Our Standards
French Soaps is driven by a simple conviction: proper soap still matters.
We work with established savonneries and independent makers whose work reflects long-standing soapmaking traditions.
Only soaps that meet our standards appear in our range.Every product is chosen for formulation integrity, material quality and everyday usefulness.
What defines the soaps we stock
• Properly saponified plant-oil soap bases
• Cruelty-free production
• Ingredients chosen for purpose rather than marketing
• Ingredients responsibly sourced, often organic
• Packaging kept simple and proportionate
Many of the oils and raw ingredients used by our savonneries are organically produced. Not all soaps carry organic certification, as formal certification can be costly for small makers, but ingredient integrity remains central to the way these soaps are produced.
Traditional soaps such as Savon de Marseille and Aleppo soap form the foundation of our range, alongside soap-based cleaners and a small number of supporting ingredients used for specific cleaning tasks.
Household Cleaning
The same principles apply to household cleaning as to personal washing.
Soap remains one of the most effective and versatile cleaning agents available. It breaks down grease, lifts dirt and rinses cleanly without the need for complex additive systems.
Products such as Savon Noir, Marseille soap and soap-based liquid cleaners extend this method across surfaces, floors and laundry.
Where needed, simple ingredients such as vinegar, citric acid and sodium percarbonate are used to address specific tasks such as descaling and stain removal.
What You Will Never Find
- Parabens
- MIT / BIT preservatives
- SLS and similar detergent surfactants
- Animal testing
- Over-formulated or unnecessarily complex products
- Excessive or decorative packaging
These are not trends. They are the natural consequence of selecting products that work properly.
The Meaning of “72% Vegetable Oils”
Savon de Marseille carries the stamp 72% vegetable oils. This refers to the proportion of saponified plant oils in the finished soap base.
The result is a dense, long-lasting soap that cleans effectively and rinses cleanly.
Many traditional fragranced Marseille-style soaps retain this same base while adding colour and fragrance for everyday use.
Vegan & Exceptions
Most of our range is suitable for vegans. Where a product is not, this is stated clearly on the product page.
Packaging
Soap bars are unwrapped or protected using low-impact materials such as gauze, kraft, FSC-certified card or paper, and cellulose.
Where bottles are used, they are recycled and recyclable.
