Aleppo soap boasts a very ancient and unique history, whose diffusion has come down to us over the centuries. Its origins and its processing for hundreds of years, date back to the city from which it takes its name, in Syria. It is still an artisanal product, made with the best raw materials of vegetable origin, therefore also an eco-friendly cosmetic. Each production phase is treated with extreme care, in order to recreate this particular soap that is unique in the world every time. Let’s find out the uses and benefits of Aleppo soap . Aleppo soap: origins
The first evidence of its use dates back to 2,500 BC in Mesopotamia, in Babylon. This soap is typical of Syria and more precisely of the northern city al-Shahba, known as Aleppo. It was exported to Europe following the Crusades and from that moment on, the first soap manufacturers were born in Spain, Italy and France. In fact, Marseille soap inherited the Aleppo soap manufacturing procedure , which is the origin of all solid soaps in the world. Aleppo soap: ingredients and natural processing
Aleppo soapand the natural soap par excellence. It is still produced by hand, following the same saponification process used since ancient times. The basic ingredients for its preparation are olive oil and bay leaf oil , which gives the soap its soothing and antibacterial properties. It differs from Nablus soap (current West Bank) which contains only olive oil without adding laurel oil.
How it is made
In a cauldron, the olive oil is treated with soda extracted from sea salt and cooked for several days; once this phase is finished, during the cooling, a variable percentage of bay leaf oil is added, which makes the Aleppo soapmore fragrant and more refined. In fact, the higher the percentage of laurel oil , the more valuable (and more expensive) the soap. Once prepared, the soap is cut by hand and left to dry for at least nine months on a special structure. The longer the maturation process, the better the product obtained.
On the market it is possible to find Aleppo soap with laurel oil concentrations ranging from 2% to 30%, even reaching up to 40 – 70% in the most sought-after versions. Today it is quite difficult to find Aleppo soap produced with a hot process. Most of the Aleppo soap that we find in herbalists is enriched with herbs and essential oils. Liquid Aleppo soap is also very popular and includes the same benefits associated with bay leaf oil, but its production and ingredients are different from the traditional recipe. Properties and benefits of Aleppo
soap Aleppo soap is made up exclusively of natural vegetable ingredientsand it is free of synthetic additives. Its composition makes it very suitable for delicate skin and for those suffering from allergies and intolerances to perfumes and other chemical elements, often present in detergents for personal hygiene. In fact, Aleppo soap does not dry out and does not irritate the skin. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic, curative, antibiotic, antifungal and antipruritic properties.
It has always been known for its healing and beneficial properties: it deeply hydrates the skinand gives softness and a sense of relaxation, manages to regenerate the skin by carrying out an emollient action. Aleppo soap does not contain aggressive surfactants and its particular natural scent has a soothing effect on our senses. Its delicacy also makes it suitable for the skin of children and babies. Given its soothing power, this soap is also recommended for those prone to dermatological problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Aleppo soap is also used as an antibacterial in acne and blackheads. Aleppo soap: uses, advice and contraindications
There are many uses in everyday life. Aleppo soap is excellent for washing hands and face and can also be used as a shower gel in the shower, or as a natural make-up remover. Also very suitable as a soap for male shaving and for female hair removal. Aleppo soap is also used as a hair shampoo, because it has the ability to prevent hair loss and act as an anti-dandruff.
However, after using it on the hair , it is important to rinse with a solution of water and vinegar, in order to bring the pH back to optimal levels. But Aleppo soap is a truly multipurpose product, beyond cosmetics and body care. In particular, it has an anti- moth effect, and it is perfect and convenient to place in cabinets or drawers, avoiding the use of chemicals. Moreover, if reduced to flakes, it can also become a detergent for hand or washing machine laundry.
We recommend storing Aleppo soap in a wooden soap dish, so that its qualities remain unchanged. It is also better to avoid closing it in plastic containers. But what are the contraindications of Aleppo soap
They are not many, but better to keep them in mind. It should not be used in case of allergy to its components. Finally, considering its deep and intense cleansing action, in some cases it can cause dryness in the skin and therefore requires, after its use, the application of moisturizing cream.
