Yes Sir, the 4 names given are almost identical in formula and performance. They all lather very well and create a rich, creamy lather that can be used to wash your entire body, hair included. These soaps are ideal for every skin type, even the most sensitive ones. And during winter months the very high content of 72% of extra virgin olive oil makes them extremely moisturizing.
There are several great names for Italian bath soaps. Among these my favourite is Nesti Dante from Florence. His soaps are of high quality, with great scents and are reasonably priced, too. These are not extra virgin olive oil based, though. Therefore, while they won't dry out your skin at all, they are certainly not as moisturizing as the French savon de Marseille.
What I like to do is to use Nesti Dante and other Italians during hot months (when moisturizing properties are not so important to me) and the 4 French Marseille soaps during cold months (when moisturizing properties play an important role to prevent skin dryness and consequent cracks).
Yes Sir, the 4 names given are almost identical in formula and performance. They all lather very well and create a rich, creamy lather that can be used to wash your entire body, hair included. These soaps are ideal for every skin type, even the most sensitive ones. And during winter months the very high content of 72% of extra virgin olive oil makes them extremely moisturizing.
There are several great names for Italian bath soaps. Among these my favourite is Nesti Dante from Florence. His soaps are of high quality, with great scents and are reasonably priced, too. These are not extra virgin olive oil based, though. Therefore, while they won't dry out your skin at all, they are certainly not as moisturizing as the French savon de Marseille.
What I like to do is to use Nesti Dante and other Italians during hot months (when moisturizing properties are not so important to me) and the 4 French Marseille soaps during cold months (when moisturizing properties play an important role to prevent skin dryness and consequent cracks).
Marco-
Marco - I bought a cube of the Marius Fabre 72% olive oil soap. I cut off a bar sized piece and used it during a shower. It suds easily and is moisturizing, but the scent is stronger than expected and has a medicinal/chemical smell- unpleasant to me. Do the traditional Marseille soaps from the other companies you mentioned smell similar?
are you aware of other olive oil soaps that offer similar performance with more pleasant scents?
Thanks.
All TRUE Marseille soaps are the same in terms of ingredients list, performance and scent.
Some other companies offer olive oil based soaps, but honestly I do not know them - probably they add fragrances to them and probably the amount of true olive oil is much less than the famous 72% offered by the originals.
Try to stick to your Marius Fabre and see if you get used to that "ash" scent. Your skin will thank you later...
Go to an Indian store and get you some Mysore Santal. Scent is strong, authentic sandalwood. Inexpensive.
Grandma’s Pure Lye soap from Amazon. No fancy ingredients - just pure soap. Great for the skin.I’m a sucker for bath soaps.
I’ve used the mass market type soaps - Dove, Dial, Irish Spring, etc.
I’ve used the “step up” varieties such as Pre de Provence, Duke Cannon, D.R. Harris (above a step up really!)
I’ve used the body wash type of soap, *shudder*
I’ve used a few local artisans here and there.
I’ve never found one that WOWED me.
What I don’t like about the mass market type is it’s just bland. Scent is bland, lather is bland, it’s just.....soap. Cheap, effective, soap.
What I don’t like about the step up varieties is...speak of Duke Cannon mainly, I don’t want a soap bar the size of my head. And Pre de Provence never excited me either - take away the 20 different scents and it’s just another mass market.
What I don’t like about the body wash - *shudder*...never mind
So what are y’all using that falls in to the WOW category for you?
I don’t mind shelling out some dough for a good soap considering i use it daily.