Authentic Marseille Soap: A Complete Guide to Its Uses and Benefits
If there’s one essential item you need in your eco-friendly bathroom, it’s this. Authentic Marseille soap has stood the test of time without losing its appeal. Zero-waste, hypoallergenic and biodegradable, this traditional product is a Swiss Army knife of natural hygiene and cleaning. How can you use it effectively in your daily routine? The Salle d'ô shop reveals all its secrets.
Contents
1. Uses for the body and facial care
Made exclusively from vegetable oils (often olive oil), traditional Marseille soap is renowned for its purifying and protective properties.
Daily hygiene for sensitive skin
Unlike industrial shower gels packed with synthetic surfactants, Marseille soap cleanses gently without damaging the skin’s hydrolipidic film. It is particularly recommended by dermatologists for skin prone to eczema or psoriasis.
Natural shaving
Gentlemen (and ladies!), you can use your bar of soap to work up a rich lather with a beechwood shaving brush. Its creamy lather helps the blade glide smoothly and reduces razor burn.
Advice from the Salle d'ô team: For showering, opt for our family-size products such as our Fer à Cheval Marseille liquid soap, boiled in a cauldron and naturally glycerine-rich.
2. An eco-friendly ally for the whole house
Marseille soap isn’t just for the bathroom. It’s also a key ingredient in natural household cleaning (the famous “Do It Yourself”).
- Making your own laundry detergent: By melting shavings of Marseille soap in hot water with a little bicarbonate of soda, you get a hypoallergenic laundry detergent, ideal for baby’s clothes.
- Washing up: Rub your washable organic cotton sponge directly onto your block of green Marseille soap. It removes grease from dishes perfectly without polluting the waste water.
- Powerful fabric stain remover: For stubborn stains (blood, grass, grease), rub the stain dry with a piece of soap that is slightly damp before putting the garment in the washing machine.
3. How can you recognise genuine Marseille soap?
Beware of counterfeits! As the name is not fully protected, many soaps labelled “Marseille” come from the other side of the world and contain animal fat or chemical additives. To avoid being misled, check these 4 key criteria:
| Criterion | What genuine soap must contain |
|---|---|
| Composition | Strictly a minimum of 72% vegetable oils (olive, coconut or palm). No fragrance, no colouring, no preservatives. |
| The shape | Traditionally a cube or a block, stamped on all 6 sides. |
| Place of manufacture | Made in cauldrons in the Marseille region (by soap factories that are members of the UPSM, such as Fer à Cheval). |
| The scent | A raw, natural scent of olive oil, a far cry from harsh synthetic fragrances. |
4. Frequently asked questions about Marseille soap
Why is Marseille soap green or white?
Green Marseille soap is made from olive oil (ideal for the skin and body). White or beige Marseille soap is generally made from palm or coconut oil, making it very effective and more economical for laundry.
Does Marseille soap go off?</h4
No, it doesn’t have an expiry date. On the contrary, as it dries over time, the water evaporates: it becomes harder, lathers a little less, but lasts much longer when used!