Saponificio Varesino - history of the brand, collections, fragrances

The soap is still made using the old Marseille technique: sea water is mixed with olive oil and herbal extracts in huge copper cauldrons, and the contents are heated and stirred for several days. The resulting mass is poured into another container and then dried for a whole month.

Saponificio Varesino soaps are triple-milled. The mass is ground at least three times, made uniform, and mixed as thoroughly as possible while air bubbles and moisture are removed at the same time. Thanks to this technology, when the soap gets wet it does not turn into a thick jelly, it does not become soggy in the soap dish, and the lather it produces is delicate, airy, and fluffy.

This method makes excellent soap, but it is very labor-intensive and expensive, so now it is used by rare and not very large companies.

All brand soaps are packed by hand as a tribute to long-standing traditions. Most Saponificio Varesino products are suitable for vegans. The base with coconut and palm oil is certified by Econat. The soaps and cosmetics are enriched with extracts of local medicinal plants and grouped into collections.

Saponificio Varesino’s main product is a huge collection of body soaps. But the company became famous across the wet shaving world for its shaving products.

Saponificio Varesino shaving

Each shaving collection includes: hard shaving soap, aftershave, deodorant, and body soap — all with the same fragrance so it stays on the skin as long as possible. Alongside the shaving products, there is also a small line for bearded men.

Stella Alpina

The flagship and first collection of the brand, «Alpine Star», appeared in 1948. The first product was a cube-shaped soap with embossed text on all six sides.

The main ingredient of the Stella Alpina collection is the edelweiss flower, which grows in the Alps. Edelweiss extract has an antioxidant effect, tones the skin, and helps stimulate collagen production.

The fragrance composition starts with citrus and spicy notes (bergamot, lemon, basil), moves into bitter-fresh notes of eucalyptus, myrtle, and citrus, and finishes with amber and cypress.

Manna di Sicilia

Sicilian manna extract is the main ingredient in this collection. Manna sap is obtained from the manna ash (white ash). Sicily has the largest areas of this tree in the world. When the sap comes into contact with air, it turns into a white mass that looks like porridge. Manna is used to soften the skin, give it a silky feel, and help heal nicks. More about the ingredient can be found in our separate article here.

The fragrance composition starts with citrus notes, balanced by the coolness of sage and fenugreek, then opens into warm, floral, and sweet notes of honey, tobacco, spices, jasmine, and pelargonium, and finishes with patchouli, cedar resin, and wood.

Morado

The collection was created especially for Cosmoprof 2022. Its active ingredient is purple corn extract. The bright red-violet color of the kernels comes from pigments called anthocyanins. They have a powerful rejuvenating effect, smooth wrinkles, and help prevent new ones from forming.

The olfactory pyramid consists of masculine, rich woody and amber notes, accompanied by citrus, mint, lavender, and spicy accents.

Cosmo

The collection first appeared in 2016 for the international Cosmoprof 2016 exhibition. The cosmetics in this collection contain larch extract. It contains a polysaccharide whose structure is close to collagen. That is why larch has a rejuvenating effect, a lifting effect, smooths wrinkles, and retains the necessary moisture in the tissues.

The scent of Cosmo is sensual and delicate, combining notes of vetiver, coffee, and warm oriental touches of sandalwood and spices.

70th Anniversary

A special edition for the company’s 70th anniversary, with a special fragrance, is a modern interpretation of a classic cologne with refreshing citrus notes, complemented by green and floral accents and built on wood and amber.

Felce Aromatica

The formula with male fern root extract normalizes and supports the skin’s hydro-lipid balance. The fragrance composition starts with explosive citrus notes, moves into hot pepper and ginger, complemented by Bourbon geranium. The blend rests on a classic combination of amber, sandalwood, and patchouli.

Mirto di Sardegna

Mirto di Sardegna cosmetics contain myrtle extract grown on the island of Sardinia. The scent of the leaves of this evergreen plant resembles pine needles. Myrtle has a powerful antibacterial effect and helps heal inflammation and skin boils. It also has an astringent effect, tightens pores, and normalizes sebum production.

The scent of Mirto di Sardegna is woody and classic, with distinct citrus and myrtle notes.

Dolomiti

Dolomiti cosmetics contain healing clay and minerals from the limestone of the Dolomite Alps, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This healing blend contains vitamins and minerals, has an antioxidant effect, reduces inflammation, and treats the skin.

The fragrance composition consists of top notes of lemon and cool sage, a heart of flowers and spices, and a base of amber, vetiver, patchouli, and pine needles.

