Why choose fragrance-free soap?

There are many reasons for choosing soap without added fragrance. Some people simply prefer it, while others are avoiding fragrance because of an allergy or sensitivity, a skin condition or advice they have been given, including during some cancer treatments. We regularly hear from customers who first changed to Traditional Savon de Marseille or Aleppo Soap when their skin had become particularly sensitive and have continued using it long afterwards.

Fragrance-free soap isn't one particular type of soap, however. Removing added fragrance still leaves considerable differences in the oils, ingredients and methods used to make it, which is why we stock a much wider choice than just one or two fragrance-free bars.

Does fragrance-free mean allergen-free?

No, but it is a good indicator. Fragrance-free means that no fragrance has been added to the soap; it doesn't mean that every ingredient will be suitable for everybody. If you have a known allergy or are avoiding a particular ingredient, always check the individual ingredient list.

Some soaps do go further. Fer à Cheval describes its Traditional Savon de Marseille as hypoallergenic, while Tadé recommends particular Pure Aleppo Soaps for sensitive skin and skin prone to eczema and psoriasis. We include the formulation, ingredients and relevant information from the maker on individual product pages so you can make a more informed choice.

Which fragrance-free soap should I choose?

There isn't one fragrance-free formulation that is right for everybody. Traditional Savon de Marseille is is a remarkably versatile everyday soap. Pure Aleppo Soap combines olive and laurel oils, with different percentages of laurel oil available depending on what you are looking for.

Beyond these two historic soaps, you'll find fragrance-free bars made with different vegetable oils and added ingredients including shea butter and olive oil. The differences aren't simply about which feels nicest or produces the most lather: formulation, ingredients and method all influence the finished soap, giving you a genuine choice while remaining fragrance-free.