Bay leaf soap is a 3,000+ year-old traditional Levantine soap that combines olive oil with bay leaf oil(Laurus nobilis essential oil). The most recognised form is Aleppo soap; Antakya, Syrian and Lebanese schools have produced their own variants for centuries. This article summarises the classic formulation, benefits, and the bay-oil supply that KRD & EKAM offers to B2B soapmakers.

Classic Aleppo Soap Formulation

  • Olive oil: 65–85% — base structure and skin moisturisation.
  • Bay leaf oil: 15–35% — antibacterial action, aroma, natural preservation.
  • NaOH (sodium hydroxide): Saponification reactant.

Higher bay-oil ratios bring more aromatic intensity, stronger antibacterial character and a premium market position. Formulations at 30%+ bay oil qualify as "premium Aleppo soap".

Cold-Process Production

  1. Weighing: Olive oil + bay oil are pre-blended; NaOH-water solution is calculated.
  2. Mixing: Oils are heated to 35–40 °C; the alkali solution is added, and the mixture is blended until trace.
  3. Moulding: Poured into wooden or silicone moulds; logo or gold stamp pressed onto the top.
  4. Cutting: After 24 hours, the slab is cut into bars.
  5. Curing: Bars cure in a cool, ventilated environment for at least 6–9 months. Traditional Aleppo style cures 12–24 months.

Benefits of Bay Leaf Soap

  • Skin care: Natural antibacterial action used in acne and skin-irritation routines.
  • Hair care: Used as an alternative shampoo for oily scalps and dandruff routines.
  • Sensitive-skin friendly: No synthetic preservatives, perfume or dye.
  • Natural aroma: Bay oil's camphor-earth note imparts the soap's characteristic scent.

Note: Aged Aleppo soap turns brown on the outside through natural oxidation — a quality marker. The interior remains olive-green for a long time.

KRD & EKAM B2B Supply

KRD & EKAM supplies olive oil and Alaçam bay oil to soapmakers as a single-source bundle. Bay oil quality is documented with GC-MS COA; the 35–50% 1,8-cineole range is ideal for cosmetic soap formulations. Export packaging is in 25 / 180 kg stainless-steel or food-grade HDPE drums.