Marseille Soaps

Marseille Soaps

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Authentic Savon de Marseille soap 11 oz
Authentic Savon de Marseille Soap - 11oz
Savon de Marseille Vert en Cube 600g
Marseille Soap Cube 21oz – Savon de Marseille
Buy Savon de Marseille online at La Maison du Savon de Marseille
Marseille Soap Bar 4oz - Authentic Savon de Marseille

300 years of Marseille soap tradition

Our Savon de Marseille is crafted following a recipe codified over 300 years ago, when King Louis XIV's Minister Colbert issued the 1688 Edict that established the gold standard for Marseille soap: 72% vegetable oils, no animal fats, no synthetic additives. This centuries-old formula remains the foundation of every bar we produce — authentic, natural and made using the traditional hot saponification method in the South of France. Pair with our Aleppo soaps for a complete traditional soap collection.

The authentic composition: 72% plant oils, nothing more

Genuine Marseille soap contains a minimum of 72% plant oils — primarily olive oil — combined with water and plant-based lye through the hot saponification process. Our bars contain no colorants, no synthetic fragrances, no preservatives and no animal-derived ingredients. The result is a pure, biodegradable soap with remarkable cleansing and moisturizing properties, gentle enough for daily face and body use. As pure as our donkey milk soaps, formulated with the same respect for your skin.

How to recognize genuine Savon de Marseille

Not all Marseille soaps are equal. Authentic bars are stamped with "72% huile" or "a l'huile d'olive," produced in Marseille or the surrounding region, and contain no palm oil, synthetic surfactants or parabens. Our soaps meet all these criteria and are produced by master soapmakers who have carried the tradition forward for generations. Discover also our shea butter bar soaps, crafted with the same artisanal commitment.

Versatile natural soap — face, body, home and more

Savon de Marseille is one of the most versatile natural bar soaps you can own. Use it as a face cleanser, body soap, shaving soap, laundry stain remover or household cleaner. For dry or sensitive skin, pair it with our shea butter soaps for extra moisture, or explore our Aleppo soaps for their laurel-oil powered benefits.

FAQ

Authentic Savon de Marseille contains a minimum of 72% vegetable oils (predominantly olive oil), water, and plant-based lye. It contains no colorants, no synthetic fragrances, no parabens and no animal fats. This composition has been legally defined since the 1688 Edict of Colbert and has remained essentially unchanged for over 300 years.

For gentle, everyday cleansing, Marseille soap is often more effective for sensitive skin precisely because it lacks the synthetic detergents and surfactants found in most commercial soaps. These additives can strip the skin's natural barrier and cause dryness or irritation. Marseille soap cleanses thoroughly while preserving the skin's pH balance.

The key is to keep the bar dry between uses. Use a soap dish with drainage holes so the bar can air out after washing. Avoid leaving it sitting in standing water. Cutting large bars into smaller pieces and only using one section at a time also helps. Properly stored, a quality Savon de Marseille bar can last 4 to 6 weeks of regular use.

Yes — Savon de Marseille is gentle enough for daily facial cleansing, especially for normal, combination or oily skin. Its pure composition with no synthetic additives or fragrances makes it suitable for those with reactive or sensitive facial skin.

LEARN MORE

With centuries of tradition behind them, Marseille soaps are more than just cleansing bars — they’re a symbol of authentic French craftsmanship.

The story begins over 300 years ago, when soapmaking knowledge was passed from Syrian artisans to the Mediterranean region. In 1688, King Louis XIV’s Minister Colbert issued the famous Édit de Colbert, establishing the first official guidelines for Savon de Marseille. This decree banned the use of animal fats and required only vegetable oils, such as olive oil, to be used in production — setting the gold standard for soap purity.

Later, in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte implemented the first certification system for Marseille soap, requiring the phrase “À l’huile d’olive” on every authentic bar. This was one of the earliest forms of protected geographical indication for soap in France.

Today, real Marseille soaps are still made following this time-honored process. As members of the Union des Professionnels du Savon de Marseille (UPSM), we uphold these strict standards to guarantee authenticity. Every bar is made with at least 72% vegetable oil — most commonly olive oil — and contains no colorants, no fragrance, no parabens.

So, how is Marseille soap made?

Through a natural chemical process called saponification, plant-based oils react with an alkaline base, such as lye or potash, to create soap and natural glycerin. The resulting soap molecule has a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a lipophilic (oil-attracting) tail — giving Marseille soap its powerful yet gentle cleansing ability, rich lather, and biodegradable properties.

Did you know? While Savon de Marseille is the oldest hygienic soap still in use in France, the name isn’t protected — meaning many commercial products use the term "Marseille" without following any traditional process. Only a few soapmakers, including UPSM-certified ones, continue the true legacy.

Discover the timeless purity of authentic Marseille soap — minimal, natural, effective.