The history of Berber women is a long one. Their tribe stretches out all over North Africa, which gives them a unique culture with influences of Mediterranean, African and European areas. These women are independent, free and determined to maintain their identity in present times. Their jewelry and care for their skin and hair is what makes them remarkable. That their ancient beauty rituals and secrets work can be seen at the young-looking skin of elderly North African ladies. Their skin regenerates itself due to genetics but mostly because of their healthy life-style and beauty routines. We'll share with you 5 ancient beauty secrets of Berber women.
Berber Beauty Secret 1
HAMMAM
A hammam is a bathhouse that consist of multiple dry and steamed rooms wherein anyone can clean their body and soul by using traditional bathing rituals (mostly performed by someone else). It's usual that anyone goes at least once a week to the Hammam. Traditionally the hamam is not only a cleansing place, it's also a gathering point for friends and family in the neighborhood.
In poor neighboorhood the hamam are small and modest and is often the only place for the community to take a bath, since they don't have water. In the big city and rich neighborhoods the hammam are more luxurious and spa-like.
Wether you enter a small modest or a luxurious hammam its essence is the same, the purification of the body and soul with the Hammam rituals:
- After entering the hammam, you get ready to enter the steamrooms. Hamam etiquettes can differ, traditionally men and women are separated and enter the steamrooms naked or with panties on and a hammamtowel.
- In the steamroom, it is important to give your body and soul the time to relax and enjoy the warmth. This way your pores open up, in the meantime you apply savon beldi (black soap) and relax for at least 15 minutes.
- After rinsing the savon beldi, the scrub session begins. Scrubbing is done with a kees or kessa (exfoliating glove), this can be done by yourself, by a family member or friend, or you can pay an attendant to do so.
- Your skin is now exfoliated and free from all the dead skin, you can do the rest of your shower rituals (haircare routines, face mask). In the hammam you can see that people use Akar Fassi, Ghassoul Clay and / or Henna. We'll discuss these beauty ritual secrets hereafter.
- After finishing the bathing rituals it is time to get dressed and rest. Many hammams have a resting room wherein you can relax and drink a Moroccan tea.
Berber Beauty Secret 2
GHASSOUL CLAY
Ghassoul is an ancient Berber clay mask that dates back to the 8th century. This clay is a natural mineral clay that is applied on the body, face and hair.
The Ghassoul clay mask is a cleanser, detoxifier and exfoliator without harming the skin. Clay masks in general absorb oil and impurities from the skin. Ghassoul clay is unique in its way because it can be used on all skin types. It is very absorbing but not rough. This way it works on oily skin, acne-prone skin and dry skin. Besides cleansing the skin it has anti-aging and moisturizing properties due to the minerals that is found in the clay.
Berber women add this clay as part of their bathing/shower rituals in the hammam or at home. Read HERE more about this one-of-a-kind clay!
BUY HERE the ghassoul clay.
Berber Beauty Secret 3
AKAR FASSI
A lesser known beauty secret, but very interesting one is the Akar Fassi. Akar Fassi is a grind of poppy flowers and the rinds of pomegranate resulting in a red or pink powder. It is used as a natural beauty cosmetic, as a natural skin- and haircare treatment. This powder contains flavonoids, anti-oxidants and alkaloids. It softens the skin and hair, and brights the skin.
Berber women used Akar Fassi also as a blush and a rouge for the lips, this was way before lipsticks and blush were a thing!
Berber Beauty Secret 4
ARGAN OIL
Argan oil has been used by ancient and current Berber tribes. The Phoenicians (1550 B.C.) wrote about the application of this oil on their hair and skin and its magnificent benefits. According to modern research this oil contains Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Stearic Acid. Which makes it a natural anti-aging moisturizer, it hydrates and protects the skin for the external environment, and get absoberd very well on every skin type!
Berber women use this as part of their daily skincare routine or as a moisturizer to add in clay masks. Read HERE more on this so called "liquid gold".
We designed two products that contain argan oil. Read more about the Morning Elixir with argan oil and the Eye Night Elixir with more than 80% Argan Oil. Try it out and see its magic happen on your skin.
Berber Beauty Secret 1
PRICKLY PEAR OIL
Prickly Pear oil has been used for centuries as a protectant for the skin by Berber women. Berber women use this oil as part of their daily skincare routine or as a moisturizer in clay masks. Click HERE to add prickly pear oil in your daily skincare routine.
This "miracle fruit" oil contains a high amount of vitamin E, K and anti-oxidants. Prickly Pear oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles, it soothes marks and scars and it makes dull face instantly glow without being greasy. It rejuvenates the skin and reduces any sign of aging. Berber women call this oil the "miracle fruit" oil for a very good reason, we like to call this oil the "Natural Botox". Read HERE more about this Natural Botox and all its benefits.
