Bastille Soap
We have been formulating and testing a milk Bastille soap range and it is finally ready for you!
What is Bastille soap?
As one of the most popular soap ingredients, Olive Oil has a long history in soapmaking and can consitute up to 100% of the oils. Soap containing 100% olive oil originated in the Castile region of Spain. Recorded as early as 1567, the recipe for these legendary pure olive oil soaps is one of the oldest known.
When formulating a soap, an artisan considers the final bar soap properties required. Different oils make different contributions and the formulation of fatty acids and their oils is what determines the balance of hardness, lather quality, conditioning and moisturizing. Traditional Castile soap made with 100% olive oil are mild, gentle and incredible softening on the skin. However, pure Olive oil has low lather, can feel ‘slimy’ and it can take close to a year to cure!
Bastille soap is closely related to Castille soap. While Castille soap contains 100% olive oil, any cold process soap containing at least 70% olive oil is considered a Bastille soap.
We think Bastille soap is wonderful, as it combines the rich skin soothing qualities of Castile soap, but you still have the cleansing ability and great lather that other oils and butter can provide!
Aermedas Milk Bastille Soap
In keeping with the Aermeda soap range our Bastille soaps contain 100% milk instead of water. They are formulated with 80% Olive Oil with the remaining 20% made up of high quality oils and butters.
Incredibly mild, our formulation has a creamy, conditioning lather – and the sugar in the milk boosts the bubbles too! The high Olive Oil content makes it the perfect soap for sensitive or delicate skin.
New additions
Our early releases in our Bastille collection include a vegan Rice Milk soap and a Butter Milk with Egg yolk.
The purple hue of our vegan bastille soap is achieved by infusing Alkanet or Ratanjot root in olive oil for over 6 months. As well as providing the colour, alkanet root also has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Rice milk was our plant milk of choice for this soap, resulting in a mild soap with good moisturising properties, it helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin. The blend of three essential oils (Orange, Clary Sage and Ylang Ylang) is subtle and unites the earthy, herbaceous, floral and slightly fruity notes to evoke serenity and relaxation.
Launching in early 2023 is our hydrating Butter Milk & Egg Yolk Bastille soap. The natural properties of Buttermilk make it a luxurious ingredient choice. The lactic acid in butter milk makes an excellent natural exfoliant. The fusion of Buttermilk and egg yolk create the perfect combination for nurturing your skin. With an aroma that is calming, balancing and grounding, the floral notes of Geranium and Lavender combine harmoniously to produce a relaxing blend.
These soaps are only available online and unboxed ‘naked’.
Two artisan bars. One rope. Twice the delight.
Our Duo Soap on a Rope brings you a curated pair of our signature milk-soaps, handcrafted in Coastal Otago with care and intention.
Every bar is made with 100% milk (no water), no palm oil, no synthetic fragrances or colours, and a rope of recycled Oeko-Tex cotton — because we believe beauty should never cost the earth. The design ensures your soap dries cleanly between uses — no soggy bars, no waste, just lasting goodness.
Below are the current pairings
Annatto Citrus Scrub + Triple Butter (French Green Clay)
Annatto Citrus Scrub
Bright, zesty and invigorating — this bar is infused with annatto-infused olive oil for its gentle colour and skin-nourishing properties, layered with poppy seed and citrus peel powders for a gentle scrub. The essential oil blend offers antimicrobial and deodorising notes.
Triple Butter (French Green Clay)
This creamy bar marries three luxurious butters with goat milk, French green clay, and chlorella to deliver a rich, moisturising lather. Its’ essential oil blend lends a crisp, green, earthy scent that lingers softly on skin.
Walnut & Coffee Scrub + Hydrating Egg Yolk
Walnut & Coffee Scrub
A spirited wake-up call for your skin. With pulped walnut and finely ground coffee, this bar offers medium exfoliation and gentle abrasion. The carefully blended essential oils deliver a refreshing herbal-citrus aroma.
Hydrating Egg Yolk
This bar channels old-world luxury by using free-range egg yolks to intensify creaminess and promote hydration. Paired with glacial NZ clay, this soap detoxifies pores while leaving skin supple. Soft notes of earthy undertones and floral high notes complete the experience.
Annatto Citrus Scrub + Wild Kelp & Pumice
Wild Kelp & Pumice
For those who wish to turn shower time into a detox ritual: infused with wild sea kelp, fine pumice, and activated charcoal, this bar gently polishes and balances, while its warm, sweet-spice scent grounds and uplifts.
Annatto Citrus Scrub – see above for description
Vegan Duo — Soap on a Rope Pairing
Our latest offering is a Vegan Duo for plant-based devotees. It pairs two of our Bastille-style (80%+ olive oil) vegan milk soaps:
Rice Milk Bastille — infused with alkanet root, coloured naturally in soft violet hues, scented with a serene blend of Orange, Clary Sage & Ylang Ylang
Coconut Milk, Chamomile & Oatmeal Bastille — a soothing, creamy bar designed for sensitive skin, infused with chamomile and gently exfoliated with oatmeal
Together, they make a harmonious, moisturizing, and gentle cleaning ritual — especially ideal for delicate or reactive skin types.
SEE FULL INGREDIENTS BELOW FOR ALL DUO’s