The word “Marseille” in this product name refers to a classic soap tradition known for a high olive oil content and a gentler effect on skin. Traditional Marseille soap is often associated with solid blocks or bars and a firm texture. This Floresan product takes the same olive oil heritage and places it in a different format: a soft beldi soap inspired by the hammam bathing tradition, where a soft soap is applied before mechanical exfoliation.
That distinction explains the texture. Hard Marseille soap is used directly on the skin or rubbed in the hands until it lathers. Beldi soap, in contrast, is dense and gel-like, and the product information describes it as being designed to be massaged over damp skin. It is not a solid bar to rub on the body; you take a small amount, spread it, and combine it with a washcloth or bath glove to lift away softened residue. The core idea — a mild olive oil cleanser that leaves skin smoother — is shared with the Marseille tradition, but the method is closer to the hammam ritual.
If you were hoping for a traditional hard soap block, this is not that product: the beldi format is soft and paste-like. If you want an olive-oil-based soft cleanser that works as a pre-exfoliation step, this product fits that role better than a bar. The name therefore points to the soap’s heritage, not to the format in the bottle.