Imagine traveling to Syria and experiencing the famed Aleppo soap firsthand.
Syria Scope Travel Agency is always ready to make your dream possible.
The deep perfume of olive and laurel oil hangs in the air of old Aleppo, home to an ancient soap industry.
In fact, the Aleppo soap is the first hard, original soap to be manufactured in the world.
It is famous for its remarkable qualities and historical background.
The real soap is also known as Aleppo’s green gold, laurel soap, or ghar soap; the Arabic word ghar means laurel.
This ancient, natural soap has been crafted for over 2,000 years in Aleppo using pure olive and laurel oils.
Also, it’s considered one of the purest soaps ever made, created exclusively with the most natural ingredients, olive and laurel oil, as mentioned above. Actually, the purity of the Aleppo soap comes from these noble ingredients.

Discover the Original Aleppo Soap

Aleppo soap is made by mixing oil from laurel (bay) trees with olive oil and sodium hydroxide to start saponification.
Indeed, Aleppo soap uses no chemicals or other additives, which gives it a good reputation.
In some cases, other natural ingredients such as honey, and pure essential oils are added.
Even some factories have developed a line that adds almond oil, mint, and lemon oil to laurel, catering to some European and Asian tastes, with consideration to the product to remain high in quality.

From Natural Ingredients to Iconic Syrian Soap

Factories of Aleppo soap used to buy the laurel oil directly from villages outside Aleppo, but as demand increased they had to travel further afield to Latakia on the Mediterranean coast to obtain the quantities that were needed.
Olive groves, however, are plentiful in Aleppo.
In addition, farmers spent November and December collecting olive oil from local trees. Then the Production takes place.
So, usually, soap manufacturing occurs in the winter months.

Manufacturing Process of Aleppo Soap

Over thousands of years, the town of Aleppo has preserved the ancient processing method, the soap’s main secret.
However, minor alterations to the age-old technique were that the manufacturer heated the soap with a steam-boiler rather than a wood fire and produced a range of herbal soaps adapted for modern market tastes, using organic chamomile for example, and honey.
The large blocks of soap are made by hand using a traditional method, these soaps are cut into blocks and stamped with the mark of the manufacturer.
Aleppo soap is boiled with olive oil and laurel oil. The quantity of both oils used may vary from one soap bar to the other.
Usually, olive oil is between 60-98% while laurel is between 2-40%. The soap which has the most amount of laurel oil in it is considered to be the most valuable and it has the most costly production.

The mixture of olive and laurel oil is then poured onto a flat surface, like a shallow swimming pool, and then cooled.
After that, the resulting block Is cut by hand and left to dry for a period of six months up to three years to make it last longer.
During this drying process, the soap gets hard, and its color changes from olive green to a beautiful deep gold. The color of the soap depends mostly on the amount of laurel oil the bar has. Color ranges from a pale yellow (small concentration of laurel oil) to a deep brown or golden color (large concentration of laurel oil).
The rough look of the soap and the big square bars that weigh almost a quarter of a kilo.

What Makes Aleppo Soap So Special?

Aleppo soap doesn’t contain any artificial colorings (its color is due to the proportion of laurel oil).
Many imitators use chemical coloring to give the soap a green tint of laurel and olive oil.
No artificial fragrances and flavors, parabens, foam establishers, perfumes, and no animal fats. This makes the soap the ultimate natural product, with extremely good properties for the skin.
Olive oil is a natural moisturizer and laurel oil a cleanser – contrast with modern soaps that use everything from pig fat to crushed horse bone, as well as “less noble” oils, such as palm oil or other seeds.

Aleppo soap is so mild, gentle, moisturizing, and natural that it can be used on adults, babies, small children, and even pets. It will not dry your skin out and once wet it has a luxurious, smooth, and creamy feel.
After each use your skin will feel refreshed. It is most popular because of its stronger disinfectant, and, purifying properties.

