Talk to me about soap, the French kind

[whatausername]

Why is it revered by some? I look at it every so often but they fragrance is always very high in the ingredients lists which puts me off. I have sensitive skin. Is it indeed the bee's knees?

The adverts certainly make it sound amazing. I bought some from a market once, it was good soap in that it was hard, it didn't melt away into nothing if a bit wet, and yes the fragrance was amazing. But I like a strong fragrance.

I have sensitive skin and like the L’occitane range of soaps. They last a long time and are good quality.

I’m a bit obsessed with Marseille soap, I use it for everything! Lasts ages, makes my skin really soft and does smell nice.

It's probably because the soap is triple-milled, that's the only soap i would buy these days https://www.scrubd.com/blogs/premium-bodycare-journal-for-men/what-sets-triple-milled-soap-apart-from-other-soap#:~:text=Triple%2Dmilled%20soap%20is%20a,more%20actual%20soap%20than%20water.

Me too. I absolutely love it. It's brilliant for getting stains out of clothes.

I bought some in lockdown and recently found one in my knickers drawer, so started using it. Then I realised I was waking up itching in the night. Went back to using Dove, itching stopped.

I’m a bit obsessed with Marseille soap, I use it for everything! Lasts ages, makes my skin really soft and does smell nice.

Where do you get your Marseille soap, please? I've tried two lots from Amazon. One was a big square block, pure olive soap, which smelled horrible! The other was a box of about 8 bars with different fragrances, which were nice but no better than any other soap I've bought. I've heard people rave about Marseille soap before - is there a particular brand?

I stand by L'occitane soap. The Verbena one smells so fresh and not too feminine, so is our standby for the shower. It lasts ages and doesn't get soggy.
I buy the large bar and cut it in half with a warm knife.

I buy mine from www.chateaudusavon.com they have really good multi buy deals and loads of different scents. I also buy their soap flakes for washing clothes

Before I got into making all my own soda ( I have eczema) I used to use Aleppo soap, it’s made only with laurel berry oil and olive oil, but god knows how the production and distribution have survived the civil war. Before that I used Rogé Cavailles which is nice and mild with a gentle fragrance https://www.my-origines.com/gb/loriginal-P1581005.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwhdWkBhBZEiwA1ibLmPMJYnHhPcmewbKaBM8jNyT7JaTgq5LlAdZZh0mfUgA_B4tyZndsUBoCKMEQAvD_BwE

All my own soap!

I bought Savon De Marseille soap when I went to France and I find it perfectly average soap, really nothing special. Mind you I also can't make a roast chicken last a week, so I guess i'm not a good mumsnetter!

The french put a block of Marseille soap at the end of the bed to stop muscle cramp!

I bought a l’occtaine bar of soap with a voucher from M&S, lasted ages and smelt of…nothing, despite it being meant to smell of Verbena.

I sometimes buy the big fat bars from TKMaxx.

Are the big fat bar’s Italian?
They always smell gorgeous.
I used to love those Bronnley lemon soaps.

Another vote for TK's - always a good selection of brands and fragrances. I use for hands in the bathrooms and kitchen- divine. Too scared to use in the shower as I'm super sensitive.

I do buy from local soap makers for DH and 2X older teen boys. They really like them as have lots of fresh/ herb/ masculine scents to chose from. They do various sizes too, so v small ones perfect for gym/ travel bags. Not triple milled, though. I didn't know these were better/ lasted longer so will look out for these.

My aunt used to use Roger & Gallet soap in carnation, used to smell lovely. They don't do that 'flavour' any more.

If you know someone going over to France at some point, ask them to pick you up some ''Le petit Olivier'' soap. The nicest one is ''verveine citron'' it's under 3€ for two decent sized bars and you can find it in supermarkets (our local Carrefour stocks it).

I use Neste Dante which is Italian. I was using Savon de Marseille but prefer Neste. The bars are huge.

I used to love Crabtree & Evelyn Jojoba soap - sadly no more...

The french put a block of Marseille soap at the end of the bed to stop muscle cramp!

Bonkers!

I can't use those lovely handmade soaps, unfortunately. They turn to slimy mush because we have such soft water.

That range is good not only for soap but also shower gel and shampoo and conditioner. Our local small chemist and an artisan cafe/shop both sell their products in SE London so you can get them here.

I’ve never been that sold on French soap to be honest but I love the Italian or Portuguese ones (Castabel) even L’Occitane but I do love Le Petit Marsellais soap and all the shower gels etc and regularly buy when I go to parents holiday home in SW France.

Another shout out for TK Maxx or John Lewis for soaps, I regularly ask for them for stocking fillers or give them as those and currently using a lovely big eucalyptus one and a honey one (Le Perlier does nice honey stuff too).

I'm not sure to be honest, they are a mix of brands but always smell lovely and last a long time.

I like Neste Dante and also Yorkshire soap company they did a lovely cranberry/cinnamon one Christmas.
I agree that Tk maxx stock a good range.