What is Aleppo soap really used for ? Is it good for the skin ? What are its benefits ? Where does it come from ? Can it really be used on the face or hair ? What is it made of ?
What is Aleppo soap ?
Aleppo soap is made from olive oil and bay laurel oil. Real Aleppo soap is purifying and skin-softening. It is the oldest soap in the world, thought to be over 3,500 years old. It is the ancestor of Marseille soap.
It is handmade in the Syrian city of Aleppo. However, since the war and the bombardments, it’s been difficult to obtain real Aleppo soap. So we’re seeing more and more Aleppo-style soap, which uses the same manufacturing processes, but can’t be called Aleppo soap because it’s not made in Aleppo.
When the soap is finished, in most cases it is marked with a seal in Arabic script.
Real Aleppo soap is fragrance-free, preservative-free, natural and hypoallergenic.
What are its benefits for the skin ?
Aleppo soap has many benefits for the skin.
Aleppo soap is considered a “superfatted” soap, making it suitable for all skin types.
Thanks to laurel oil and olive oil, it is antiseptic, disinfectant, purifying and soothing.
It doesn’t dry out the skin as other soaps can, but nourishes it at the same time, restoring the skin barrier that may have been damaged.
As well as purifying the skin, Aleppo soap has anti-aging properties. This is the result of the vitamins contained in olive oil. The antioxidants present in Aleppo soap act against cell oxidation. Olive oil also contains vitamins E, A, D and K. Vitamin E helps slow down the skin’s aging process.
Soap also moisturizes and nourishes the skin, without clogging pores. It will therefore help reduce redness, irritation and residual marks on the skin, while protecting it at the same time.
And if I suffer from acne or hormonal acne, can I use it ?
For problem skins, those suffering from acne and hormonal acne for example, it’s perfect because it doesn’t dry out the skin. It cleanses deep down, purifies blemished areas and even reduces acne scarring.
As it has a purifying action, it dislodges impurities and reduces the excess sebum responsible for blackheads, pimples and other blemishes.
It doesn’t clog pores, but cleanses them thoroughly. It purifies and moisturizes the skin, helping it to heal at the same time.
This is thanks in particular to the antiseptic virtues of bay laurel oil, which stops the proliferation of bacteria, deeply purifies the skin and helps it to heal.
For acne-prone skin, this soap is of particular interest, as it is often dehydrated, attacked by products and becoming red or dry in places. This soap will restore the skin’s cutaneous barrier, nourish it, soften and moisturize it, and restore its radiance while purifying it of impurities.
What about hair ?
Aleppo soap can be used on all hair types, whether fragile, color-treated, thick, thin or damaged. However, it is not recommended for very dry hair.
As it’s 100% natural, it’s much more interesting than commercially available shampoos. What’s more, it’s economical and environmentally friendly.
It’s often recommended for people with oily hair, as it rebalances the hair’s PH, making it easier to space out shampoos.
But it’s also great for brittle or damaged hair: it’s nourishing and purifying, so it will nourish and moisturize hair without drying it out.
It’s best to use it once or twice a week, or to alternate with your regular shampoo.
If you use it, remember to rinse your hair with cold water, or rinse your hair with cider vinegar to restore its shine.
Where can I find real Aleppo soap ? Which one should I choose ?
To find real Aleppo soap or Aleppo-style soap, it’s essential to turn to organic or natural cosmetics brands to ensure that the soap contains the best ingredients.
There are a lot of scams on the market, so it’s always best to turn to an organic brand that uses good, natural products with no health risks.
You’ll find them on sites like AromaZone, Greenweez and MademoiselleBio.