Natural Soaps

This section features premium handmade soaps from Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The most famous type of soap in this category is the Aleppo soap.

What is Aleppo Soap?

Inscribed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Aleppo soap has been continuously produced in the same way for at least 3,500 years. It’s made by hand using ancestral techniques passed down through generations, with a history predating documented records. It’s been produced in the same way for so long because it’s absolutely perfect!

Aleppo soap is made only of premium and natural ingredients. Historically, it was a luxury item used by royalty, such as Cleopatra and Queen Zenobia. It originates in the ancient city of Aleppo, Syria, which was a key trade hub along the Silk Road. It’s the world’s oldest soap, and is considered the origin of other soap traditions around the globe.

How it’s made

It is made of olive oil, laurel oil, water, and lye. Soap makers in Aleppo follow a traditional, manual process that has been refined over thousands of years. They start by cooking the oils in huge cauldrons, along with soda derived from sea salt. The soap is poured onto the floor to cool and to harden, and is then cut into blocks and stamped. The blocks are stacked in ancient cellars to dry for up to nine months. As the soap ages, it hardens, and its colour changes from bright green to brown. This process can only be done in winter, from November through March.

Benefits

Aleppo soap is 100% natural. It’s sustainable, biodegradable and uses zero preservatives. The soap-making process doesn't require any animal fats or chemicals, so it's also vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. It’s gentle and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin and babies’ skin. Aleppo soap can really simplify your skincare routine: It can be used from head to toe, for the face, hair and body. Are you ready to try a piece of history?