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Aleppo Soap Bar – 5% to 60% Laurel Oil, All-Natural & Handcrafted

$4.90

Percentage of Laurel Oil %5 %10 %30 %40 %50 %60

Step into the legacy of Mesopotamian skincare with authentic Aleppo Soap, handmade in Aleppo using time-honored techniques. Formulated with just olive oil, laurel oil, water, and lye—this cold-processed Castile soap is pure, biodegradable, and long-lasting.

Ideal for boutiques, wellness spas, and eco-conscious retailers, this versatile 7 oz bar cleanses without stripping natural oils, offering different Laurel Oil strengths (5% to 60%) to suit a range of skin types—from normal to very sensitive or dry skin.

5–10% Laurel: Gentle, ideal for daily use and normal skin
30–40% Laurel: Nourishing for dry, sensitive, or irritated skin
50–60% Laurel: Deep cleansing and anti-bacterial, great for acne-prone skin or hair care

Every bar offers a distinct earthy scent and is air-dried for over 6 months to ensure superior quality. Use it on the face, body, or hair. Excellent resale value due to growing interest in minimalist, zero-waste, and ancient wellness rituals.

Pure Extra Olive Oil
Laurel Oil
Saponin Extract
Olive Tree Leaf

Sensitive Skin
Anti-Acne
Hydrating
Blemish Reducing
PH Balancing
Pore Reducing

Earthy & Woody
Unscented

All skin types
Normal
Dry
Sensitive
Very dry

Earthy & Woody
Unscented

Fragrance-Free
Hypoallergenic
Non-Comedogenic
Sulfate-Free
Paraben-Free
Non-GMO

Please note that all of our soaps are handcrafted using traditional methods, which means that each bar is unique in shape, color, and texture. While we strive to provide accurate product images, slight variations may occur from the photos shown. These differences are a natural result of small-batch, artisan production and do not affect the quality, ingredients, or benefits of the soap.

We believe these natural variations are part of what makes our products truly special—thank you for supporting handmade craftsmanship!

The Basics: Understanding Aleppo Soap

Aleppo Soap is one of the world's oldest soaps, originating from the city of Aleppo, Syria. It is a hard soap made from a traditional recipe of olive oil, laurel berry oil, water, and lye. It is renowned for its natural, moisturizing, and gentle properties.

Our soap is made following the authentic, centuries-old tradition. We honor the heritage by using only the highest quality olive oil and laurel berry oil, without any artificial fragrances, chemicals, or preservatives. It's a pure, minimalist soap for all skin types.

The tradition of soap-making in Aleppo is believed to date back over 2,000 years. The method of using olive oil and laurel berry oil, along with the slow curing process, has been passed down through generations of master soap makers.

"Ghar" (غَار) is the Arabic word for laurel. Since the defining ingredient that gives the soap its unique therapeutic properties is laurel berry oil, it is traditionally known as "Sapun Ghar" or Laurel Soap.

Authenticity & Sourcing

Due to the ongoing situation in Syria, many master soap makers have relocated to preserve their craft. Our Avlia soaps are authentically crafted by Syrian artisans in the Gaziantep region of Türkiye, right near the Syrian border, using the original recipes and methods to ensure you receive a genuine product.

Authentic Aleppo Soap has a few key characteristics:

Ingredients: The list is short: Olive Oil, Laurel Berry Oil, Water, and Sodium Hydroxide (lye, which disappears during saponification).
Appearance: It has a hard, dark golden-brown exterior and a deep olive-green interior.
Scent: It has a natural, earthy, clean scent, not a perfumed one.
Stamp: Each bar bears the Arabic stamp of the master soap maker.

Absolutely. We partner directly with artisans who practice fair trade principles. Our soap is 100% plant-based and is never tested on animals.

Ingredients & Composition

Our traditional soap contains only four ingredients: Saponified Olive Oil (OleaEuropaea Fruit Oil), Saponified Laurel Berry Oil (LaurusNobilis Fruit Oil), Water (Aqua), and Glycerin (naturally formed during the soap-making process).

The percentage (e.g., 5%, 20%, 40%) indicates the amount of laurel berry oil relative to the total oil content (olive + laurel). A higher percentage means more laurel berry oil, which has stronger purifying and soothing properties.

Olive oil is a fantastic natural moisturizer. It cleanses the skin gently while providing nourishment, vitamins, and antioxidants, leaving your skin soft and hydrated.

Laurel berry oil is the "miracle" ingredient. It is known for its natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties, making it excellent for soothing troubled skin conditions.

Yes. There are no synthetic fragrances, colorants, parabens, sulfates, or preservatives. What you get is pure, plant-derived soap.

Yes, our soap is 100% vegan and is completely free of palm oil.

