How Much Laurel Oil Should Aleppo Soap Have? A Guide to Choosing the Right Percentage

If you have ever shopped for authentic Aleppo soap, you will have noticed the numbers: 20%, 40%, even 60% laurel oil. For newcomers this can be confusing. Is more always better? Does a higher percentage mean a superior bar? And which one is right for your skin, your hair or your face? The laurel oil content is the single most important factor in how an Aleppo soap behaves, so it is worth understanding before you buy.

This guide explains what the laurel oil percentage actually tells you, how the different levels compare, and how to choose the blend that suits you. By the end you will be able to read any Aleppo soap label with confidence.

What Aleppo Soap Is Made Of

Traditional Aleppo soap has only three functional ingredients: olive oil, laurel (bay) berry oil and an alkali (traditionally lye from plant ash) that turns the oils into soap during saponification. There are no synthetic fragrances, colourants or hardeners in a genuine bar. Our own Aleppo soap is made this way and matured for four years, which is what gives an authentic bar its mild, long-lasting character.

The olive oil forms the gentle, cleansing base. The laurel oil is the prized, more expensive component: it is what gives Aleppo soap its distinctive earthy, woody scent and its rich, conditioning feel. Because laurel oil costs considerably more than olive oil, the percentage on the label is also a rough guide to the price and grade of the bar.

What the Laurel Oil Percentage Means

The percentage simply tells you how much of the oil content is laurel oil rather than olive oil. A 40% bar, for example, is made from roughly 40% laurel oil and 60% olive oil. The higher the laurel proportion, the more pronounced the soap’s scent and its rich, almost balm-like lather – and the higher the price.

It helps to think of the percentage as a dial between two qualities. Olive oil brings mildness and a soft, creamy wash. Laurel oil brings aroma, a more active cleansing feel and a luxurious quality that many people prize for the face and hair. Neither is “better” in absolute terms; the right balance depends entirely on what you want from the bar.

Comparing the Common Levels

Low laurel content (around 12–20%)

These are the mildest and most affordable bars. With a high proportion of olive oil, they produce a soft, gentle wash with only a light laurel scent. They are a sensible starting point if you are new to Aleppo soap, have very sensitive or reactive skin, or want an everyday body bar for the whole family.

Medium laurel content (around 25–40%)

This is the sweet spot for most people and the level many consider the classic all-rounder. A 40% bar such as ours balances the gentleness of olive oil with a generous, characterful dose of laurel oil. It is versatile enough for the body, face and hair, with a noticeable but not overpowering aroma. If you want one bar that does it all, this is usually the range to choose.

High laurel content (around 50–60% and above)

These premium bars have a strong, resinous laurel scent and a particularly rich feel. Enthusiasts often reserve them for the face and hair, or for use as a treatment bar. Because laurel oil is expensive, these command the highest prices. The intense aroma is not to everyone’s taste, so they are best approached once you already know you enjoy laurel oil.

Which Percentage Should You Choose?

Start with how you plan to use the soap. For a gentle daily body wash, or for children and sensitive skin, a lower or medium percentage is comfortable and economical. For a single versatile bar to use from head to toe, a 40% laurel oil bar is the classic choice and the one we recommend to most first-time buyers.

If you specifically want the soap for your hair or as a facial cleansing bar, and you already enjoy the earthy laurel scent, a higher percentage delivers that richer experience. Bear in mind that a stronger bar is not automatically “more effective” for everyone – skin varies, and the mildness of a well-made olive-oil-rich bar suits many people better. When in doubt, the middle of the range is the safest and most rewarding place to begin.

Quality Signs Beyond the Percentage

The laurel figure is important, but it is not the whole story. A genuinely good Aleppo soap should also be properly aged – traditional bars are matured for one to four years, which mellows the soap and hardens it so it lasts longer in the shower. Look for a golden-brown exterior and the characteristic green interior revealed when the bar is cut. It should list only oils and the saponifying agent, with no added synthetic fragrance or colour. A trustworthy percentage on the label, combined with these signs, is your best assurance of authenticity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a higher laurel oil percentage always better?

No. A higher percentage means a stronger scent, a richer feel and a higher price, but it is not universally “better”. Many people find a medium bar around 40% more comfortable for everyday use, while very sensitive skin often prefers a milder, olive-oil-rich bar.

What laurel percentage is best for hair?

People who use Aleppo soap on their hair often prefer a medium to high laurel content, from around 40% upwards, for its richer, more conditioning feel. If you are trying it for the first time, a 40% bar is a balanced place to start before moving higher.

Why is high-laurel Aleppo soap more expensive?

Laurel berry oil is far more costly and labour-intensive to produce than olive oil. The more laurel oil a bar contains, the higher its raw material cost, which is reflected in the retail price. That is why a 60% bar typically costs noticeably more than a 20% one.

Pour La Vie

Once you understand the laurel oil percentage, choosing an Aleppo soap becomes simple: match the balance to your skin and how you like to wash. A well-made bar needs nothing more than olive oil, laurel oil and time – no additives, no shortcuts. That is the philosophy behind every bar we make, and the meaning of Pour La Vie: pure, honest care with a story you can trust.