At Manjeri Skincare, we’re passionate about discovering and sharing global body care rituals that have stood the test of time. Our new focus is on educating our community about traditional body care practices worldwide, beginning with the Hammam ritual. This ancient Middle Eastern and North African tradition combines skincare and mindfulness, bringing transformative benefits to both body and spirit.
What is Hammam?
Originating centuries ago, Hammam, also known as the Turkish or Moroccan bath, draws inspiration from Roman bathhouses. Traditionally practiced in bathhouses, this ritual is all about deep cleansing, exfoliation, and nourishing treatments. Hammam is a holistic approach to skin wellness, breaking down into four main steps: steam therapy, exfoliation with a Kessa glove, a purifying Ghassoul clay mask or black soap treatment, and nourishing oils.
Let’s dive into each step and discover how these rituals can elevate your body care routine.
1. Steam Therapy: Preparing the Skin for Rejuvenation
Why Steam Matters: The Hammam begins in a steam room, where heat and humidity open up pores and release impurities from deep within. This softening effect primes the skin for exfoliation and allows upcoming treatments to penetrate more effectively.
Skincare Benefits:
- Detoxifies: Steam encourages sweat, helping to flush out toxins from the body.
- Increases Circulation: The warmth boosts blood flow, supplying skin cells with oxygen and enhancing your natural glow.
- Hydrates: Steamy environments leave skin refreshed and moisturized, making it an ideal preparation for the next steps.
2. Deep Exfoliation with the Kessa Glove: Smoothing and Revitalizing
Why Exfoliate? After steaming, the next step is to use a Kessa glove – a coarse-textured scrubbing mitt – to gently exfoliate. This process removes dead skin cells and impurities that regular cleansing often misses, revealing fresh, radiant skin.
Skincare Benefits:
- Reveals Smooth Skin: Regular exfoliation helps improve skin texture, leaving it softer and more even.
- Enhances Absorption: Removing dead skin allows subsequent products to penetrate deeply.
- Reduces Dark Spots and Blemishes: Consistent exfoliation can promote an even skin tone over time.
3. Ghassoul Clay Mask or Black Soap: Purify and Rebalance
Why Apply a Mask? The Hammam ritual often includes applying black soap or Ghassoul clay, a mineral-rich, volcanic clay from the Atlas Mountains. Black soap deeply cleanses and moisturizes, while Ghassoul clay purifies and provides essential minerals.
Skincare Benefits:
- Detoxifies: Both black soap and clay have purifying properties, ideal for congestion-prone skin.
- Balances Oil Production: Ghassoul clay regulates oil without over-drying.
- Infuses Minerals: Rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium, Ghassoul clay has anti-aging and skin-smoothing effects.
4. Nourishing Oils: Locking in Hydration and Radiance
Why Oils? After cleansing and exfoliating, the final step is to apply nourishing oils, often infused with ingredients like argan or almond oil. These oils lock in moisture and leave the skin with a radiant finish.
Skincare Benefits:
- Locks in Moisture: Skin absorbs oils readily after exfoliation, keeping it hydrated and supple.
- Promotes Elasticity: Rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E, oils like argan and almond promote skin firmness.
- Leaves a Radiant Glow: Regular use of oils can help prevent dryness, enhancing your natural glow.
Bringing Hammam Rituals Home
Although traditionally experienced in a bathhouse, Hammam-inspired rituals can be brought home with just a few essentials. Here’s how:
- Steam Preparation: Take a hot shower in a closed bathroom to create steam.
- Exfoliation with a Kessa Glove: Massage damp skin with the glove in circular motions.
- Use of Black Soap or Ghassoul Clay: Apply to the skin, let sit briefly, then rinse.
- Nourish with Oils: Choose oils that match your skin type, such as argan or almond oil.
Why Embrace Hammam for Body Care?
By learning about and practicing Hammam-inspired body care, you’re not only refreshing your skin but also honoring an ancient tradition of self-care and mindfulness. Hammam rituals detoxify, exfoliate, purify, and nourish, making your body care routine a holistic experience. As we explore traditional rituals from around the world, we hope these time-tested techniques inspire and enrich your journey to glowing, healthy skin. Stay tuned as we share more insights from our journey into global body care practices, one ritual at a time.