Choosing the Right Soap for You

We recommend starting with our 5% or 12% Laurel Berry Oil soap. This offers a perfect balance of olive oil's moisturizing properties and laurel oil's gentle cleansing, making it ideal for getting acquainted with the product.

For daily use on normal, combination, or sensitive skin, our lower percentages (5%-20%) are perfect. They provide gentle cleansing without stripping the skin's natural oils.

For oily, combination, or blemish-prone skin, a higher percentage of laurel berry oil (20% to 40%) is ideal. The natural purifying properties of laurel oil help to cleanse pores and balance sebum production.

Both olive oil and laurel berry oil are beneficial. Many customers with these conditions find relief with higher percentages (20% and up) due to the powerful soothing properties of laurel oil. However, as every skin is unique, you may want to start with a medium percentage and see how your skin responds.

How to Use Avlia Aleppo Soap

Simply wet the bar, lather it in your hands or on a washcloth, and apply to your face and body as you would with any other soap. Rinse thoroughly. It's gentle enough for daily use.

Yes! Aleppo soap is a fantastic, plastic-free shampoo alternative. It cleanses the scalp effectively, especially for those with oily hair or scalp issues like dandruff.

Wet your hair thoroughly. Rub the soap bar directly onto your scalp in several places. Massage to create a lather, then work it through to the ends. Rinse very well. Some users experience a transition period; an apple cider vinegar rinse (1 part ACV to 4 parts water) can help remove residue and restore pH balance.

Yes, it creates a slick, smooth lather that is perfect for shaving the face or body, helping to prevent razor burn and irritation.

Absolutely. The pure and gentle formula, especially the lower percentage (5%) soap, is traditionally used for babies and individuals with delicate skin. It is free of the harsh chemicals found in many commercial baby washes.

Product Characteristics & Expectations

This is the signature of authentic Aleppo soap! The soap is aged and cured for a minimum of 9 months. During this time, the exterior oxidizes and turns a deep golden-brown, while the inside, protected from the air, retains the rich olive-green color of the oils.

It has a natural, earthy, and slightly spicy scent from the olive and laurel oils. It does not contain any added perfumes, so the smell is clean and unprocessed.

Because it's free of synthetic foaming agents, the lather is more creamy and low-profile than commercial soaps. It provides a luxurious, lotion-like cleanse rather than big bubbles.

Aleppo soap is a very hard, dense, and slow-melting soap. When stored properly on a draining dish, a single bar can last for many weeks, often much longer than conventional soap bars.

Each bar of Avlia Aleppo Soap is hand-cut and traditionally made. Slight variations in size, shape, color, and stamp impression are normal and a beautiful sign of its artisanal authenticity.

The Arabic stamp is the seal of the master soap maker. It traditionally signifies the maker's brand and sometimes the percentage of laurel oil, guaranteeing its quality and origin.

Benefits & Skin Concerns

It moisturizes, purifies, soothes, and softens the skin. It helps balance skin tone, cleanse pores, and supports the skin's natural barrier without the use of harsh chemicals.

It is extremely moisturizing. Unlike detergent-based soaps that strip the skin, Aleppo soap's olive oil base cleanses while hydrating.

Yes, with its minimal, all-natural ingredients, it is considered hypoallergenic and is an excellent choice for those with allergies to fragrances and synthetic additives.

Like all true soaps made through saponification, Aleppo soap is alkaline, with a pH of around 8-9. While this is higher than the skin's natural pH, its unique composition with naturally formed glycerin and moisturizing oils ensures it cleanses without stripping the skin's protective acid mantle.

Storage & Care

The key is to keep it dry between uses. Use a well-draining soap dish that allows air to circulate around the entire bar. Do not let it sit in a puddle of water.

Yes! Aleppo soap gets better with age. Storing unused bars in a cool, dry place (like a linen closet) allows them to cure further, making them even harder and milder.

Comparisons & Miscellaneous

African Black Soap is made from ingredients like plantain skins and cocoa pods, giving it a soft texture and dark color. Aleppo Soap is a hard, cured soap made from olive and laurel oils. They have different properties, textures, and origins.

Castile soap is traditionally made with 100% olive oil. Aleppo soap is a type of castile soap that is enriched with the therapeutic addition of laurel berry oil, making it distinct and more beneficial for troubled skin.

Marseille soap must contain at least 72% vegetable oils, traditionally olive oil. However, modern versions can include palm or coconut oil. Aleppo soap's recipe is more specific, requiring both olive oil and the key ingredient, laurel berry oil.

Yes, it performs well in both hard and soft water, rinsing away cleanly.

Yes, being made of only natural oils, it is 100% biodegradable and safe for the environment.

No. Like all true soaps, it is not a "tear-free" formula and will sting if it gets in the eyes. Please use caution around the eye area.