Olive Oil Soap

CA olive oil soaps are handcrafted in their workshop near Marseille.

They are cold-saponified and made from a base of organic olive oil.

CA 100% olive oil soap was the first soap created by Comme Avant.

Saponification is a chemical reaction between olive oil and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), commonly known as caustic soda, which produces soap and glycerin.

CA method is traditional and adheres to a cold saponification process. After preparing the sodium hydroxide solution with water, we mix this lye with only organic olive oil.

They allow the saponification to take place under gentle heat to form their cleansing base. Then, they let their soaps cure for an average of 4 weeks before shipping them to you.

CA cold-processed soap can replace almost all your daily soaps (including Aleppo soap or black soap).

It’s suitable for the whole family—adults, children, and even babies— for use on the body, face, and hair.

All made from 100% natural ingredients! CA soap is certified organic (COSMOS Organic) and very economical.

On average, a 100g bar of soap lasts about a month, depending on usage and frequency. Note that CA soap (and therefore our soap flakes) contains water, which will evaporate over time. Don’t be surprised if your soap or flakes are lighter than the stated weight if used a few months after receipt.

CA superfatted soaps are biodegradable and help reduce our environmental impact.

You can use them in nature, but it’s important to stay about 20 meters away from watercourses to allow the soil, rocks, or sand to filter the soap. This helps minimize the impact on local wildlife and plants.

CA gentle soaps are sold in minimalist, plastic-free packaging. CA use recyclable cardboard boxes certified by PEFC, sourced from sustainably managed forests and manufactured in France.

To further reduce waste, CA ship their products in recyclable cardboard boxes with kraft paper padding when necessary.

Here are the main differences between our soap and traditional Marseille soap :

- Production Method: CA soap is made using cold saponification (commonly known as SAF), while Marseille soap is made using a traditional cauldron method, which is a hot process. Compared to the traditional method, CA process preserves all the properties of olive oil, particularly its moisturizing benefits.

- Glycerin Content: In the production of Marseille soap, glycerin is removed at the end of the process, which gives it an exfoliating effect. In CA soap, glycerin is retained due to the cold process, adding extra softness and hydration.

- Ingredients: Many Marseille soaps use additional vegetable oils besides olive oil (such as coconut, copra, or palm oil). CA choose to use only olive oil (which is also organic) as the fat in their soap.

- Hardness: Marseille soap is harder than CA soap due to its cauldron-based production and often contains additional vegetable oils.

- Shape and Label: Marseille soap typically comes in a cube shape and features a "72% olive oil" label on one side. This label is specific to the four remaining Marseille soap factories that adhere to the traditional hot saponification process. CA soap, although made near Marseille and containing much more than 72% olive oil, cannot obtain this label due to CA cold saponification method and different shape.

- Authenticity: Genuine artisanal soaps made in France are rare. Some soaps may contain animal fats, listed under "Sodium Tallowate" in the INCI composition. Others are made from pre-made soap paste purchased from industrial suppliers, rather than being handcrafted by the soap maker.

When the olive oil soaps are shipped, they are approximately 4 weeks old. They will continue to dry over time, making them even more economical.

Under proper storage conditions—dry, away from heat and dust—you can keep the soap for 2 to 3 years. Store it on a soap dish in your bathroom, and for travel, our hemp pouch is perfect.

But what does our soap look like after 1 year, for example? It turns white! This is one of the characteristics of cold-processed soaps.tion to answer a question, provide product information, or talk about your brand.