Aleppo soap:
How can you tell the real thing from the fake?
For several years now, Aleppo soap has been praised for its many benefits. It can be used in cosmetics or for household cleaning, much like vinegar or baking soda.
Due to its popularity, Aleppo soap is often counterfeited. In fact, the name is not protected by regulations. So, how can you tell the real thing from the fakes?
1. INGREDIENTS:
Authentic Aleppo soap is made with olive oil and laurel berry oil. If you see “palm oil” or “coconut oil” listed on the label, put the soap back and walk away, because these ingredients have no place in Aleppo soap. The recipe for Aleppo soap is very simple: it consists of no more than four ingredients—olive oil, laurel berry oil, natural soda, and water. Be wary of liquid Aleppo soaps that contain chemical additives such as BHT or hydroxide.
Warning: very often, so-called “Aleppo” soaps sold in stores are made from animal fats, which have the tendency to clog pores and thus cause pimples and other skin issues. For your Aleppo soap, opt for a plant-based formula.
So, if an Aleppo soap is really cheap, check what oil it’s made with. Quality comes at a price.
2. THE DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES OF LAUREL BERRY OIL:
Check the laurel berry oil content. Opt for a content of 10 to 20% if you have combination skin, and 35% if your skin is acne-prone. Indeed, it is the laurel berry oil that gives Aleppo soap its purifying and anti-acne properties. You can also use it as a shampoo twice a week to address issues with oily hair.
3. SODA CONTENT:
Another point to watch out for: if the soda content exceeds 0.5%, the soap will irritate your skin and dry it out excessively.
4. COLOR AND SMELL:
Finally, be wary of the soap’s appearance. Many counterfeit Aleppo soaps come from the Maghreb. Manufacturers give them an authentic, artisanal look to deceive consumers. Aleppo soap should be light or dark brown in color, and the center of the bar should be emerald green.
Don’t hesitate to smell the soap: genuine Aleppo soap has a slightly pungent odor that may throw some people off. But rest assured, you’ll get used to it very quickly. Unlike traditional soaps, Aleppo soap floats in water. Since oil is lighter than water, this is easily explained. Try it in your bath: your Aleppo soap should float!
5. ORIGIN AND THE ARABIC SEAL:
Genuine Aleppo soap bears a seal written in Arabic on one side, that of the master soap maker who crafted it. Authentic Aleppo soap is made in Syria, in Aleppo (logically). So make sure it isn’t from China or Turkey, as is all too often the case.
Now you have everything you need to buy authentic Aleppo soap. So, what are you waiting for?
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