Every year, the same pattern. The first cold days arrive, the heating comes on, and skin starts to feel tight after a shower. Arms itch, legs feel dry, cheeks turn red. Many people switch soap at that point, thinking they are helping, and move in the wrong direction.
Why skin struggles from November to March
Cold air holds less moisture than mild air. Heated indoor air holds even less. Skin loses water faster than it does in summer, while its protective layer does not thicken to compensate. Add hotter, longer showers and the skin barrier eventually gives way. That is where the tightness, the dry patches and the eczema flare-ups that only show up in winter come from.
The common claim worth correcting
You will often read, on shops and blogs alike, that you should lower the laurel berry oil content when skin is dry. The reasoning offered is that laurel is “too active”, and therefore drying. That is the opposite of what the reference chart used at Maison du Laurier says.
The higher the laurel berry oil content, the more the soap is meant for fragile skin:
- 3 to 5%: all skin types, daily use, the most affordable option
- 12 to 15%: normal or sensitive skin, everyday washing
- 20 to 25%: delicate skin that reddens or gets irritated easily
- 35 to 55%: very sensitive, allergy-prone or irritated skin, including eczema, psoriasis and acne-prone skin
Laurel content never replaces olive oil, it is added to it. Even at 35%, olive oil is still by far the largest share of the bar, with the nourishing fats that come with it. What laurel adds on top is its soothing, cleansing action on skin that is already irritated.
What to check before the percentage
The laurel figure only matters if the rest holds up. A genuine Aleppo soap contains four ingredients, no more: olive oil, laurel berry oil, soda and water. It is cooked in a copper cauldron, then left to dry for nine months before it is sold. Our master soap maker, a partner in Organic Bio Tech, only produces between November and March.
That drying time ties up cash and warehouse space. Which is exactly why, alongside genuine soaps, you find bars sold under the Aleppo name made with cheap oils, added fragrance, or a shortened cure. The ingredient list on the back is still the fastest way to sort them out: if it runs past four lines, it is not an Aleppo soap.
Adjusting your routine in practice
If your skin only feels slightly tight as the season turns, a soap around 20% laurel berry oil is plenty for body and face.
If your skin reacts clearly, with patches, itching, or eczema that returns every winter, the 40% Aleppo soap is the right pick, or the 55% version for the most severe cases. These levels are designed for the most reactive skin.
For the whole household’s daily shower, the 4-in-1 liquid Aleppo soap at 35% makes the shift into winter simpler: body, face and hands from one bottle.
Two habits round it off: turn the water temperature down, and let the bar drain between showers rather than sitting in water.
Frequently asked questions
Can a high-laurel Aleppo soap dry out the skin?
No. Laurel berry oil is added to olive oil, it does not replace it. A high level is precisely what is intended for the driest, most reactive skin. What actually dries skin out in winter is very hot water, long showers and the surfactants in conventional shower gels.
Should you switch soap between summer and winter?
Not necessarily. If your skin behaves the same way all year, keep the same level. If it becomes noticeably drier or more easily irritated as soon as the cold arrives, moving up one step in laurel content makes sense for the cold months.
Is Aleppo soap suitable for children in winter?
It is used by the whole family, with four ingredients and no added fragrance. For a child with very reactive skin, or any diagnosed skin condition, your doctor or dermatologist remains the reference. As with any soap, avoid contact with the eyes: the lather causes a stinging sensation. If contact happens, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
