Savon De Marseille Soap 21.1 Oz 72% Olive Oil - Marius Fabre

Not a soap connoisseur here. Just a guy who has some skin trouble, is tired of every synthetic thing under the sun, wanted to try something tried and true.This soap smells great, feels great, lathers well, and the giant block lasts a long time. It is a touch drying, but despite that my skin loves it. I was not expecting this soap to be anywhere near as good as it is. Ingredients are 72% olive oil and some coconut oil, saponified with vegetable-ash lye; sea salt; and water. I don't know why it smells so good - none of the things I mentioned seem like they ought to have this light, soapy fragrance - but it really does.I will buy another block in a few months, when this one is finally done.EDIT: I am updating this review to reflect my increasing pleasure and joy in using this soap. I already gave the product 5 stars; I wish I could give it 6. I had originally just been using it as a kitchen hand soap, but I took it into the shower a few days ago, though I worried it might dry my skin out. Nope - it works perfectly well as a body soap, conditioner, and shampoo. It is gentle on all the exposed mucous membranes of the body - it does sting if you get it in your eyes. However, it rinses off easily and quickly and leaves hair and skin supple and soft, not stripped of natural oils. I have occasionally used olive oil as a skin moisturizer and this soap leaves my skin feeling the same way.Another reviewer endorsed this soap because she didn't want to be applying "someone's chemistry experiment" to her skin. I have come along to feeling the same way. I didn't even know about this soap; I wouldn't know about it, except that I visited central Spain a few months ago, and that area is famous for Castile soap, which as a physician, I know is one of the few things safe for use as an enema. So I was interested in learning about Castile soap, and that Wikipedia article led me to Marseille soap, and that led me here.You ever get the feeling that we're off track as a civilization, inventing ever newer and fancier ways to screw ourselves up, when the old tried and true standbys languish, available but abandoned on the march to ever more relentless consumer capitalism? No? OK, just me then. Get some of this soap anyway. It's totally excellent.EDIT 2: I've learned that Marseille soap made by Marius Fabre comes in two recipes. One is 72% olive oil, like this one; a light green color; beautiful fragrance; and says "72% Extra Pur" stamped into the block of soap. The other kind has palm oil (sodium palmate is the ingredient on the label), does not say 72% extra pur, is tan colored, and smells different, not as nice. The palm oil soap is also more drying on the skin and I can't use it - Fabre themselves recommend it as a laundry soap. As far as I can tell, in France the palm oil stuff is cheaper.I've gotten the palm oil soap at least once when what I ordered was the olive oil soap; so, buyer beware!

EXCELLENT SOAP. People who say it smells strange are unfamiliar with this type of soap, which lacks the myriad of synthetic fragrances which pollute the majority of soaps today. The smell it has for less than 48 hours after opening is nothing like gasoline. It's a sharp, but not unpleasant smell, and it comes from the soda and the olive oil- two of perhaps eight ingredients used to make the soap. After 48 hours, you don't really smell it unless you're in the shower with it or holding it to your nose.I have very sensitive skin, I even have some problems with dove's fragrance free hypoalllergenic line. This soap is simple, natural, and healthy, with only the ingredients necessary to clean, remove excess oils, but also moisturize your skin. You can also use it in your hair, unlike most bar soaps. I even use it when I shave, as the soap thickens and foams so much with water that I have to keep the bar in a dish above the shower's stream of water.That's the only real issue with this soap, I suppose. It can really fall apart in water. I just keep it away from water when I'm not using it, and dice the larger bars so I don't use it up too quickly.If you want to smell like flowers or something, you can always give yourself a couple squirts of cologne or something after showering. It's not like you'll smell like olive oil when you're done showering. You'll smell like nothing at all- clean.Seriously, this is the only soap I buy, I don't bother with shaving cream any more and I only use one shampoo/conditioner other than this soap. For eczema sufferers, it's that good.

For years I've been wanting to make my own soap. Simple, olive oil and lye. Extra chemicals make me angry. But I've never found time to make soap. I've become aware of all the chemicals in everything we use daily. Read the ingredients on a normal store bought bar of soap, or a supplement. Titanium dioxide? Isn't that what my drill bits are made of? Did caveman eat titanium dioxide? Did they rub it all over their bodies? Does the body know how to handle Titanium? Then I saw a travel show that went to Marseille France to a soap factory. Just what I've been looking for, soap, nothing else. Thank you. At first the smell is a little off putting, then you realize that is what soap smells like. Great soap in the shower, lathers well, rinses well, seems easy on the skin. The 600 gram block is a bit big, I'd recommend 300 gram for the shower, and only purchase if it is green. There are sellers selling palm oil soap blocks by other manufacturers as olive oil. It should say olive oil on the block as this one does. I like the smell of the soap now.

First time using, switching to bars to avoid single-use plastic. Loving this item. Its huge and lasts! Can even wet down and use as dishwasher soap. Smell is not strong. If you get close and smell it, it is unusual. Kind of like a smokey hay smell. I didnt mind it and thought it was rather earthy. Doesnt matter smell doesnt linger and does the job better than other soaps i have tried.

This is a huge block of soap. It lathers up nicely, works great, made out of good stuff. There is a lot to like except how it smells. Some reviewer said it smells like a tire shop. That is a perfect description. I still like it. So if smell isn't a deal breaker this is your soap.

I personally recommend this Made in France soap. I've seen some knock-offs which I wouldn't purchase but this one seems to be the real deal. Skin feels softer and cleaner. This soap doesn't have harsh chemicals like other store shelf soaps. My opinion for sure.