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Morocco’s diversified climate and geography make it a hub of natural beauty and cosmetic products.
Deeply entrenched in religious rituals of cleanliness and purification combined with ancient Berber traditions, Moroccan beauty regimens are truly legendary.
From black soap scrubs and toning ghassoul to fragrant essential oils and soothing rose water, these Moroccan beauty products are as fascinating as they are magical.
Read along to find out the original treatments that inspired countless global brands to incorporate these authentic Moroccan beauty secrets into their own cosmetics.
Table of Contents
Moroccan Black Soap
Black soap or ‘beldi’ soap is the most common beauty product in Morocco. It’s entirely made from virgin black olive oil and is an essential part of the Moroccan Hammam ritual.
People have been using this organic purifier to exfoliate and cleanse their bodies since the 19th century. So naturally it has become quintessential to Moroccan culture and beauty regimens.
Ideally, you would go to a hammam and slather black soap all over your body. After you let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, you rinse vigorously.
Then you start scrubbing using the Kessa mitt to get rid of dead skin, built-up dirt, and excess oil.
The Kessa mitt is a coarse washcloth that you use to firmly massage your body to remove old skin cells.
Since black soap is very rich in vitamin E, it softens your skin and improves its elasticity.
This Moroccan beauty product is available everywhere in the country, whether plain or infused with essential oils (eucalyptus, rose, …).
Argan Oil
Argan oil is worldly renowned for its beneficial properties, whether for skin or hair. Argan trees are indigenous to Morocco and their oil has been used for centuries.
When grown in the right climate and soil conditions, this legendary beauty product can have tremendous effects on split ends, brittle nails, and even wrinkles
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The best Argan oil comes from the south of Morocco and some coastal cities like Agadir and Essaouira. Because the process of making it is very time-consuming, Argan oil can be pretty expensive to buy.
With that said, if you have the chance to visit the places where it’s manufactured in Morocco, you can definitely get it for much less.
Besides its cosmetic uses, Argan oil is also part of the Moroccan culinary scene, and many people have it with bread and mint tea for breakfast.
Prickly Pear Oil
Prickly pear oil, while relatively recent to the beauty scene, is also native to Morocco. This oil has the highest amount of vitamin E than any other beauty product.
In fact, prickly pear seed oil has as much as 150% more vitamin E than Argan oil.
In addition to that, it’s really rich in fatty acids (omega 6 and 9) as well as antioxidants and vitamin K.
This makes prickly pear oil highly sought after for its anti-aging properties but also how significantly it can reduce dark circles and acne scarring.
It’s also great for evening out skin tone and brightening up skin complexion.
But because you need half a ton of cactus fruit to produce one liter of this oil, it can be very expensive.
Rose Water
This fragrant water is made from roses that Morocco has been cultivating for centuries. Rose water is an absolute must-have in terms of Moroccan beauty products and regimens.
Extracted from fresh and budding rose petals, this tonic can be as rejuvenating as it is invigorating to the skin.
It’s most commonly used after a steamy hammam or a waxing session.
This mist gives a natural glow to the skin and helps control excess sebum, especially for people who struggle with oily skin.
In addition to that, it can reduce blemishes, protect from sun-exposure, soften the skin, and alleviate irritation.
Rose water is very soothing and most Moroccan women will use it as a refreshing spray during summer.
Orange Blossom Water
While orange blossom water is mainly used to make traditional sweets, desserts, and pastries, it’s also a common ingredient in Moroccan beauty routines.
This natural mist is made from distilled orange blossom petals and has unique properties that help soothe and moisturize the skin.
Thanks to its antiseptic and antioxidant attributes, orange blossom water is a great product to prevent bacterial infections as well as stimulate the skin and boost collagen production.
In addition to that, it’s perfect for all skin types and complexions.
For instance, if you have dry skin, a few sprays will leave you with a soft and glowy finish. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, orange blossom water can regulate excess sebum and cleanse the pores.
Ghassoul
Ghassoul is a Moroccan clay naturally sourced from the Atlas mountains and the outskirts of the Fez region.
This miraculous beauty product is commonly used as a body toner after the deep exfoliation Hammam process.
Because it’s rich in minerals, ghassoul is great for intense cleansing of your skin and hair without stripping them from their natural oils.
The name in Arabic means ‘that washes/purifies’. Some records show that this Moroccan beauty secret has been used for over 12 centuries as a multipurpose cleanser for the body, face, and scalp.
Moroccan women will typically mix the ghassoul powder with rose water and/or a mixture of essential oils for optimal results.
Aker el Fassi
Aker el Fassi is a red pigment made from pomegranate and red poppy extract. This is a very common item in any Moroccan woman’s skincare and makeup cabinet.
This red powder has been used by Amazigh women for decades, if not centuries, and makes a great color for natural cheek blush, eyes, and lips.
It’s widely available in vibrant reds and darker burgundies and mixes incredibly well with essential oils or any type of body oil.
In addition to that, it can also be used for hair care mixed with henna or ghassoul to enhance the shine and elasticity of hair strands. It’s also great for brightening up your skin complexion.