Hammam ritual: how to make black soap and a kessa scrubbing glove?

As part of the hammam ritual, it is applied to the body with vigour and to the face in a more gentle way. Afterwards, the skin is left feeling incredibly soft and toned, silky and firm.

Why use a black soap and kessa scrubbing glove?

The main purpose of the black soap scrub is to remove dead skin. To maximise its effectiveness, we recommend combining black soap with an exfoliating accessory. The two most commonly used are a crepe scrubbing glove, known as a Kessa glove, or a washcloth made from plant fibres, known as a loofah sponge in Egypt. This combination results in softer, smoother, more radiant skin. It is suitable for all skin types.

ORGANIC Eucalyptus essential oil black soap

• Purifying: Black soap deeply cleanses the skin, removing impurities and dead cells while leaving skin soft and clean.

• Energising and refreshing: It revitalises and refreshes the skin, restoring its radiance and tone.

• Toning: Black soap stimulates blood circulation, contributing to firmer, more elastic skin.

Moroccan Kessa exfoliating scrubbing glove

• In-depth exfoliation: The kessa glove removes dead skin cells, smoothes the skin and refines its texture.

• Stimulates circulation: By massaging the skin, it improves blood circulation and helps to firm and tone the skin.

• Improved absorption of skincare products: After exfoliation, the skincare products applied penetrate the skin more easily and are more effective. This prepares the skin to better absorb moisturising creams and oils.

Before exfoliating, it's essential to prepare the skin properly:

1. To open the pores and soften the skin, take a hot shower. This will make it easier to remove impurities and dead skin cells. The combination of heat and moisture dilates the pores and helps eliminate tension. And that's not all it does: it also clears the respiratory tract. Enjoy this moment of relaxation for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Moisten your skin before applying the scrub for better absorption and to avoid irritation.

3. Before exfoliating, we recommend that you leave the black soap to work for a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes). This will soften the skin even more and maximise the effectiveness of the scrub.

As mentioned, the exfoliating black soap is part of a series of preparatory and enhancing steps. So here's the complete home hammam ritual, with a special focus on the kessa scrubbing glove. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour.

1. Cleaning with black soap: Take your black soap. Rub it all over your body and leave for a further 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Exfoliating with a kessa glove: To rid the skin of dead cells and impurities, the crepe-like texture of the kessa glove or the plant fibres of the loofah sponge are an undeniable asset. But to get rid of the most stubborn blackheads, you'll also need to be vigorous: your movements should be firm, brisk and lively, and you should use a circular motion. For the most sensitive skin, you'll need to adapt the firmness of your movements and use less abrasive accessories.

3. Rhassoul body wrap: Have you got a bit of time left? Make the most of it by preparing a Rhassoul body wrap, for even greater softness and relaxation. To do this, mix your Rhassoul powder with water - spring water if possible - to obtain a creamy paste. Then apply it all over your body, and to your face if you wish, leaving it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.

4. Argan massage oil: The final touch to nourish and leave the skin feeling satin-smooth after this homemade treatment? A self-massage with Argan oil: Take the last 5 minutes to nourish the skin while once again activating the circulation in your body and face.

Scrubs should be applied to healthy skin. If you have wounds, cuts or burns on your skin, you should never exfoliate, as this could delay healing and aggravate the lesions. For people with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, scrubbing may intensify the symptoms.

Remember to moisturise your skin as you should. This applies at every level: so don't forget to hydrate from the inside! The ritual of mint tea at the end of the hammam makes perfect sense. But drinking water at room temperature is also effective. Drink as much as you like, until you're no longer thirsty.