Savon de Marseille: The Ultimate Zero-Waste, Sustainable Soap

Savon de Marseille is more than just soap—it's a timeless symbol of sustainability, simplicity, and French craftsmanship. Made in Marseille, this iconic olive oil-based soap has been produced using the same age-old techniques for over 600 years.

What makes it unique? Its purity. Authentic Savon de Marseille contains only a few key ingredients:

• Olive oil (or occasionally palm or coconut oil)

• Water

• Sea salt

• Alkaline ash (sodium hydroxide)

Free from synthetic additives, preservatives, colorants, and fragrances, Savon de Marseille is biodegradable, gentle on skin, and exceptionally long-lasting.

Proper Traditional Savon de Marseille is cooked in large cauldrons using the ancestral "Marseille method," which involves many stages and takes around two weeks to make.

This artisanal method energy-intensive but highly efficient in yield and waste management. Our 'original' Savonneries (soap factories), Fer a Cheval and La Corvette, have been investing in ways to produce the soap using up to 40% less water to lower their environmental foot print without compromising the quality of product or the craft and expertise. They commit to:

• Local sourcing of raw materials

• Zero synthetic waste

• Closed-loop water systems

• Use of renewable energy

Savon de Marseille aligns naturally with zero-waste lifestyles:

Sold in solid blocks, slices, or loose pieces, authentic Savon de Marseille requires no plastic packaging. Many retailers wrap bars in recycled kraft paper and for export Fer a Cheval wrap some in cellulose, which is fully compostable and biodegradable. [ Savonnerie du Midi and FouFour use plastic, at French Soaps we do not stock these products or brands, they are available on Amazon and Ebay in the UK]. 

One bar replaces multiple products:

• Body wash

• Facial cleanser

• Shampoo

• Shaving soap

• Laundry detergent

• Household cleaner

Its versatility reduces the need for separate bottled products.

It breaks down naturally in water and doesn’t pollute waterways, unlike conventional soaps that contain sulfates, microplastics, and artificial surfactants.

Savon de Marseille is extremely dense and slow to dissolve, which means one block can last for months—reducing consumption and packaging waste.

While traditional Savon de Marseille is made with 100% olive oil, there is a variation that is made with palm oil or palm kernel oil, often labeled as "Savon de Marseille à l'huile de palme" or "vegetal" and looks beige in colour.

Palm oil raises environmental red flags:

• Deforestation of tropical rainforests

• Loss of biodiversity

• Carbon emissions from land clearing

Some certified producers use RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified oil. However, the safest eco-option is to look for:

• Savon de Marseille "pur olive"

• Soaps labeled "72% d'huile d'olive"

Supporting local soapmakers who adhere strictly to traditional formulations also supports lower-impact, regional agriculture. The 'Natural' Savon de Marseille we import to the UK is made with RSPO Palm and Coconut Oil.

Savon de Marseille is a textbook example of circular design:

• Low-input production: Few ingredients, low waste

• Minimal output: No toxic by-products

• Multipurpose: One product, many uses

• Compostable & recyclable packaging

• Local economy support: Encourages small-scale farming and artisanal manufacturing

It exemplifies the Provençal ethos of frugality and respect for nature, passed down through generations.

Savon de Marseille is naturally hypoallergenic, making it ideal for:

• Sensitive skin

• Babies

• People with eczema or psoriasis

• Those allergic to fragrances or preservatives

It is free from SLS, parabens, synthetic fragrance, and other common irritants found in mass-market soaps.

Though deeply rooted in Provence, Savon de Marseille has gained global admiration as a clean, sustainable lifestyle product. In a world plagued by overconsumption and plastic pollution, this ancient soap offers a vision of low-impact living that doesn’t sacrifice quality or luxury.

By choosing Savon de Marseille, you're not only caring for your skin—you’re making a conscious environmental choice. Yes, your product is driven from Marseille to us in North Yorkshire, however this is minimal in the context of any readily available high street or supermarket soap.

When shopping for Savon de Marseille:

• Look for "Savonnerie de Marseille" logos or labels

• Choose products made by one of the four founding members of the Union des Professionnels du Savon de Marseille (UPSM):

  • Fer à Cheval

  • La Corvette (Savonnerie du Midi)

  • Maurius Fabre

  • Le Sérail

• Look for Cubes labeled "72% d'huile" 

• Avoid soaps with added synthetic fragrances or bright colours, these are not the same product

1. Ingredients:

• Choose bars made with 100% olive oil or clearly labeled as "72% d'huile d'olive"

• Avoid products with synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, or palm oil unless RSPO certified

2. Shape & Size:

• Classic cubes (300g to 2kg) are traditional and long-lasting

• Sliced bars and travel sizes are convenient for on-the-go or smaller households

3. Packaging

• Plastic-Free, compostale, recyclable or unwrapped.

• Look for brands that offer bulk or refill options for liquid versions

4. Multipurpose Use:

• For skincare: Choose pure olive oil versions

• For household use: Try soap with palm/coconut oil or Marseille black liquid soap for better lather and cleaning

5. Trusted Brands:

• Stick with UPSM-approved makers or traditional Provençal soapmakers with full transparency on sourcing and manufacturing

6. Certifications:

• Look for ECOCERT, RSPO, or UPSM seals where applicable

Proper Traditional Savon de Marseille is a testament to the power of simplicity and tradition. In a time when sustainability is more crucial than ever, this humble soap stands out as a genuinely eco-conscious choice.

With just a handful of natural ingredients, zero plastic waste, and deep cultural roots in Provence, it offers an authentic alternative to chemical-laden, over-packaged modern products.

Choose Savon de Marseille for zero waste, versatile soap.