Masyaf, Feb.12 (SANA) At a time when global concerns are rising over the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals, the world is witnessing a growing shift toward what has become known as “green beauty,” a movement that is transforming herbs and natural oils from traditional remedies into a global cosmetics industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Rola Daoud and Mai al-Haiba, two young women from the city of Masyaf in Syria’s central region, are working to revive a heritage that dates back thousands of years, producing natural soaps and skincare products based on olive oil and medicinal herbs drawn from Syria’s rich environment.
Green Beauty: A Global Return to Nature
The move toward natural products is no longer seen as a passing trend, but rather as a fundamental change in how consumers worldwide relate to nature and personal care. With growing awareness of the long-term effects of some industrial ingredients, demand has increased for products that are gentler on the skin and more environmentally friendly.
This shift has driven strong growth in the natural cosmetics market, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, with forecasts indicating continued expansion over the coming decade.
An Ancient Craft Rooted in Syrian History
Soap-making has deep roots in the Arab world, long predating its spread to Europe. Syrian cities, most notably Aleppo, have for centuries been global centers of this craft. Aleppo laurel soap, produced using olive and laurel oils through traditional methods, was inscribed in 2024 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing techniques that date back nearly 3,000 years.
Similarly, Nablus soap from Palestine, made exclusively from extra virgin olive oil for more than a millennium, has also been recognized by UNESCO, reflecting a shared regional heritage passed down through generations.
From Personal Passion to Cultural Mission
For Rola and Mai, the journey began with a personal fascination with herbs and natural blends. Over time, this interest developed into a project that combines scientific knowledge with inherited cultural practices.
“Our goal was never commercial profit,” Rola said in an interview with SANA English. “We wanted to offer a high-quality bar of soap that carries a message of health and beauty.”
To refine their work, the two women relied on specialized training courses, scientific references and hands-on experimentation, while drawing inspiration from Syria’s traditional soap-making legacy. Their products use oils such as olive, coconut, almond, castor oil and shea butter, alongside herbs including lavender, chamomile, rosemary, sidr (Lote tree) and turmeric, selected carefully for purity and effectiveness.
Understanding Natural, Organic and Vegan Products
Rola stressed the importance of consumer awareness, explaining that “natural” products are derived from natural sources, “organic” ingredients are cultivated without pesticides under regulated standards, and “vegan” products contain no animal-derived substances. She said understanding these distinctions allows consumers to make informed choices aligned with their health and environmental values.
Science Behind the Craft
According to Mai, the effectiveness of natural ingredients lies in their compatibility with the skin’s structure, allowing them to support its functions gently over time, unlike some chemical compounds that may offer quick results but weaken the skin barrier with repeated use.
Essential oils are extracted using several methods, including steam distillation for purity, cold pressing to preserve vitamins, and safe solvent extraction for fragrance concentration. The soap-making process itself, known as saponification, involves a precise chemical reaction between oils and an alkaline agent, with ratios calculated carefully using scientific references to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite rising demand, Rola and Mai face challenges common to many small-scale producers, including the high cost of essential oils, difficulty sourcing pure raw materials, and competition from large commercial brands. Another ongoing challenge is educating consumers on how to distinguish genuinely natural products from those marketed as such without substance.
Nevertheless, studies confirming the benefits of ingredients such as turmeric as an antioxidant, tea tree oil for acne treatment, and lavender for skin soothing continue to support the growth of the sector.
With global markets increasingly open to natural cosmetics that meet international quality and regulatory standards, the two women hope their work can move beyond local markets and introduce Syrian heritage to the world.
Returning to the Roots
For Rola and Mai, each bar of soap represents a journey that connects past and present, from the historic soap workshops of Aleppo to modern laboratories analyzing the properties of herbs with scientific precision.
“In an age searching for simplicity,” they say, “natural soap reminds us that the most beautiful remedies are often the simplest, and that wisdom lies in returning to our roots.”
Iman Alzuheiri/Rk
