The Hammam Ritual at Home: Exfoliation, Black Soap and Relaxation

The hammam is far more than a steam bath: it's a care ritual passed down over centuries. The good news is that you can recreate its essentials in your own bathroom. Here's how, step by step.

Step 1: open the pores with heat

Begin with a nice hot shower or bath. The steam softens the skin and prepares it for exfoliation. Stay under the warm water for a few minutes, let the steam fill the room and savour this first moment of relaxation.

Step 2: apply the black soap

Apply a thin layer of black soap to damp skin, then leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. This olive-based plant paste prepares the skin for exfoliation and leaves it supple. This is the heart of the hammam ritual.

Step 3: exfoliate with the kessa glove

Take a kessa exfoliating glove and rub the skin in circular movements. Exfoliation lifts away dead skin and leaves the skin smooth and soft to the touch. Rinse with clear water: the “new skin” feel is immediate.

Step 4: cleanse and nourish

Finish cleansing with an Aleppo soap, then, on still-damp skin, massage in a few drops of plant oil to nourish the skin. Argan is perfect for this final step.

Step 5: extend the relaxation

Wrap yourself in a warm towel and treat yourself to a moment of rest. The hammam ritual is also a moment for yourself, to be savoured without rushing.

The home hammam kit

To get started, you need three essentials: a black soap, a kessa glove and an Aleppo soap. Find them brought together in our hammam gift sets, ready to give or to treat yourself.