Luxary Soap, Lavender, Papoutsanis, 125g

Scanning the Internet for Greek-made products to purchase, I found an online store that sold Greek foods, gifts and beauty products, including this soap. In addition to my food purchase, my first order included Papoutsanis Lavender and Magnolia aromatic soap. When opening the box upon arrival, the perfume smell was overwhelming. After letting the apartment air out, I unwrapped the bars and began using them regularly as satisfied customer. In fact, Papoutsanis can expect another repeat customer. The soaps add a nice scent to the bathroom that is just right and not as overwhelming as my initial exposure.

The one downside of this product is that it does dry the skin. These are not moisturizing olive oil soaps but conventional hard soaps presumably made from an alkaline substance. As such, they are excellent cleaning soaps for hands but are probably not good for hair as the Greek olive oil soap are.

The strategy of helping the faltering Greek economy through small purchases is tenuous. Yet, there are excellent Greek soaps, wines, olives, figs, cheeses easily obtainable in the United States, which don't cost all that much more than common alternatives. Admittedly, this is putting a band-aid on a bullet wound, but it can't hurt the Greek export economy. If you are looking for an inexpensive soap that produces a pleasing scent, give the Papoutsanis aromatic soaps a try.