Family Encyclopedia >> Beauty & Style

Aleppo soap, Marseille soap, black soap… Which one for my skin?

Aleppo soap:the gentle cleanser

Unlike classic soap, Aleppo soap draws all its moisturizing strength from its 100% natural composition. Made up essentially of top quality olive oil, bay laurel oil, natural soda and water, this natural champion cleanses all skin types, even the most fragile, without attacking them. From babies to seniors, including those with problem skin, it is suitable for the whole family and can be used daily. For the body, the face and even the hair, Aleppo soap is all about hydration:classified as superfatted soaps, it helps to rebalance the natural hydrolipidic film of the skin and scalp. In shampoo, limit yourself to 1 to 2 uses per week. On the other hand, for the shower and the cleaning of the face, you can use it daily. However, beware of counterfeits often incorporating animal fats and chemical additives that can attack your skin.

Marseille soap:the weight of tradition

These famous large somewhat rustic soap cubes, which we have all seen enthroned on the edge of the sinks of our grandmothers, have marked our childhood. However, Marseille soap is a must in cosmetics, certainly a little outdated, but to be rehabilitated to take advantage of its benefits for our skin. Artisanal product par excellence, it is the direct descendant of Aleppo soap, as their compositions are so similar. Symbol of the South of France and the Mediterranean, Marseille soap smells of Provence and reassures with its recipe based on purely vegetable oils. Indeed, the formula must respect the proportion of 72% oil, ideally olive oil, in some cases a mixture of vegetable oils (such as palm or copra oil). Ideal for the daily shower, it soothes dry skin and helps to limit tightness or other redness. Recommended by dermatologists for the care of so-called problem skin (acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc.), it is also perfect as a shampoo to fight against dehydration of the scalp and the appearance of dandruff.

Black soap:a pure moment of relaxation

At the heart of the hammam ritual in Arab countries, black soap is emblematic of a real moment of well-being. This soap paste, with its characteristic dark color, is made up of natural ingredients that give it both cleansing and exfoliating properties. Despite the absence of "grains" in its composition, it acts as a natural skin scrub by dislodging dead cells and refining skin texture. The black soap is essentially made from olives:the fruits and the oil macerate for a few weeks in a mixture of salt and potash, giving it all its cleaning power. To take advantage of its virtues, simply apply it to the body and face (avoiding the eye and lip contour), just after a very hot shower, the pores being thus well dilated. After letting the black soap act for about ten minutes, rub your skin with a horsehair glove and rinse with cool water. Baby skin guaranteed!