Aleppo Soap: Syria’s Ancient Beauty Secret You Must Try

For anyone who finds themselves suffering from skin allergies, irritated skin, or conditions such as general dermatitis like eczema, psoriasis, bacterial dermatitis, acne, herpes, or rosacea, it also helps prevent hair loss and it aids in the recovery of skin diseases. It’s recommended for all skin types.
In addition, olive oil is very rich in vitamin E and polyphenol, which is a useful anti-oxidant that can help delay the effects of aging while the Laurel oil has antiseptic properties.
So, It softens and nourishes the skin without causing dryness and irritation.
There are no chemical additives and that is a reliable guarantee from allergies or other harm to the skin if compared to other industrial soaps.
Some Dermatologists advise using Aleppo soap to eliminate the sebum from the skin.
In conclusion, book your tour to Syria now and feel the rich, because each bar tells a story of Syria’s past, its resilience, and its cultural pride.

The Largest Soap Bar in the World

The largest soap bar in the world is located In the heart of Aleppo, the legacy of soap-making reached new heights with the creation of the world’s largest soap bar, a giant tribute to Syria’s cultural heritage. This massive bar, weighing over a ton, in precise,1520 Kg, symbolizes Aleppo’s rich history in soap craftsmanship. Created by skilled artisans using the traditional formula of olive oil and laurel oil, the soap reflects the dedication of Syrian soap makers to preserving their craft despite years of hardship.
By traveling to Syria, you support the artisans and help preserve an ancient tradition.
This oversized soap bar not only celebrates Syria’s cultural legacy but also stands as a reminder of the enduring tradition of Aleppo soap, cherished by Syrians and visitors alike for its purity and soothing properties.

The Bathhouse Ritual: Aleppo Soap’s Role in Syrian Culture

In Syria, every traditional public bathhouse, or “hammam al-souq,” uses Aleppo soap as a part of the bathing ritual. This soap holds a special place in Syrian culture, where it’s considered more than a cleaning product it’s a symbol of hospitality, heritage, and self-care. The hammam experience is not complete without the rich, creamy lather of Aleppo soap, a trusted staple that has become synonymous with Syrian bathing practices. For centuries, Syrians have relied on this soap to cleanse and purify, embracing its gentle and natural formula.

Visit an authentic Syrian bathhouse, where Aleppo soap is a fundamental part of the ritual, used in hammams for its soothing properties. Indeed, Aleppo soap is more than a beauty product, it’s an experience of Syrian hospitality and culture.

How Conflict Impacted Aleppo’s Soap Industry

The intense fighting made it too dangerous to continue in the same rhythm in making soap for several reasons:
First and most importantly the safety of the employees was threatened.
Then the unpassable roads make it difficult to receive or send the goods.
Thirdly, unavailability of the ingredients due to the destruction of a lot of land especially olive trees.
Finally, roadblocks and shootings prevented making deliveries to shops in Damascus.

Syria’s Journey to Restore Aleppo Soap Making

Despite the severe impacts of recent conflicts, Syrian soap makers have shown resilience in their efforts to keep this centuries-old tradition alive. Aleppo, known as the birthplace of the soap, saw its historic soap factories devastated by war. Yet, Syrian artisans have worked tirelessly to rebuild and re-establish production facilities, determined to revive this iconic craft.
With Syrian artisans dedicated to reviving this iconic craft, you’ll witness the spirit of resilience and culture firsthand.
Furthermore, with each bar they make, they are reclaiming a cherished cultural practice, ensuring that future generations will continue to experience the renowned quality of Aleppo soap.

Aleppo Soap as a Unique Gift from Syria

Walking through the bustling souks, you’ll find Aleppo soap in every shape and shade, inviting you to experience Syria’s heritage. You are lucky to try that famous soap bar, so share this special product with your beloveds.

Aleppo soap makes a wonderful and unique gift for loved ones, as it carries a blend of tradition, artistry, and natural goodness. Handmade from pure olive and laurel oils, each bar tells the story of ancient Syrian craftsmanship and offers benefits for all skin types, making it a thoughtful and practical present. Gifting Aleppo soap is like sharing a piece of Syria’s heritage; it’s a token of a culture that values natural beauty and purity. With its distinctive earthy fragrance, Aleppo soap offers a sensory experience that connects the recipient to the land and culture of Syria, making it an ideal and memorable gift that shows care and thoughtfulness.

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