Appeared in Syria more than 3,000 years ago, Aleppo soap is considered today as the oldest soap in the world. An ancestor of Marseille soap, it does not yet benefit from a controlled designation of origin, but remains mainly manufactured in Aleppo. While it was imported into Europe in the 12th century at the time of the Crusades, its production is also found in Spain and Italy. Recognized at all times as a powerful antiseptic, this soap has hypoallergenic properties, which make it the ideal companion for all skin types, from the driest to the most fragile, such as those of babies. Dermatologists are, moreover, unanimous as to the regenerative virtues of Aleppo soap:thanks to its high concentration of moisturizing active ingredients, it is to be preferred in patients suffering from common skin problems, such as psoriasis, eczema or acne.
Aleppo soap derives its reputation from an ancestral recipe based on ingredients exclusively of natural origin. Composed mainly of excellent quality olive oil, Aleppo soap is considered a surgras cleansing product, which restores the hydrolipidic film of the skin and maintains its suppleness. The olive oil, obtained after a second cold pressing, is heated with natural soda (from glasswort, for example) for 3 days until the mixture saponifies. Laurel leaf oil is added at the end, which gives it its distinctive fragrance. The dough obtained is rolled out, cut into large cubes, then dried in the sun for about ten months. Surmounted by its characteristic seal, Aleppo soap presents in its heart, if it is cut in two, a more intense coloring than on the surface.
Like any artisanal product, Aleppo soap is the victim of numerous counterfeits. Also, so as not to be mistaken, learn to recognize a real Aleppo soap. With a counterfeit, you risk ending up with a product made up of polluting and irritating ingredients. While authentic Aleppo soap is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, a fake Aleppo soap cannot provide you with the same properties. To the touch, a real Aleppo soap is dry, with no greasy residue on the surface. Its color, between brown and green, is indicative of its composition based on olive oil. If possible, prefer a soap with a label, which will allow you to list the ingredients:if you find traces of palm oil or other derivatives, you are surely not in the presence of a real Aleppo soap. . Finally, trust the price:bay laurel oil is particularly expensive. So, if your soap cube seems too inexpensive, you have a good chance of finding yourself faced with a counterfeit.
