Favorite French Hand Soaps

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Let’s talk about my favorite French hand soaps today! One thing I like to splurge on is some luxurious French soap.

French soaps are just… different. They seem heavier (?), or maybe creamier (?) than soaps in the states.   Their scents will transport you to an olive grove… instead of the dryer vent!

So what is the French-milled soaps? Well, the French invented the milling process in the 1700s and have it perfected!

They shred the soap into a machine the rolls the soap into a smooth paste. They do this three times, hence the name triple-milled or French-milled soap. This makes the soaps harder and thus last longer… a little goes a long way! The texture is thus finer so it feels smoother and makes a better lather!

So then what is Savon de Marseille? The soap makers of Marseille used native olive oil and alkaline ash of Mediterranean marine plants to create their soaps. In 1688, there was an edict stating that fine soaps in Marseille had to contain 72% vegetable oil with no animal additives, and it was known as “Savon de Marseille” or “Marseille Soap”. The name stuck!

It takes two weeks to make the soap and it is still made from olive oil and alkaline ash from Mediterranean sea plants!  The soap often has a fine white powder on the outside and that is sea salt – it will wash away! A 600g bar of savon de Marseille can last up to 6 months when used as bath soap!

Now only four soap makers still craft Marseille Soap according to the centuries-old tradition and here they are: Savonnerie le Serail, Marius Fabre, La Savonnerie du Midi, and La Savonnerie du Fer à Cheval. Good luck finding them online to purchase!

Now, the four companies mentioned above follow the traditional olive-oil only and lye soap making process.  L’Union des professionnels du savon de Marseille (UPSM) as new rules which states Savon de Marseille can  use olive oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil, lye, sea salt and water.

You know, I started this article just doing a little research about French soap… I admit, I had no idea that there was such a big hoopla in France about which is truly authentic Savon de Marseille vs not!

The soaps I like are apparently French milled, but not “true” Savon de Marseille. Who knew? Not me.  All of the soaps below are French milled soaps.

I like to put the little soaps in between the pillow cases and sheets in the linen closet.  This makes the sheets smell really fresh when you take them out to use them! Sorry for the poor quality picture… turns out the linen closet has bad lighting!

 

Pre de Provence – this is my favorite company for the little mini hand soaps… I tuck these ones into my linens! They the larger soap in Verbena, Olive Lavande,  peony, Lavender Queen’s Honey, Sage, Honey Almond, There are packs of 5 minis in Sage,   Lavender, and Verbena! I confess the verbena is my favorite!

L’occitane Bonne Mare Soaps – Soap made in the Marseille way, with tons of wonderful scents. In addition to hand soap, they are also great for placing in between linens or in clothing drawers! It comes in Honey, Verbena, Milk, Peach, Rose, Lavender.

Savon de Marseille – if you want the most bang for you buck, this big block of soap will last you half the year!  I actually have seen this one in person but never bought it – next time I head to this store I am buying it since I think it is a “true” Savon de Marseille!

Figue d’ete – I don’t have this exact soap but I have the candle in this scent and it smells amazing!

Diptyque L’Ombre de le Eau Soap – if you love the Baies candle, they also have the fabulous hand soap too! It smells of roses and black currants!

Une Olive en Provence – This soap takes you right to Provence! I have this one also tucked into my linens… aaahhh smells so good! I also have the body scrub and it is soooo nice!

 

Now onto Liquid French Soaps!

Compagnie de Provence Hand Soap – I feel like I keep writing the same thing… it smells amazing!

L’Occitane Liquid Hand Soap – I love this soap!  I have the verbena and the lavender.  The great part is you can buy refills which are cheaper – just keep your bottle when it’s empty and refill it!

L’occitane Cleansing Hand wash – I don’t really know the exact difference between this one and the one bbove, but the scents are slightly different. Either way, love these too. It comes in Verbena.

Diptyque Hand and Body Soap – I have this in Sens de Eau and it is my favorite soap! I use it as a body wash (not everyday – it isn’t cheap, only when I want to feel extra luxurious!) but it is also a hand soap. They also have one in Philosykos which is their fig scent which smells amazing.

 

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