Laurel Oil in Aleppo Soap: Benefits & Laurel Oil Percentages
Laurel oil is what makes Aleppo soap distinct from an ordinary olive oil soap.
Combined with olive oil through the traditional soap-making process, it gives Aleppo soap its characteristic composition, natural aroma and the range of laurel oil percentages that allow you to choose a bar according to your own cleansing preference.
But what exactly is laurel oil, and does a higher percentage mean a better soap?
Here's what you need to know.
What Is Laurel Oil?
The laurel used in traditional Aleppo soap comes from Laurus nobilis, the bay laurel plant long associated with the Mediterranean region.
In Aleppo soap, laurel oil is combined with olive oil to create the defining oil blend.
The proportion can vary significantly, which is why you will see traditional Aleppo soaps described by percentages such as 12%, 20%, 35% or 55% laurel oil.
If you're new to the soap itself, start with What Is Aleppo Soap? to learn about its ingredients, origins and traditional craft.
What Does Laurel Oil Bring to Aleppo Soap?
Laurel oil contributes to the distinctive character of traditional Aleppo soap.
Together with olive oil, it creates a simple cleansing bar that can be used as part of an everyday skin and body routine.
Rather than thinking of laurel oil as a "treatment" ingredient, it is more useful to think about how its concentration changes the balance and cleansing character of the soap.
That is why Aleppo soap makers offer different laurel oil percentages.
Why Does Laurel Oil Percentage Matter?
Aleppo soap isn't a case of more being automatically better.
A 12% bar contains a greater proportion of olive oil in the oil blend than a 55% bar.
A 55% bar contains a much higher proportion of laurel oil.
Neither is inherently superior.
The percentage simply allows you to select a different balance according to your skin, how often you cleanse and the feel you prefer.
Lower Laurel Oil Percentages
Lower percentages such as 12%, 16% and 20% are practical choices for:
· first-time Aleppo soap users
· everyday body cleansing
· normal or combination skin
· people who prefer to begin gently
· general family use
They are also a sensible starting point if you are unsure how your skin will respond to Aleppo soap.
Mid to Higher Laurel Oil Percentages
Percentages such as 35%, 40% and 55% offer a more pronounced laurel oil concentration.
They may appeal to:
· experienced Aleppo soap users
· people who prefer a stronger cleansing feel
· those whose skin or scalp tends to become oily
· anyone specifically looking for a higher-laurel traditional soap
Higher does not mean that the soap will automatically be better for sensitive or reactive skin.
If your skin is sensitive, start lower and increase only if your skin remains comfortable.
Laurel Oil and Dry or Sensitive Skin
When skin is dry or sensitive, the goal should be comfortable cleansing rather than chasing the highest laurel percentage.
Some people enjoy mid-range Aleppo soap as part of their routine, while others find that a lower concentration suits them better.
There is no universal percentage for sensitive skin because everyone's skin responds differently.
A patch test is always a sensible way to introduce a new skincare product.
What About Eczema-Prone Skin?
Aleppo soap has a long history as a simple cleansing product, and people with reactive skin are often drawn to its minimal formulation and lack of added synthetic fragrance.
Some people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin prefer a higher laurel oil concentration, including 40% and 55%. However, skin responses vary, and a higher percentage does not automatically mean it will suit every sensitive skin type. We recommend patch testing first and choosing the concentration that feels most comfortable on your skin.
Can Laurel Oil Aleppo Soap Be Used on Hair and Scalp?
Aleppo soap can also be used for hair and scalp cleansing.
If you are trying it for the first time, begin with a lower or mid-range percentage and see how your hair and scalp respond.
Hair texture, water hardness and individual scalp needs can all affect how a traditional soap feels when used on hair, so it may take some experimentation to find what works for you.
Laurel Oil Beyond the Traditional Bar
Prefer a liquid cleanser?
Our Aleppo Soap Shower Gel brings the traditional Aleppo cleansing ritual into a convenient liquid format for the shower.
After cleansing, you can also follow with The Sama Body Elixir, our botanical body oil designed to be massaged into the skin as part of a simple post-shower ritual.
The two serve different purposes: Aleppo soap cleanses, while body oil is used afterwards to nourish and condition the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laurel oil the same as the bay leaf used in cooking?
They come from the same botanical species, Laurus nobilis, but the laurel oil used in traditional soap making is a specialised ingredient and should not be confused with simply using culinary bay leaves.
Is more laurel oil better for your skin?
Not necessarily. The percentage indicates the balance of laurel oil and olive oil, not the quality of the soap.
What laurel oil percentage should I start with?
If you are new to Aleppo soap, 12% to 20% is a practical starting point. You can then move higher if you decide you prefer a more pronounced laurel concentration.
Can I use Aleppo soap every day?
Many people use Aleppo soap as part of their daily cleansing routine. How often you use it should ultimately depend on your own skin and how it feels after washing.
Can I use Aleppo soap on sensitive skin?
You can introduce it carefully, but sensitivity varies from person to person. Start with a lower percentage and patch test before using it more widely.
Is Aleppo soap a treatment for eczema or acne?
No. Aleppo soap is a cosmetic cleanser. It should not replace medical advice or treatment for a diagnosed skin condition.
Finding Your Laurel Oil Percentage
The beauty of Aleppo soap is that there isn't one "best" percentage.
The choice is personal.
Some people prefer the olive-oil-rich balance of a lower percentage. Others enjoy the more pronounced character of a high-laurel bar.
The right starting point is the one that feels comfortable on your skin.
Read our Laurel Oil Percentage Guide for a full comparison of 12%, 16%, 20%, 35%, 40% and 55%, or explore our Aleppo Soap Bars to compare the available bar options.
Explore the complete Aleppo Soap collection and compare the available laurel oil options.
