Marseille soap, or “Savon de Marseille” in French, has a rich and centuries-old history dating back to the 17th century in the city of Marseille, in the south of France. It is one of the oldest traditional soaps in the world, known for its high quality and natural ingredients.
The production of Marseille soap began in the 17th century when a law was enacted to regulate its manufacture. This law stipulated that Marseille soap must contain at least 72% vegetable oil, typically olive oil, and 28% other ingredients, such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and water. The combination of oil and caustic soda in soap production triggers a chemical reaction called saponification, which transforms these ingredients into soap.
Marseille soap was originally produced in large vats and left to air dry for several weeks, often on the rooftops of houses in Marseille. This gave it its characteristic light green color and its cube or bar shape. Over the centuries, Marseille soap has been used for personal hygiene, laundry, and many other household applications. It has remained true to its traditional formula and gained a reputation for being gentle on the skin and environmentally friendly.
Marseille soap has endured through the ages, and despite the evolution of the personal care industry, it remains a popular and cherished product both in France and around the world. Today, it is produced in various forms, including liquid soaps and those enriched with various natural ingredients, but the essence of its original formula and its legacy of quality continue to stand the test of time.