Olive oil is a fruit oil obtained from the olive (Olea europaea; family Oleaceae, along with lilacs, jasmine, and ash trees), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. The olive tree originated in Asia and soon spread as far as Africa, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China. Olive Oil is commonly used for cooking, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products as well as soaps and various traditional oil lamps.
Ancient Greek Olive Oil Hand Machinery
Over 750 million olive trees are cultivated worldwide, 95% of which are in the Mediterranean region. Most of global production comes from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Greece devotes 60% of its cultivated land to olive growing — it is the world's top producer of black olives and has more varieties of olives than any other country. With more than 132 million trees producing approximately 350,000 tons of olive oil annually, Greece holds third place in world olive production. The Peloponnese alone accounts for 65% of Greek production, alongside Crete, the Aegean Islands, and the Ionian Islands.
Our Greek Olive Oil Soaps
At Grandma's All Natural Soap, we source our extra virgin olive oil directly from family farms in the mountains of Southern Greece — hand-harvested, unrefined, and grown without pesticides using traditional farming methods passed down through generations. The Mediterranean climate and rocky mountain soil produce olives of exceptional quality, and that quality comes through in every bar we make.
Olive oil soap is one of the oldest skincare traditions in the world. Ancient Egyptians spread olive oil on their skin to cleanse before soap was even invented. Today, we honor that tradition with cold-process bars that are mild, long-lasting, and suitable for all skin types — including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Our Greek Olive Oil Soap Collection
| Soap | Key Ingredients | Size | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil Handmade Soap | Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter | 7 oz. | $17.50 | ⭐ 4.71 (7 reviews) |
| Greek Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil Soap — Limited Edition Aged | Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter | 10 oz. | From $24.00 to 42.00 + | ⭐ 5.00 (1 review) |
| Greek Olive Oil Soap with Mediterranean Sea Salt & Grass-Fed Beef Tallow | Greek Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Cretan Olive Leaf, Mediterranean Sea Salt, Grass-Fed Beef Tallow | 7 oz. | $17.99 | ⭐ 4.75 (4 reviews) |
| Organic Extra Virgin Greek Oil Soap — Mint & Rosemary | Greek Olive Oil (90%), Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Peppermint & Rosemary Essential Oils | 5.5 oz. | $17.50 | ⭐ 5.00 (1 review) |
What Makes Greek Olive Oil Soap Different?
Not all olive oil soaps are created equal. The difference starts at the source. Our olive oil is hand-harvested from mountain groves in Southern Greece — the same region that has produced the world's finest olives for millennia. It is unrefined, unfiltered, and extra-virgin, meaning it retains all of its natural antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids.
Olive oil acts as a natural humectant, drawing moisture from the air to your skin. It is rich in oleic acid, which closely mirrors the skin's own sebum, making it exceptionally gentle and non-stripping. Unlike commercial soaps made with cheap synthetic detergents, our cold-process bars preserve the glycerin naturally produced during saponification — the same glycerin that keeps your skin soft and supple.
Our aged bars take this a step further. Aging a soap for months (or up to a year, in the case of our Mint & Rosemary bar) allows excess water to evaporate, producing a harder, longer-lasting bar with a creamier, more refined lather.
What Our Customers Are Saying
"I feel that the oiliness of my face and hands was banished — and without making it dry. This product looks like it was made in an ideal way for the health of my body, calculating every drop of each ingredient. I love it and recommend it to everyone with ALL skin types. Definitely spectacular ✨"
— Lola
"I love to try all different olive oil soaps from around the World — including countries which border the Mediterranean Sea — and this one stands out."
— Bella
A Note on Choosing Cold-Pressed Olive Oil Soap
Choosing a cold-pressed olive oil soap can be similar to selecting a wine. The character of the oil varies by region, harvest time, and variety — and a particular soap may suit one skin type better than another. People who prefer a richer, more emollient feel tend to love our classic unscented bar. Those who want exfoliation and mineral benefits gravitate toward the Mediterranean Sea Salt bar. And for those who want a sensory experience, the award-winning Mint & Rosemary bar — a 2018 GOLD medal winner at the NY International Olive Oil Competition — delivers a refreshing, invigorating wash unlike anything from a bottle.
An important issue often overlooked outside olive oil-producing regions is freshness. A very fresh oil tastes and performs noticeably differently from older oils. In time, oils deteriorate and become stale — which is why we source directly from family farms and work in small batches. One-year-old oil may still be pleasant, but it is surely less potent than fresh oil. Our commitment to sourcing directly from Greece ensures you get the real thing, every time.
As Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven."
Sources:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408690290825529#.VckPRfl7yYM
http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4614-7777-8
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15569527.2011.614669#.VckPefl7yYN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil
http://www.floridaconcerts.org/soap-making-the-old-way-with-wood-ash.htm
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