Tundra Artica

In the Alps there are places where the climate and vegetation are similar to tundra conditions. That is where the lichens grow that Saponificio Varesino uses in the cosmetics of the Tundra Arctica collection.

Lichen extract soothes the skin, reduces irritation, has a positive effect even on sensitive skin, and refreshes and tones it.

The fragrance of the collection is oud: according to the manufacturer, it conveys the feeling of tundra expanses and winter freshness very well.

Desert Vetiver

This collection stands out for its fragrance — warm, comforting, and at the same time fresh. A balsamic blend of frankincense, elemi, and bitter wormwood is echoed by orange notes, with a trail of spices and lavender, and rests on earthy desert vetiver.

Opuntia

The main ingredient in the collection is prickly pear extract. This cactus is widespread in Mexico, but it also grows in Sicily.

The plant is adapted to harsh conditions, so it stores life-giving moisture inside, enriched with essential oils and nutrients. That is exactly what is used in cosmetics.

Prickly pear juice restores the moisture balance in the tissues, refreshes and nourishes the skin, and helps fight dryness and flaking.

The fragrance composition of the Opuntia products consists of fruity, floral, and green notes. This multifaceted and unusual blend of blackcurrant, pineapple, birch leaves, refined rose, and enchanting jasmine is built on patchouli, subtle white musk, vetiver, and oakmoss.

Cubebe

The products in the collection contain rare and valuable monoi oil. It is made by infusing tiare flowers in coconut oil. It has healing wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Cubebe fragrance consists of top notes of citrus and white fir needles, middle notes of spices, musk, and cubeb pepper, and a base of amber, labdanum, patchouli, vetiver, and benzoin.

Argania

A 2023 collection. The main ingredient is organic argan oil. It is obtained from the seeds of the argan tree, which grows in Morocco. Natural argan oil is called «liquid gold»; it is a valuable and expensive ingredient, comparable in price to black caviar. To get just 1 liter, the harvest from 6—7 trees is needed.

The value of argan oil lies not only in its rarity, but also in its unique effect on the skin: it suits all skin types, softens it, removes dryness, balances the hydro-lipid level, and creates the thinnest invisible protective barrier against UV radiation and temperature changes.

The fragrance of Argania products is sweetly oriental, with myrrh combined with citrus, vanilla, and creamy notes.

Body cosmetics — Sealing Line

A line of handmade skincare cosmetics created for relaxation and comfort. Each collection includes scrub soap, hand cream, shower gel scrub, bath salts, and scented candles.

Black Vanilla — a skincare collection with volcanic sand, sea water, charcoal, and a vanilla fragrance. Volcanic sand has a gentle exfoliating effect, charcoal absorbs toxins and cleans pores, and sea water helps heal inflammation and dermatological problems.

Lavender — a collection with ground almond shells and lavender extract. Gently exfoliates the epidermis and has an antibacterial and healing effect.

Almond — a cosmetics collection with chamomile oil and immortelle. Chamomile reduces inflammation, gives a silky feel, and softens the skin; immortelle rejuvenates, nourishes, and improves elasticity. The Almond scent is light almond.

Coconut — a line of products with coconut oil and an intense aroma of its flesh. Coconut oil softens and nourishes the skin, creating a protective barrier against windburn and dehydration.

Aloe — cosmetics enriched with aloe juice. The collection is suitable for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin.

Grecale

The line includes gift boxes of 3 soaps at 100 g each, large bars at 300 g, and 0.5 l scented liquids. Grecale is a line dedicated to the Mediterranean wind and Italian fruits.

Envelope

A line created as a tribute to the company’s history, when soap was wrapped in plain paper and tied with a string. It includes 300 g soaps, with the brand logo engraved on the side. The packaging is styled to look old-fashioned, and for this a pattern with a fabric effect is printed on the paper. We recommend soaps in this series for normal and oily skin.

Natural

The line includes solid shampoos and facial cleansers, and lip oil. Each ingredient is selected to be beneficial, regardless of skin and hair type. The components of the products include neem oil, monoi, rosemary, jojoba, herbal extracts (nettle, chamomile), collagen, keratin, and panthenol.

Minimal

The Minimal line includes 300 g solid soaps with olive oil in the formula. We recommend them for all skin types, including dry skin. They gently cleanse the skin while softening, moisturizing, and nourishing the dermis. The fragrances are simple and clean: lemon, coconut, and lavender.