Authentic Aleppo Soap: History, Ingredients, and How to Make It

The Ancient Origins of Aleppo Soap

Aleppo soap is one of the oldest manufactured soaps in the world, with origins dating back over 5,000 years to the ancient city of Aleppo in Syria. It is widely considered to be the predecessor to all modern bar soaps, including Castile soap from Spain and Marseille soap from France.

Traditional Aleppo soap is made with just two oils: olive oil and laurel berry oil. The percentage of laurel berry oil determines the grade and price of the soap — the higher the laurel oil content, the more premium the soap.

What Makes Aleppo Soap Different?

Authentic Aleppo soap is characterized by its distinctive dark exterior that turns to a lighter olive-green color when cut. This color transformation is caused by the oxidation of the laurel berry oil.

Traditional Aleppo soap is aged for 1-3 years before sale. During aging, the harsh exterior softens and the soap develops a milder, more conditioning character.

The Two Essential Ingredients

Only two oils can make authentic Aleppo soap:

• Olive Oil: Forms the base of the soap, providing conditioning and gentle cleansing. Typically 70-95% of the formula.
• Laurel Berry Oil: The defining ingredient, typically 5-55% of the formula. Higher percentages mean more cleansing and a stronger herbal scent.

How to Make Your Own Aleppo Soap

Making Aleppo soap at home requires care and safety precautions when working with lye. Always wear gloves and eye protection.

A simple beginner formula: 900g Olive Oil + 100g Laurel Berry Oil + 125g Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) + 300g water. This creates a 1000g batch with 10% laurel oil.