What Is Aleppo Soap? Ingredients, History & Traditional Craft
Aleppo soap is a traditional olive oil and laurel berry oil soap associated with the city of Aleppo, Syria.
Known for its simple formula, distinctive green centre and naturally aged exterior, it represents a style of soap making that has been passed through generations.
Long before skincare routines became complicated, Aleppo soap offered something much simpler: a versatile cleanser built around two defining oils, traditional craftsmanship and time.
Where Does Aleppo Soap Come From?
Aleppo soap takes its name from Aleppo, Syria, a city closely associated with this centuries-old soap-making tradition.
Over generations, the craft became known far beyond Syria and influenced olive-oil soap traditions throughout the Mediterranean.
While modern production and packaging have evolved, the defining principles remain remarkably simple: olive oil, laurel oil, traditional soap making and a long natural ageing period.
Want to see the process step by step? Read How Is Aleppo Soap Made?
What Is Aleppo Soap Made From?
The two defining oils are:
Olive oil
The foundation of traditional Aleppo soap and generally the largest part of the oil blend.
Laurel Berry oil
The ingredient that distinguishes Aleppo soap from a standard olive oil soap. The amount varies depending on the laurel oil percentage of the bar.
Water and alkali are also used during saponification, the soap-making reaction that turns the oils into soap.
Adira Earth's traditional Aleppo Soap Bars contain no added synthetic fragrance or dyes, allowing the character of the oils and the traditional process to remain at the centre of the product.
Why Does Laurel Oil Percentage Matter?
Not every Aleppo soap is the same.
One of the main differences is the percentage of laurel oil in the oil blend.
Adira Earth offers:
· 12% laurel oil
· 16% laurel oil
· 20% laurel oil
· 35% laurel oil
· 40% laurel oil
· 55% laurel oil
A higher percentage is not a measure of quality and does not automatically mean that the soap is better for your skin.
Instead, the percentage gives you a way to choose the balance of olive oil and laurel oil that best suits your cleansing preference.
If you're unsure where to begin, read our guide to choosing your Aleppo soap.
How Is Aleppo Soap Traditionally Made?
Traditional Aleppo soap is prepared by combining the oils through a soap-making process known as saponification.
Once prepared, the soap is poured out, allowed to set, cut into individual bars and stamped with the maker's mark.
Then comes one of the most important ingredients: time.
Rather than being packaged immediately, the bars are left to dry and age naturally for months.
Adira Earth's Aleppo Soap Bars undergo approximately nine months of natural ageing.
Why Is Aleppo Soap Brown Outside and Green Inside?
The two-tone appearance of aged Aleppo soap often surprises first-time users.
Fresh Aleppo soap begins with a greener colour. During months of exposure to air while drying and ageing, the exterior gradually develops shades of beige and golden brown.
Inside, the bar can retain its distinctive green colour.
This colour variation is a natural part of the ageing process and one of the most recognisable characteristics of traditional Aleppo soap.
Why Do People Choose Aleppo Soap Today?
For many people, the appeal is simplicity.
Instead of a long list of fragrances, colours and added ingredients, traditional Aleppo soap offers a much more pared-back approach to cleansing.
It can also be used in different ways as part of a daily routine, including cleansing the body, hands, face and, depending on personal preference, the hair and scalp.
Its dense, naturally aged form also makes it a practical, long-lasting alternative to many conventional cleansing products.
Is Aleppo Soap Suitable for Sensitive Skin?
People with sensitive skin often look for simpler cleansing products with fewer added fragrances and colours.
However, everyone's skin is different, and laurel oil percentages should not be treated as a scale where higher automatically means gentler or better.
If your skin is reactive, begin with a lower percentage and patch test first.
Aleppo soap is a cosmetic cleanser rather than a treatment for eczema or another diagnosed skin condition. If you are managing a skin condition, follow the advice of your healthcare professional.
Is Aleppo Soap Vegan?
Traditional Aleppo soap based on olive oil and laurel oil does not rely on animal fats, making the traditional formulation suitable for those seeking a plant-based soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Aleppo soap different from ordinary soap?
The main difference is its traditional olive oil and laurel oil formula and lengthy ageing process. Modern cleansing products vary widely in formulation, so it is always worth comparing ingredient lists rather than assuming all soaps are the same.
Why does Aleppo soap need to age for months?
As the soap dries, moisture gradually leaves the bar and it becomes firmer and denser. The long ageing period is one of the defining elements of traditional Aleppo soap production.
Does more laurel oil mean better soap?
No. Higher simply means that laurel oil makes up a greater proportion of the oil blend. Choose according to your skin and cleansing preference rather than choosing the highest number.
Can Aleppo soap be used on the face and body?
Yes, many people use the same Aleppo soap as a versatile cleanser for both. Start with a lower or mid-range laurel percentage if you are new to using it on your face.
Is Aleppo soap naturally scented?
Its characteristic earthy scent comes from the oils and traditional soap itself rather than an added synthetic fragrance.
Discover Aleppo Soap for Yourself
For something with such a long history, the idea behind Aleppo soap remains remarkably simple.
Two defining oils. Traditional craftsmanship. Months of ageing. One versatile bar.
Learn how Aleppo soap is made, discover the role of laurel oil in Aleppo soap, or use our Laurel Oil Percentage Guide to find the right place to start.
Explore Aleppo Soap in Australia, including traditional bars, shower gels and cleansing sets.
