Savon de Marseille
Since the Middle Ages, traÂdiÂtional Marseille Soap has been made in the South of France using strict ancient methÂods, with only a few soap facÂtoÂries near Marseille still proÂducÂing it this way. This legÂendary soap, made with olive and vegÂetable oils, alkaÂline ash, and sea salted water, is praised for its purity and genÂtle skin care propÂerÂties, and is recÂomÂmended by derÂmaÂtolÂoÂgists worldÂwide for varÂiÂous skin conÂdiÂtions.
Big blocks of olive oil based soap have been crafted since the Middle Ages in the South of France. In 1688 it became law that only soaps made accordÂing to strict, ancient methÂods could be labeled Savon de Marseille (Marseille Soap).
Only a few savonÂnerÂies (soap facÂtoÂries) near Marseille still make this legÂendary soap in the traÂdiÂtional manÂner. But Marseille Soap is once again being redisÂcovÂered for its purity and genÂtle skin care, and its popÂuÂlarÂity is on the rise worldÂwide.
It takes the Maitre de Savon (soapÂmasÂter) two weeks to make Marseille Soap. The delÂiÂcate mixÂture of olive and vegÂetable oils, alkaÂline ash from sea plants and Mediterranean Sea salted water are heated for ten days in antique caulÂdrons, then poured into open pits where it hardÂens. Cut into cubes and stamped, the soaps are then set out to dry in the sun and misÂtral winds.
The fine white powÂder on the surÂface of the soap is a bit of the sea salt, which will disÂapÂpear once the soap is wet. This beloved charÂacÂterÂisÂtic affirms the authenÂticÂity of genÂuine Savon de Marseille. Fresh Marseille Soap can be a bit moist. Allowing it to dry and harden will make it last longer.
Savon de Marseille is traÂdiÂtionÂally green or white. The white soap is made with palm oil, the green with at least 50 perÂcent olive oil. Both variÂeties are said to be genÂtle for all skin types.
Savon de Marseille is recÂomÂmended by derÂmaÂtolÂoÂgists throughÂout the world for dry skin and other ailÂments. In France it has been trusted for genÂerÂaÂtions to cleanse everyÂthing from linens to litÂtle faces.
Savon de Marseille is totally biodegradÂable, requires litÂtle packÂagÂing and its manÂuÂfacÂture is enviÂronÂmenÂtally friendly. Authentic Marseille Soap is stamped with its weight in grams — a pracÂtice left over from years ago which allowed houseÂholds to comÂpare prices and plan their invenÂtoÂries.