Aleppo Soap Laurel Oil Percentage: How to Choose the Right Blend

Shop for Aleppo soap and one number keeps appearing on the label: the laurel oil percentage. You will see bars advertised as 20%, 40%, even 60% laurel — and it is rarely explained what that figure actually means or which one you should buy. It is the single biggest difference between one genuine Aleppo soap and another, so it is worth understanding before you choose.

This guide explains what the laurel oil percentage tells you, how the scale works from mild to rich, and how to match a bar to your skin, your hair and your routine.

What laurel oil is — and what it does in the soap

Traditional Aleppo soap is made from just three things: olive oil, water and lye, plus laurel berry oil (Lorbeeröl) pressed from the fruit of the bay laurel tree. The olive oil forms the gentle, moisturising base; the laurel oil is the prized, aromatic addition that gives Aleppo soap its herbal, woody scent, its faintly green colour and its characterful lather.

Laurel oil is harder to harvest and far more expensive than olive oil, which is why the percentage matters commercially as well as practically: the more laurel a bar contains, the more precious and, traditionally, the more sought-after it is. But higher is not automatically better for everyone — it depends entirely on what you want the soap to do.

The laurel oil percentage scale

Think of the percentage as a dial running from soft and mild to rich and intense. Here is what each part of the range is like in the hand.

Low laurel: around 2–20%

These bars are dominated by olive oil, so they are the softest and mildest of the family. The scent is gentle, the lather is creamy and low, and the character is close to a classic olive oil soap with just a whisper of laurel. They are an easy, inexpensive starting point and suit those who want the lightest possible wash for the face and body.

Medium laurel: around 20–40%

This is the everyday sweet spot, and the range most people reach for. At roughly 40% you get a noticeable, pleasantly herbal laurel scent, a fuller lather and more of that signature Aleppo character — while the generous olive oil content keeps the bar cushioning and well balanced. It is versatile enough for face, body, hands and hair without leaning to either extreme. Our own Aleppo soap with 40% laurel oil and 60% olive oil sits right here, which is why it works as a single bar for almost the whole household.

High laurel: 40–60% and above

The high end is the connoisseur’s choice. The scent is deep and forest-like, the lather is dense, and the bar feels rich and pronounced. Because there is less olive oil to soften them, these soaps are more intense and are prized by long-time Aleppo users, particularly for hair and scalp washing. They are also the most expensive, since laurel oil is the costly ingredient. For a first bar they can feel like a lot; once you know you love laurel, they are a treat.

Which laurel percentage should you choose?

There is no single “best” percentage, only the best one for you. Match it to how you plan to use the soap.

For everyday face and body

A medium bar of around 40% is the most forgiving all-rounder. It gives you the aromatic laurel experience and a satisfying lather while the olive oil keeps the wash cushioning and balanced for daily use across the whole family.

For hair and scalp

People who wash their hair with Aleppo soap often gravitate towards a higher laurel percentage over time, drawn to the denser lather and the herbal scent. If you are new to washing your hair with a solid bar, start at 40%, see how your hair responds through the adjustment period, and move up only if you want a richer, more laurel-forward wash.

For a rich, spa-style wash

If you already know you love the deep, woody laurel aroma and a dense lather, a high-laurel bar (50–60%+) turns an everyday shower into something more indulgent. Keep it dry between uses so it lasts.

How to read the label and spot the real thing

The percentage is only meaningful if the soap is genuine. Look for a short, honest ingredient list — olive oil, laurel oil, water and sodium hydroxide (lye), with nothing synthetic added. A real bar is olive-green inside and pale gold to brown on the outside from years of curing, and it should carry a natural, herbal scent rather than a perfumed one. Beware suspiciously cheap bars claiming a very high laurel percentage: laurel oil is costly, so an implausible price usually means the figure is optimistic. Well-made Aleppo soap is also cured for years, which is part of what makes it so mild. Our bars, for example, are hand-cut and matured for at least four years before they reach you.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of laurel oil is best for hair?

There is no universal figure. Many people who wash their hair with Aleppo soap prefer a higher laurel content for its denser lather and stronger scent, but a balanced 40% bar is an excellent, gentler place to begin. Start there, give your hair time to adjust, and increase the percentage only if you want a richer wash.

Is a higher laurel percentage always better?

No. Higher laurel means a more intense scent, a denser lather and a higher price, but it also means less softening olive oil. A medium bar around 40% is more versatile and more forgiving for everyday face and body washing, while very high percentages are best kept for those who already know they love laurel.

What laurel oil percentage does Jegit’s Aleppo soap have?

Our Aleppo soap is made with 40% laurel oil and 60% olive oil — the balanced, everyday ratio — and cured for at least four years so it reaches you mild and mellow. It is designed to work as one bar for face, body, hands, hair and even laundry.

The laurel oil percentage is really a question of taste and use, not a score to max out. Start balanced, learn what your skin and hair enjoy, and let your next bar follow your preference. Pure olive and laurel oil, cured with patience and nothing added — that is Aleppo soap the way it has always been made. Pour La Vie.