FR
Aleppo soap is best known for its skin benefits and natural composition. But what about using it on your hair? Is it suitable for all hair types, and can it replace your regular shampoo? Let’s take a closer look at what you should know before adding it to your hair care routine.
Aleppo Soap: A Traditional Soap Made with Simple Ingredients
Made in Aleppo, Syria, for centuries, Aleppo soap is traditionally made with olive oil and laurel berry oil.
Is Aleppo Soap Good for Hair?
Aleppo soap has cleansing properties that help remove impurities, residue and excess oil from the scalp. Its plant-based oil composition may therefore seem like an interesting option for washing your hair.
However, it’s important to consider one characteristic of traditional soaps: their alkaline pH.
Why pH Matters for Hair
The scalp and hair naturally have a slightly acidic pH, whereas Aleppo soap is alkaline. In other words, it is less acidic than what hair naturally needs.
This difference in pH can affect the hair fibre. The cuticles, which are the tiny scales on the hair’s surface, may lift. As a result, hair can become rougher, more prone to tangling and harder to detangle.
This is why Aleppo soap may not be suitable for every hair type.
How Water Quality Affects Your Hair
Water quality can also influence the results. Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals, can leave deposits on the hair when used with traditional soap. This can make hair feel rougher and more difficult to detangle.
Is Aleppo Soap Suitable for All Hair Types?
Although Aleppo soap can be used to wash hair, its effects vary depending on hair type and individual needs. Some hair types tolerate this kind of cleansing better than others.
Oily Hair
Aleppo soap can help remove excess oil and impurities that build up on the scalp. It may therefore seem like an interesting option for people with oily hair. However, it does not regulate natural sebum production and does not necessarily help you wash your hair less often.
Normal Hair
Some people may enjoy using it occasionally, particularly if their hair responds well to this type of cleansing. However, it’s important to pay attention to how your hair feels once it’s dry, as it may become rougher or harder to style.
Dry, Damaged or Colour-Treated Hair
These hair types generally require a gentler approach. Aleppo soap may increase the feeling of dryness, leave the lengths feeling rougher and contribute to tangles. It’s therefore best to choose a shampoo formulated to meet their specific needs.
Laurel Berry Oil Percentage: Something to Consider
The proportion of laurel berry oil in Aleppo soap varies depending on the recipe. As a general guideline, soaps containing approximately 12 to 15% laurel berry oil are generally preferred for normal to dry scalps, while those containing between 20 and 35% are more often recommended for oily scalps or scalps prone to dandruff.
How to Use Aleppo Soap to Wash Your Hair
If you’d like to give it a try, here are a few steps and precautions to help make the experience more pleasant.
- Thoroughly wet your hair to prepare your scalp for washing.
- Lather the soap between your hands rather than rubbing the bar directly along your hair lengths.
- Apply the lather to your scalp and gently massage with your fingertips to loosen impurities.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue.
- Wash a second time if needed, especially if your hair is particularly oily or the first wash did not sufficiently cleanse your scalp.
- Apply a detangling conditioner to the lengths and ends, such as Alepia’s silicone-free conditioner, to make detangling easier.
It’s also worth knowing that when you change your washing habits and introduce a new hair care product, your hair may sometimes need an adjustment period. This can take 3 to 5 washes, or sometimes longer, depending on your hair type and the products you used previously. It’s best to pay attention to how your hair responds with each use.
What Are the Alternatives to Aleppo Soap for Hair?
If you’d like to keep some of the ingredients associated with Aleppo soap but find that traditional soap doesn’t suit your hair, there are other options worth exploring. Alepia shampoos, in particular, are specially formulated for washing hair and come in several versions to suit different needs.
Alepia Liquid Shampoos
The Alepia liquid shampoo range, made with aloe vera, includes several formulas developed to address different hair care needs.
Some feature a combination of olive oil and laurel berry oil, while others are enriched with ingredients such as black seed oil, green clay or various plant oils.
The range includes :
- Aleppo Shampoo with 15% Laurel Berry Oil: Suitable for all hair types, this shampoo is particularly interesting for sensitive scalps or those prone to itching, as well as for oily hair or hair prone to dandruff.
- Aleppo Shampoo with 40% Laurel Berry Oil: Enriched with a higher proportion of laurel berry oil, it cleanses and nourishes the hair. Suitable for all hair types, including colour-treated and permed hair.
- Aleppo Shampoo with 7 Oils: Formulated with castor, argan, black seed, olive, sunflower, sweet almond and laurel berry oils. Particularly suitable for dry or curly hair, it helps nourish the hair fibre.
- Aleppo Shampoo with Black Seed Oil: Formulated to cleanse gently, it is suitable for all hair types, particularly sensitive or irritated scalps.
- Aleppo Shampoo with Green Clay: Green clay is known for its purifying properties. This formula is particularly suitable for normal to oily hair and helps remove excess oil.
Olive Oil Solid Shampoo Bar
For those who prefer solid formats, Alepia also offers an organic olive oil shampoo bar. Its extra-gentle formula contains olive oil and coconut oil, known for its nourishing and conditioning properties. Suitable for all hair types, this compact format is easy to incorporate into your hair care routine or take along when travelling.
So, Is Aleppo Soap a Good Idea for Hair?
Aleppo soap can be used to wash hair, but it isn’t necessarily suitable for every hair type. Its alkaline pH can make hair feel rougher and more difficult to detangle. If you’d like to enjoy a hair care product inspired by Aleppo soap while choosing a formula specifically designed for hair, Alepia’s liquid shampoos and solid shampoo bars are interesting alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aleppo Soap for Hair
How Long Does It Take for Hair to Adjust to Aleppo Soap?
An adjustment period of 3 to 5 washes is sometimes observed when switching hair care products. However, this can vary depending on your hair type and previous washing habits. It’s important to pay attention to how your hair responds with each use.
Can You Use Aleppo Soap with Hard Water?
Yes, but the results may be less satisfactory. Hard water, which is rich in minerals, can contribute to deposits building up on the hair when combined with traditional soap. This can make hair feel rougher and more difficult to detangle. Using a detangling conditioner after washing may help make styling easier, but it won’t necessarily solve the problem of mineral deposits.
After a Few Washes, My Hair Feels Very Rough and Seems Damaged. Should I Keep Using Aleppo Soap?
Not necessarily. If your hair becomes very rough, difficult to detangle or seems more damaged after a few uses, it’s best to stop using Aleppo soap. Its alkaline pH may not be suitable for your hair type. Instead, you can switch to a shampoo specially formulated to meet your hair’s needs.
Is It Normal for Aleppo Soap to Produce Less Lather Than Regular Shampoo?
Yes, absolutely! Aleppo soap and some shampoos formulated with naturally derived ingredients may produce less lather than conventional shampoos. However, the amount of foam does not determine how effectively a product cleans. A soap that produces very little lather can still clean effectively.
To learn more, read our article about soaps that produce little lather and their cleaning effectiveness.
Should You Use Conditioner After Washing with Aleppo Soap?
It’s recommended, particularly if your hair tends to feel rough or become tangled after washing. Conditioner helps make detangling easier and leaves hair more manageable. You can try Alepia’s silicone-free conditioner.
Learn More About Aleppo Soap
Discover our other blog articles about this traditional soap to learn more about its properties and different uses.