Production and Ingredients

Aleppo soap is made with laurel oil, olive oil, and caustic soda using a process called saponification. Traditional Aleppo soap is manufactured via the "hot process".

The oil mixture is blended with an aqueous solution containing the soda in large cauldrons. This mixture is then heated to over 200 C° and stirred until the oil is reduced to glycerin and sodium salts. The caustic soda solution is drained from the cauldron and the soap mixture is left overnight to cool slightly; the excess water is then drained off. Once a solid block has formed, the soap is cut manually into square bars, stamped and stored in a dry place for at least six months.

The process of making soap is carried out usually from November to April when the oils are freshly extracted during their harvest season. Generally, the higher the quantity of laurel oil, the better and the more expensive the soap is. The proportion of laurel oil, in the manufacturing of Aleppo soap, normally ranges from 2% to 40%.

In the 20th century, or in modern-day soap making, Aleppian soap artisans began with the introduction of “cold process” soap making introducing a variety of herbs and essential oils to their soaps.

Unlike most soaps, some Aleppo soap will float in water.

Aleppo soap is also biodegradable.