Few things say "Syria" as simply as a cube of Aleppo soap: golden-brown on the outside, olive-green inside, stamped with the maker's seal. It has been made in much the same way for generations, and it is still one of the most popular gifts people send from home. This guide explains what is actually in a bar, what the numbers on the label mean, and how to choose one that suits you.
What Aleppo soap is
Traditional Aleppo soap uses a short list of ingredients: olive oil, laurel (bay) berry oil, water and lye (sodium hydroxide). The lye reacts with the oils to make soap, and none of it remains as free lye in a properly cured bar. There is no need for synthetic colour, foaming agents or heavy perfume, and good makers do not add them.
You will find the classic bars in our Aleppo soap category, alongside the wider soap and olive range.
How it is made
The method is slow, and that slowness is the point:
- Cooking. Olive oil, water and lye are heated together in large vats for several days until the mixture thickens. Laurel oil is added towards the end.
- Pouring. The hot soap is poured onto a covered floor and left to set into a wide, even layer.
- Cutting and stamping. Workers cut it into cubes and stamp each one with the workshop's seal, often showing the maker's name.
- Curing. The bars are stacked in airy towers with gaps between them and left to dry, usually for six months to a few years. Moisture escapes, the bar hardens, and the outside oxidises to that familiar golden colour while the inside stays green.
A longer cure generally means a harder bar that lasts longer in the shower and feels milder on the skin.
What the laurel percentage means
Most bars are labelled with their laurel oil content, typically anywhere from about 5% to 40% or more. Laurel is the more expensive oil, so the percentage affects price, but it also changes how the soap behaves:
- Lower laurel (around 5% to 15%): gentler and more olive-rich. Many people with dry or sensitive skin prefer these for everyday use on the face and body.
- Medium laurel (around 15% to 25%): a balanced choice for normal or combination skin.
- Higher laurel (30% and above): a stronger, more cleansing feel and a more noticeable earthy scent. Many people with oily skin, or who use the bar on the scalp, like these.
Higher is not automatically "better": it is a matter of what your skin likes. If you are unsure, start low and move up.
Choosing by skin type
| Your skin or use | Laurel range to try | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or sensitive | 5% to 15% | Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturise after. |
| Normal or combination | 15% to 25% | A reliable all-round family bar. |
| Oily skin | 25% to 40% | Many people find it leaves skin feeling clean without tightness. |
| Hair and scalp | 20% to 40% | Often described as suitable for hair; a vinegar or lemon rinse helps soften it. |
| A gift for someone new to it | Mixed set | Lets them find their own favourite. |
Aleppo soap is a cleansing bar, not a treatment. If you have a skin condition, follow your doctor's advice and patch-test any new soap first.
How to spot a good bar
- Green inside, golden outside. Cut or scrape a corner: the interior should be olive-green. A uniformly coloured bar right through may be very young or made differently.
- A light, earthy smell. Real Aleppo soap smells faintly of olive and laurel. A strong perfume or artificial colour is a warning sign.
- Hard and dense. A well-cured bar feels heavy for its size and does not dent easily with a fingernail.
- A clear stamp. Most workshops stamp their bars. It is not proof on its own, but it shows the maker stands behind them.
You may hear that a real bar "floats on water". This is not a reliable test: whether a bar floats depends on air and moisture in it, not on authenticity. Trust colour, smell, hardness and the maker's information instead.
On Shaam, every bar in the Made in Syria section lists the maker's name, city and story on the product page, so you know exactly where your soap comes from.
Our picks to start with
- Aleppo laurel soap, 40% laurel: the strongest classic, for oily skin and scalp.
- Aleppo soap with Damask rose: a softer, lightly floral bar.
- Aleppo soap gift set of 12: a mix of strengths, ideal for families or for trying several.
- Pure laurel berry oil: the same oil used in the soap, on its own.
- Natural loofah sponge: the traditional partner for a rich lather.
Storage: make a bar last for months
Aleppo soap lasts a long time if it can dry between uses. Keep it on a draining soap dish, away from standing water and out of the direct stream of the shower. Unused bars keep well wrapped in paper or a cotton bag in a dry cupboard, and they continue to cure gently while they wait. A bar that has gone soft has simply sat in water; let it dry out and it will firm up again.
FAQ
Why is the outside a different colour from the inside?
The surface oxidises in the air during curing and turns golden-brown. The inside is protected and stays green. Both are normal.
Is it suitable for the whole family?
Many families use a lower-laurel bar for everyone. For babies or very sensitive skin, ask your doctor first.
How quickly will it reach me?
Soap ships from inside Syria: typically 1 to 2 days in Damascus and Rif Dimashq, and 2 to 6 days elsewhere depending on the governorate. See the shipping policy for zones and fees.
Quick checklist
- Pick a laurel percentage for your skin: low for dry, high for oily.
- Look for a green interior, golden exterior and light natural smell.
- Ignore the floating test.
- Read the maker's details on the product page.
- Store on a draining dish and keep spare bars dry.
