Removes dirt without stripping natural oils.
Moisture Magic: Olive oil nourishes and hydrates.
Calming Touch: Laurel oil soothes redness, itchiness, and flare-ups.
Germ Fighter: Helps combat acne, eczema, and even psoriasis.
One Soap to Rule Them All: Face, body, hair, shaving—you name it!
Read more: “Vegan Palm & Coconut Oil-Free Master Soap”
Fun Ways I Use My Aleppo Soap
- Shower Bliss: Rich, creamy lather = instant happy vibes.
- Face Treat: Gentle daily cleanser.
- Hair Helper: Especially for sensitive scalps.
- Shaving Buddy: Smooth, protective foam.
- Skin Soother: Calms eczema and psoriasis.
- Baby Love: Safe for tiny, delicate skin.
- Home Trick: Even gentle enough for dishes and delicates!
How to Use It Like a Pro
- Wet your skin or hands with warm water.
- Rub the bar gently to build up a lather (or glide it directly over skin).
- Massage the silky bubbles into your skin.
- Rinse clean.
- Pop it onto a draining soap dish to keep it dry and happy.
(Pro Tip: The drier it stays, the longer it lasts!)
Read more: Know where to find the best soap-making store and supplies
Make Your Own Aleppo-Style Soap at Home
Feeling crafty? You can make a simpler, homemade version that still feels absolutely luxurious.
You’ll Need:
- 500g extra virgin olive oil
- 50g laurel berry oil
- 65g sodium hydroxide (lye—handle with care!)
- 170g distilled water
- Optional: Dried herbs for extra flair
Tools:
- Stainless steel pot
- Digital scale
- Thermometer
- Silicone molds
- Stick blender
- Gloves, goggles, long sleeves
- Old towels for wrapping
Steps:
- Stay Safe: Gear up and work in a well-ventilated spot. Always add lye to water (never water to lye).
- Mix Lye: Stir lye into distilled water until it clears. Cool to 100–110°F.
- Warm Oils: Heat olive oil, then add laurel oil.
- Blend Away: Combine lye solution and oils, blending until it reaches “trace” (thick like pudding).
- Mold It: Pour into molds, wrap up, and let it set for 24–48 hours.
- Cure It: Unmold and cure bars in a dry, airy space for 4–6 weeks.
How to Choose Your Perfect Bar
- High Laurel (20–40%): Best for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin.
- Low Laurel (5–15%): Great for normal to oily skin.
Finding the Real Deal:
A brief list of ingredients (water, lye, olive oil, and laurel oil)
Hard bar with a green interior and a brown exterior
mild, bay leaf-like aroma
No overbearing chemicals or fragrances
Read more: 10 Easy Natural Oil Soap Recipes
Why This Soap Stole My Heart
In a world overflowing with fancy serums and pricey potions, homemade Aleppo soap feels like a breath of fresh, honest air. It’s simple. It’s powerful. It works. Whether you want to go greener, soothe tricky skin, or just connect with a little piece of history, this humble bar has your back.
Grab a bar or make your own—and see why this ancient treasure is still the best thing you could do for your skin and the planet.
Read more: Coconut vs Olive Oil in Soap Making (2025)
Conclusion
Aleppo soap is a centuries-old natural treasure made with olive and laurel oils. It gently yet effectively treats all skin concerns including dryness, eczema, and acne. Free from harsh chemicals, this eco-friendly soap is long-lasting. If you want a simple yet premium natural soap, Aleppo soap is a must-try!
Read more: “10 Must-Try Glycerin Soaps for 2025”
FAQs
1. How long does a bar last?
Months and months, especially if kept dry! It actually gets better with age.
2. Can I use it on my face?
Absolutely. It’s gentle enough for daily face washing—even for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
3. Is it good for dry, itchy skin?
Oh yes. Higher laurel content bars (20% or more) work wonders on dry, flaky, or irritated skin.
4. How do I know it’s authentic?
Look for a hard, brown-outside/green-inside bar with a soft laurel scent. Short ingredient list = real deal!
Good work