Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella Soaps

With no travel on the horizon for the foreseeable future, I’ve been living vicariously through my former self, looking back on photos and souvenirs from holidays past. My beautiful collection of soaps from Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella in Florence is part of my bedroom decor, pretty as it is ultimately practical – especially since the pandemic began. But somehow, even though these soaps have been a fixture in my daily routine for almost two years, I don’t know that they’ve so much as appeared in the background of a photo in that time.

…I suppose I took for granted that I could return to Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella soon. That I would be back in Florence before I knew it, so I could always photograph and write about their products later. At one time, that was a very real possibility. Now, it isn’t. The time to introduce my favourite soaps is now – because after two years of using them, my small stockpile is running low, and flights to Florence remain a distant memory.

What it is: Officially, Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is not only the pharmacy with the longest name out there, but also one of the oldest in Europe. Founded by Domenican friars as early as 1221 and opened to the public in 1612, this Italian apothecary is known for its herbal products. Catherine de Medici was the first famous fan of the brand, but there have been many others since. The original store is still open, both as a museum and boutique, in Florence. These days, the product line is extensive. Officina Profumo’s range includes everything from soaps to perfumes to skincare and shaving products. (Candles, too, of course.) Personally, I’m a particular fan of their classic soaps – the traditional milk and almond variets in particular.

What to do with it: Lather. Rinse. Repeat as desired.

What it costs: $18 USD for a single bar. $54 USD for a box of three. Available from Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella online.

Why it’s fabulous: The products from Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella are true classics. Every single one has stood the test of time, and then some. It’s true that you can get a bar of soap almost anywhere. But not all bars of soap are created equal. Rituals are important, especially in times of upheaval. When you’re washing your hands dozens of times a day, adding a bit of luxury to the experience goes a long way to make it a more pleasant experience. I feel like I’m giving myself a small treat when I reach for a beautiful, historically significant soap emblazened with an S. M. Novella logo, rather than just a regular bar of Irish Spring.

Beyond that, luxury soaps like the ones from Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella are made with natural, gentle ingredients. (Your average bar of Zest, on the other hand, contains a lengthy list chemical additives.) That means they’re your best friend if you have sensitive skin. (And who doesn’t have sensitive skin right now?) The milk soap is the gentlest I’ve ever used. It never leaves my hands feeling rough, dry or tight. Even if I use it ten times in one day – and right now, I often do.

I acknowledge that these soaps are not budget-friendly. But if you are in a position to indulge, they are an absolutely lovely way to do it.