Why Use Aleppo Soap?
Aleppo soap (Arabic: صابون غار, ṣābūn ghār; French: Savon d’Alep) is a traditional hard soap associated with the city of Aleppo, Syria, and is widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously produced soaps in the world. Its formula, based primarily on olive oil and laurel (bay) berry oil, has remained largely unchanged for over a millennium. Aleppo Soap is also:
- The world’s oldest surviving hard soap tradition
- Ancestor to European soaps like Marseille
- Made using a months-long process
- Culturally tied to Syrian heritage and craftsmanship
- Still produced using medieval methods
We are proud to carry the some of the most authentic, true-to-source Aleppo Soap in the world. You can find many cheap/factory knockoffs anywhere. But we are your source for the real thing.
History
The origins of Aleppo soap are generally traced to the 8th–10th century CE, during the early Islamic period. While ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians produced soap-like cleaning pastes, Aleppo soap is considered the first known hard bar soap made through a saponification process using plant-based oils and lye.
Aleppo’s position as a major trade hub on the Silk Road facilitated the distribution of the soap throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. By the 11th–12th centuries, returning Crusaders and merchants introduced the production methods to Europe, particularly to France, where they influenced the development of Marseille soap.
The Syrian Civil War, beginning in 2011, significantly disrupted traditional manufacturing in Aleppo. Many soap factories were damaged or destroyed, and numerous artisans were displaced. As a result, production shifted partially to rural areas of Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, where our soap is made. Read more about its origin below.
Cultural Significance
Aleppo soap production has long been a family-based craft, with some lineages maintaining the trade for hundreds of years. Techniques, formulas, and distinctive stamps are often passed down through generations.
The soap holds cultural importance in Syrian domestic life and is also associated historically with royal and elite usage in the broader region due to its perceived quality and medicinal value.
Aleppo soap is widely considered the precursor to European olive-oil soaps, especially Savon de Marseille. European producers adapted the method but frequently replaced costly laurel berry oil with more readily available vegetable oils.
The spread of Aleppo-style soapmaking contributed to the development of soap industries throughout the Mediterranean Basin.
Composition and Production
Traditional Aleppo soap contains:
Production follows a hot-process method:
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Olive oil, water, and lye are heated in large cauldrons for several days.
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Laurel berry oil is added near the end of the cooking process.
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The soap paste is poured onto flat surfaces, smoothed, and cut by hand.
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Bars are stamped with the maker’s seal.
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The soap is air-dried and aged for 6–12 months, during which it changes from green to a golden-brown exterior while remaining green inside.
Because the soap is heated and aged, it is not a cold-process soap, distinguishing it from many modern handcrafted varieties.
Laurel Berry Oil
Laurel berry oil (from Laurus nobilis) is a defining ingredient and contributes:
Historically, the presence of laurel oil elevated the soap’s status, earning it associations with medicinal use and luxury. Higher laurel concentrations are traditionally considered more premium.
Benefits
First, let's talk skin, our largest organ. The skin’s microbiome is a delicate ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live within the skin’s natural oils and slightly acidic surface layer (the acid mantle, typically pH 4.5–5.5). Bath soaps can significantly influence this environment because most cleansing products contain surfactants that dissolve oils and lift away dirt. When a soap is too alkaline, too strong, or overly stripping, it can remove not only excess sebum but also the lipid barrier that microbes depend on, leading to:
A higher pH, in particular, allows less desirable bacteria to thrive and can trigger inflammation or sensitivity. In contrast, gentler soaps—especially those high in plant oils and lower in free alkali—tend to cleanse without fully removing protective oils, helping maintain microbial diversity and barrier function. In short, the type of soap used can either support the skin’s natural defenses or disrupt them, with lasting effects on moisture balance, irritation levels, and overall skin health.
Although we make no claims pertaining to the specific benefits of our soap, the results speak for themselves. Many of our customers rave about the benefits their skin has seen after switching from detergent-heavy, cheap bars of soap to RELIC Aleppo. Here are some generally-reported benefits of authentic Aleppo soap:
Acne
Laurel oil helps fight bacteria + calm inflammation.
Key vitamins: A, E, D support healing, reduce redness, and help balance skin.
Eczema
Olive oil + laurel oil soothe irritation and lock in moisture.
Key vitamins: E, D, K help repair the skin barrier and calm flare-ups.
Rosacea
Super gentle lather that doesn’t trigger flushing.
Key vitamins: K, E help with redness and calming irritation.
Psoriasis
Gentle cleansing that doesn’t strip the skin.
Key vitamins: A, D, E help with cell turnover, dryness, and inflammation.
Dermatitis
No perfumes, no dyes, no chemicals = less irritation.
Key vitamins: E, D, K reduce redness, strengthen the barrier, and soothe.
Dry/Cracked Skin
Olive oil base is deeply moisturizing over time.
Key vitamins: E, A, D replenish moisture and soften rough patches.
