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Black soap and Rhassoul: secrets of Moroccan beauty rituals

Written on : 04 March 2020
By : Léa Frémiot
Black soap and Rhassoul: secrets of Moroccan beauty rituals

Passed down from generation to generation, black soap and Rhassoul are products with exceptional virtues well known for the beauty secrets of Moroccan women. 
The only country in the Maghreb to have preserved the traditions of black soap making but also the only country to produce Rhassoul, Morocco has unique riches, which allow it to preserve its tradition of well-being and especially the hammam in which these products are part of the ritual. While waiting for your next stay in Morocco to discover these treasures we give you here all the information on these two beauty products from the Moroccan culture. 
 

Black Soap

Black Soap

Used since the dawn of time, black soap has its origin in the Aleppo soap produced in Syria. Manufactured in the region of Essaouira, the traditional production of black soap is today exclusive to Morocco. Composed from olive oil and vegetable soda which are stones cooked at 1000 degrees and reduced to powder or obtained by burning plants, black soap is a 100% natural product. Its composition can vary with the addition of water, salt or essential oils but also according to its intended use. Indeed, we find today many derivatives of black soap and especially for household cleaning or garden for its cleaning powers outstanding. 
Having a main role in the hammam experience, black soap comes in the form of a dark paste that on contact with water becomes very creamy. The virtues of this product have made its success over time since it has many benefits for the skin. Indeed, it is generally used as an exfoliant or scrub thanks to its small grains with abrasive power. Very rich in vitamin E, it protects the skin from external aggressions and has calming, moisturizing and soothing properties. The black soap is suitable for all skin types because it is completely natural and there is no risk of allergies. It is even said in Morocco that it would be an excellent way to fight against the signs of aging skin.  
You can get black soap easily on the internet and at a relatively low price but we advise you to bring it back directly from a trip to Morocco to be sure of its authenticity and composition. In addition, the locals will provide you with the best possible advice on how to use your black soap, which will quickly become an essential part of your beauty routine. 
 

Rhassoul

Just like black soap, Rhassoul is a little jewel of oriental beauty secrets. Its name comes from the Arabic "rassala" which means to wash oneself.  Called Ghassoul in France, it is a natural mineral clay of grey to brown colour, composed of silicon and lithium. Rhassoul comes from the clay soils of the Middle Atlas region, where the only deposits in the world supplying Rhassoul are found. The Moroccan royal family has in particular the exclusivity of a part of the production which is reserved for its personal use so much the properties of this clay are appreciated. Just like black soap, it is a beauty product that is passed down from generation to generation and has a tradition of being offered to brides at weddings. Rich in magnesium and iron oxide, Rhassoul is sold in the form of tablets or directly as a powder or it will be diluted in water to be used. It is a totally natural and hypoallergenic product since it has no controversial substances such as paraben or surfactant. 
Rhassoul is used to cleanse the skin and has virtues to get rid of impurities, to degrease the skin and to regulate sebum because it acts as a blotter in contact with the skin. It is ideal as a mask after a black soap scrub for a radiant skin. This miraculous clay is also used as a shampoo because it has the advantage of not attacking the protective film of the skin or the protective sheath of the hair. 
Like the traditional floral waters, argan oil and black soap, you will easily find Rhassoul on sale in France but we advise you to bring it back as a souvenir of your Moroccan stay.