Marius Fabre Marseille Soap, 72% Olive Oil - Pack of 2 X 400g

I love this soap! It really should get 4 stars because of some things some folks won't like, but I love it: 5 stars! I was looking for a soap that wouldn't leave a big mess in the soap dish, unlike all the other soaps I've been using. And my research led me to conclude that a "hard" soap would be less messy. It is my understanding that this soap is a hard soap. But that word is misleading. It lathers beautifully. It is soft on my skin; I think I require less moisturizer since using this soap. And it does make much less of a mess in the soap dish. Here's what some folks won't like: it comes in a big cube, it's 3 inches on a side. And it has a potent odor, the odor old-fashioned soaps have because they don't have all that perfume in them that modern soaps have. The smell is because it's 72% olive oil. At first I didn't like the smell, but now I actually do. Also, the smell is strongest when you first take it out of the box, but it fades somewhat. Despite the awkward shape and size, it isn't that hard to roll it around in your hands to work up a lather. Also, one can cut in two. But I wanted to see if I could use it as is. And I can. Finally, by using it, the edges wear off and it becomes easier to handle. It comes in a paper box, no plastic except for the wrap around it, which I doubt the French manufacturer put on. What I love about it is, in part, the idea of it: it's a soap my great-grandmother might have used. This is what soap actually is.

First off, this is 100% legit savon de Marseille -- Marius Fabre is one of the remaining authentic olive oil soap makers. It's worth noting that this is quite a hunk of soap. It might be a bit unwieldy for someone with small hands, and no one would want to drop it on their foot during a shower. I appreciate the moisturizing and cleansing qualities of the soap along with the absence of additives. By the same token, there's no fruity, floral, or sweet scent here; hard to describe but perhaps I'd call it "earthy" (and assertively so). Great stuff but at the far opposite end of the spectrum from mass market, perfumed and chemical-infused bars.

This is a high-quality olive oil soap. I use it with wet felting projects. It helps make things go together better. The bonus is that it does not dry out your hands when you have to be wet so long with the felting process. Plus, it has a great scent. You can even shave the bar and mix it with water to create an olive oil soap for using in your washing machine.

Great kitchen soap

I have used french soaps before, the one in my kitchen is an authentic one that had a very strong natural smell to it for a month or so. This soap smelled like motor oil and it was strong. I set one in my bathroom for a day and the whole small bathroom smelled of it. I asked my husband what he thought and he said that he recognized the smell from his childhood so I am guessing the smell is not due to this soap going bad but wow, it's intense. And I do believe it's authentic but I had to return it. To be clear, I am 100% not opposed to natural scents, this is strong. Returned.

We really like the soap, and have been using this to clean dishes for the past several months. However, one downside to the self is that, despite the fact that it arrives in cardboard containers, it is wrapped in plastic. Would be great if this had less plastic material coming with it. The scent of the soap is not the greatest, however, this is not what we bought the soap for. It works well for cleaning countertops, dishes, and scrubbing down pots and pans. For this use, I would highly recommend it. It also is not abrasive on the skin.

Love this soap… helps with my eczema. Huge bar think it will last for months.

Awkward shape, moisturizing , unusual scent