France’s Gold: Savon de Marseille
Savon de Marseilles has been around for centuries and today we’ll tell you all you need to know about France’s unique artisanal soap…
So Many Uses
Savon de Marseille has been a staple in French homes since the 1600s. Ever since, it has been historically used for scrubbing laundry and dishes, cleaning stone floors, and washing hands. That’s right, one soap for all of these uses - one of the many reasons we love it so much here at Les Fleurs!
It’s economical and eco-friendly - one block of soap lasts twice as long as any other bar of soap, and it’s entirely biodegradable!
France’s Favorite Soap
Why have the French embraced this soap? Savon de Marseille is loved for being versatile as well as gentle on the skin. It’s recommended by dermatologists for irritated skin as it contains no dyes or perfumes. It makes so much lather that it can be used as a shampoo or shaving soap. Thanks to its extra pure vegetable composition, it can be used as a daily wash for babies and acne-prone skin, and it’s is safe for people with eczema.
The History Behind the Soap
Did you know that a Savon de Marseille soap can only be stamped with the iconic emblem if it’s fabricated in the Marseille region in France, and made by master soap makers who have received years of training? It also must be composed of only four ingredients: a minimum of 72% vegetable oil, along with sea salt, water and soda. It takes more than two weeks to make savon de Marseille using the traditional cauldron method.
Old Craft, New Varieties
Over the years, Savon de Marseille has evolved. Today, you can find colorful varieties of soap with essential oils, in both bar and liquid form!
Liquid Marseille soaps with essential oils of lavender, rose, verbena and almond are some of the favorites at our shop.
So, have we convinced you? We hope you’ve learned something about the ancient artisanal craft and the wonderful qualities of savon de Marseille.
If you have any suggestions on other uses for this gentle soap, please share with us below!
XOXO,
The Fleurettes