Nablus Soap: Traditional Palestinian Beauty & Wellness

The Ancient Art of Palestinian Soap Making in Nablus

Image: nablus-city.net

The story of Palestinian soap making in Nablus stretches back to the 10th century, when families first began producing soap in their homes using locally abundant olive oil. By the 14th century, soap production had evolved into a significant industry, with Nablus becoming renowned throughout the region for its exceptional quality.

The city's soap-making prominence reached its zenith in the 19th century when Nablus became the center of soap production throughout the entire Fertile Crescent. By 1907, thirty factories operated in the city, producing nearly 5,000 tons of Nablus soap annually—over half of all soap production in Palestine. The reputation spread far beyond the Middle East, with exports reaching Queen Elizabeth I of England, who praised the soap immensely. Syrian historian Muhammad Kurd Ali wrote in the 1930s that "Nablus soap is the best and most famous soap today for it has, it seems, a quality not found in others and the secret is that it is unadulterated and well produced."

This flourishing industry faced devastating setbacks in the mid-20th century. The 1927 Jericho earthquake destroyed much of Nablus's Old City, including several soap factories. Later, the Israeli occupation created physical and economic obstacles—checkpoints disrupted the transportation of supplies and materials, workers struggled to reach factories, and military raids during the Second Intifada destroyed several historic soap factories. Today, only about five factories continue operating, with just two remaining in the Old City itself, making the preservation of this tradition more critical than ever.

Olive Oil Soap Benefits and Traditional Recipes

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The genius of Nablus soap lies in its radical simplicity: just three natural ingredients create a product with remarkable benefits for skin, hair, and even household cleaning.

The Three Sacred Ingredients

Virgin olive oil forms the foundation—specifically, oil from Palestinian groves that has been cold-pressed to retain all its natural properties. The olive oil provides vitamins A, E, and K, along with antioxidants and essential fatty acids that deeply nourish skin.

Water serves as the medium, helping transform solid fats into soap through the ancient chemical process of saponification.

Lye (sodium hydroxide) acts as the alkalizing agent. Traditionally, Palestinian soap makers created their own lye by mixing powdered ashes from the barilla plant (qilw), which grows along the Jordan River banks, with locally sourced lime (sheed). This natural sodium compound reacts with olive oil and water to create pure soap, with no lye remaining in the finished product after the complete saponification process.

Traditional Production Method

The Palestinian olive oil soap making process requires patience and expertise passed down through generations. Artisans heat the three ingredients together in large copper vats positioned over fermentation pits. Using an oar-shaped wooden tool called a dukshab, workers continuously stir the mixture through approximately forty cycles repeated over seven to eight days, with the solution becoming increasingly concentrated.

Once ready, workers carry buckets of liquid soap upstairs and pour it directly onto the factory's cold stone floor, where it spreads and begins to harden. As it solidifies, craftspeople cut individual bars using long pieces of thread—a skill requiring precision and experience. Each bar receives a hand-stamped family emblem, marking it with the maker's identity and pride.

The cut bars are then stacked into distinctive tower formations near large arched windows, where they cure for three to eight months. This extended curing period creates the characteristically hard, long-lasting bars that make Nablus soap so economical—one bar can outlast several bottles of commercial liquid soap.

Modern Palestinian Soap Makers and Their Techniques

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Despite the challenges facing the industry, dedicated Palestinian families continue preserving this thousand-year tradition, adapting where necessary while maintaining the core methods that define authentic Nablus soap.

The Tuqan Factory, operating since 1872, stands as one of the oldest surviving soap factories in Nablus. The Tuqan family arrived in Palestine from Syria in the 16th century and quickly became one of Nablus's most prominent families. Today, factory manager Nael Qubbaj, who has overseen operations for over thirty years, ensures that barely anything has changed in their production process. All workers come from Nablus families with historic involvement in the soap industry, maintaining both the technical knowledge and cultural connection to the craft.

The Nablus Soap Company, founded in 1971 by Mojtaba Tbeleh, represents a 400-year family tradition of soap making. The company produces 100% natural, handmade products without preservatives, making them completely biodegradable. They source olive oil sustainably and refuse to test on animals, combining traditional ethics with modern environmental consciousness.

These modern soap makers face unprecedented challenges. Production has decreased by about a third due to military checkpoints, raids, and general instability. Yet they persist, driven by the understanding that they're not just making soap—they're preserving Palestinian identity and cultural heritage.

Some factories have begun introducing variations to appeal to Western markets, adding herbal or fruit extracts to the traditional unscented formula. However, purists maintain that the original Palestinian olive oil soap, with its characteristic ivory color and almost no scent, remains the finest expression of the craft.

Skin Benefits and Natural Ingredients

The benefits of Nablus soap extend far beyond its cultural significance—this ancient formula delivers remarkable skincare results that modern dermatologists increasingly recognize and recommend.

Deep Moisturization

Olive oil's high content of essential fatty acids penetrates deeply to hydrate skin without leaving greasy residue. Unlike commercial soaps that strip natural oils, Nablus soap cleanses while maintaining skin's moisture barrier, promoting a smooth, radiant complexion.

Gentle for Sensitive Skin

The absence of synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and harsh detergents makes Palestinian olive oil soap ideal for people with sensitive skin, including children. Families have safely used this soap for centuries precisely because of its purity.

Anti-Aging Properties

The antioxidants in olive oil, particularly vitamin E, help combat free radicals that cause premature aging. Regular use can reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin elasticity.

Therapeutic for Skin Conditions

Many users report improvement in conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne when switching to Nablus soap. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil soothe irritated skin, while the gentle cleansing doesn't aggravate existing conditions.

Versatile Applications

Beyond face and body, Nablus soap works beautifully as a gentle makeup remover, shaving soap (the rich lather protects skin from razor burn), and even as a mild shampoo for those with sensitive scalps. It effectively moisturizes the scalp, prevents dandruff, and some users claim it delays gray hair while promoting natural shine.

100% Natural and Eco-Friendly

With only three simple ingredients and traditional production methods, Nablus soap represents truly sustainable skincare. It's vegan, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and produced without industrial pollution or synthetic chemicals.