Supporting artisans
We work with Syrian artisans who resettled in Turkey, supporting the continuation of Aleppo soap-making traditions and the livelihoods of artisans and their families.
✨“Each bar of soap tells a story of craftsmanship, resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of the Syrian people.” ✨
Our story & impact
A heritage that brings people together
Ancient craftsmanship. Human stories. Meaningful gifts.
Olivscent brings the heritage of traditional Aleppo soap into contemporary corporate gifting. Rooted in a rich tradition of craftsmanship, our handmade soaps bring together olive oil, carefully selected ingredients and a story shaped by generations of knowledge and cultural exchange.
We believe a gift can do more than express appreciation. It can honour the people behind a product, preserve cultural heritage and create meaningful connections between people and communities.
Heritage · Craftsmanship · Connection
Traditional craftsmanship
Natural ingredients
Meaningful gifting
A longstanding tradition, carried forward through craftsmanship.
The heritage
A heritage rooted in Aleppo
A tradition shaped by generations
Aleppo, Syria, has stood at the crossroads of trade routes since the second millennium BCE. Its history reflects centuries of exchange between peoples, cultures and traditions.
Traditional Aleppo ghar soap is made using olive oil and laurel oil, with a distinctive process passed down through generations. Its production involves cooking the ingredients, cutting the soap by hand, stamping the bars and allowing them to mature over several months.
Although the precise origins of Aleppo soap remain uncertain, its craftsmanship is a longstanding part of Syria’s cultural heritage. In 2024, UNESCO inscribed the craftsmanship of Aleppo ghar soap on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At Olivscent, we bring this heritage into the present, sharing the story of traditional craftsmanship through products designed for everyday use and meaningful gifting.
Every bar reflects the knowledge and skills of its makers.
The people behind the craft
The people behind the soap
Supporting artisans and preserving craftsmanship
Heritage survives because people continue to practise it.
Olivscent supports Syrian artisans who resettled in Turkey following the civil war. By working with these artisans, we contribute to the continuation of Aleppo soap-making traditions while supporting the livelihoods of artisans and their families.
We believe the people behind a product deserve to be recognised. Their knowledge, experience and craftsmanship are an essential part of every bar of soap and the story we share with our customers.
Our social impact
More than a product
Meaningful work, thoughtfully made.
Our commitment to social impact is reflected not only in the soap we offer, but also in the way our gifts are prepared.
Recognising skilled women
We work with skilled women who handcraft our packaging from the ground up. Their work brings care, individuality and human craftsmanship to our gifts.
Preserving heritage
By sharing the story of Aleppo soap through our products and workshops, we help keep traditional craftsmanship and its cultural significance visible.
By bringing together traditional soap-making and handmade packaging, we aim to make each gift meaningful in more than one way: through its heritage, the people involved in its creation and the story it carries.
Our mission
Building connections through history and storytelling
A cultural bridge between communities and Dutch society.
Olivscent seeks to build a cultural bridge between communities and Dutch society through heritage, craftsmanship and storytelling.
The history of Aleppo soap offers a starting point for conversations about trade, migration, cultural exchange and shared human experiences. Through our products and workshops, we create opportunities for people to discover these connections and develop a deeper appreciation of different backgrounds.
For us, preserving heritage is not only about looking back. It is also about recognising how history can bring people together in the present.
Heritage brings us together.
Corporate gifting
Meaningful gifts for organisations
Give a gift with a story worth sharing
Corporate gifts can express appreciation while communicating the values an organisation stands for.
Olivscent offers handmade Aleppo soap gifts that combine traditional craftsmanship, thoughtful presentation and social impact. With personalisation options for organisations and occasions, our gifts offer a distinctive way to recognise employees, thank partners and create memorable experiences.
Each gift tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship and human connection.
Give with meaning. Share a heritage. Create connection.