Aleppo Soap for Eczema, Acne, and Sensitive Skin. When your skin is prone to irritation, breakouts, or dryness, choosing the right cleanser can feel like an endless search. Many commercial soaps and face washes contain harsh detergents that make the problem worse. That’s where Aleppo soap comes in. Handmade in Syria for over 2,000 years, this natural soap has earned a reputation for being especially effective for people with eczema, acne, and sensitive skin.
What Is Aleppo Soap?
Aleppo soap is made from just four ingredients: olive oil, laurel oil, water, and lye. After the soap is boiled, poured, and cut, it’s left to cure for months — sometimes up to a year. The result is a hard, long-lasting bar that looks brown on the outside and green on the inside.
What makes Aleppo soap unique is the addition of laurel oil, which gives the soap its distinct herbal scent and therapeutic properties. Depending on the bar, laurel oil can make up anywhere from 2% to 40% of the soap.
Why Aleppo Soap Works for Eczema
Eczema is often aggravated by chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and detergents found in regular soaps. Aleppo soap avoids all of these irritants. The olive oil base moisturises and soothes dry patches, while laurel oil helps reduce redness and irritation.
Because it’s so mild, Aleppo soap won’t strip the skin of its natural oils — an important factor in managing eczema. Many people find that switching to Aleppo soap helps calm flare-ups and keep their skin more balanced.
Aleppo Soap and Acne
Acne-prone skin often benefits from Aleppo soap thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Laurel oil naturally fights bacteria that can lead to breakouts, while olive oil hydrates without clogging pores.
Unlike harsh acne cleansers that can leave skin dry and tight, Aleppo soap cleanses gently, helping regulate oil production without over-drying. Over time, this balance can lead to fewer breakouts and a clearer complexion.
Relief for Sensitive Skin
If your skin reacts to perfumes, dyes, or chemical additives, Aleppo soap is a safe alternative. With no synthetic ingredients, it’s hypoallergenic and non-irritating. Its creamy, low-foam lather is gentle enough for daily use on the face and body — even for babies and children with delicate skin.
For those with psoriasis or rosacea, the soothing properties of olive and laurel oils can also bring comfort and relief.
Choosing the Right Aleppo Soap
Not all Aleppo soaps are the same — the percentage of laurel oil makes a difference:
Low laurel oil (5–10%): Best for sensitive or very dry skin.
Medium laurel oil (15–25%): Good balance for everyday use, suitable for most skin types.
High laurel oil (30–40%): Stronger antibacterial properties, ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.
Experimenting with different strengths can help you find the perfect match for your needs.
More Than Just a Cleanser
Another advantage of Aleppo soap is its versatility. It can be used as a facial cleanser, body soap, shampoo, or shaving soap, making it a multi-purpose solution for anyone with sensitive skin. This not only reduces the number of products you need but also limits exposure to unnecessary chemicals.
Authentic Aleppo Soap in the UK
Because of its popularity, Aleppo soap is often imitated. Authentic bars are handmade, naturally cured, and stamped with Arabic script. They always have a brown crust with a green centre.
At Soapness.co.uk, we source genuine Aleppo soap directly from Syrian producers, ensuring you get the full benefits of this ancient, skin-friendly tradition.