Mediterranean breezes swirl down the streets of Aleppo in Syria, carrying with them a spicy blend of old-world fragrances that are impossible to pin down. You might pick up black pepper, jasmine, pomegranate, fresh pine... the everyday aromas of Cleopatra. Whatever you discover, it’s a trip for the senses worth experiencing over and over. And our Aleppo soap makes it possible.
You might wonder, how can soap made in Indiana be called Aleppo soap? It’s all about the recipe. The star of traditional Aleppo soap is laurel oil, which is emulsified with olive oil and lye to form an ultra-creamy, ultra-cleansing bar that is individually stamped at the end of a nine-month drying process. This recipe is among the oldest soaps, thought to have been developed in Syria during the time of the Romans before it moved west across Europe after the Crusades.
Laurel is an evergreen tree that grows around the Mediterranean (think laurel wreath). It produces small, dark red berries, from the pulp of which is extracted the famous laurel berry oil. Every hair stylist and skin specialist in antiquity hunted down this essential oil for its cleansing power and anti-septic properties that keep skin and hair free of bacteria long after each use.
More well-known today is olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants that help prevent aging skin and contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. With a combination of these oils, it’s no wonder why the intensely moisturizing Aleppo soap is so beneficial for sensitive or damaged skin.
And then along comes camel’s milk, our signature touch to this otherwise perfect recipe. It brings to the party alpha hydroxyl acids to (these remove dead skin cells) and its own anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties (and so much more!).
Ready to give it a try? Perhaps the best part is that you don’t have to fly across the world to experience the final result. It’s all made right here at the farm with the highest quality ingredients and can be purchased on our website or picked up in person.
Laura Rothhaar contributed to this piece - THANKS!
Photo by Laura Rothhaar
Comments