Discovering traditional Moroccan beauty: Zakia's Black Soap with Argan Oil (20% discount !)



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Zakia's Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove
Zakia's Morocco Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Glove

The first time you see Morroccan black soap, you might scratch your head and wonder what on earth that thing is. I know I did. I first discovered black soap in France when I went to a hammam, the traditional spa-like Turkish bath that spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa during Ottoman times. 


Zakia's Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove


Moroccan black soap looks like a semi-transparent thick paste with a greenish black tint. You wouldn't think it's a cleanser if no one told you! Moroccan women have been making this cleansing paste for centuries to keep their skin healthy and radiant, using a soap recipe based on olive oil. The natural scent of this paste is also a bit surprising at first: it smells like cooked olives and soap I would say, but the smell is not very different from other olive oil based natural soaps. Zakia's Morocco actually makes scented versions in case you prefer more a more classic fragrance (eucalyptus, lavender, orange blossom). 


Zakia's Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove swatch

The black soap comes in a plastic jar, and you just need to take a little piece to cleanse your entire body. You can spread it with your hands, but you get more lather by using a bath puff. Black soap always leaves me feeling like I've done a deep cleanse without drying out my skin. I love to use it after a sweaty workout, like hot yoga or a summer run, because it makes me feel perfectly clean. The non-drying aspect is also super important for me, as the skin on my body can become horrifically dry (crocodile scales included) if I use anything that strips natural moisture away. The fact that this version of Zakia's Morocco Black Soap contains not only olive oil, but also argan oil, has a lot to do with this cleanser's gentleness. 


Zakia's Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove

Traditionally, black soap is also used with a kessa glove, an exfoliating mitt with a rough, loofah-like texture that gives your body a good scrub. This is a typical step in the hammam cleansing ritual to remove all impurities and dead skin cells. Now, I just told you last week that I stopped mechanical exfoliation on my face, however I still do it regularly on my body. Not only is the skin there a lot less sensitive, but scrubbing also helps with specific issues such as ingrown hair and rough/bumpy skin due to friction from your clothes. The kessa is quite scratchy and when you use it on damp skin softened by black soap, you should basically see dead skin pilling and rolling off the surface. Scary (don't do this on your face or on irritated skin of course) but it uncovers soft, silky skin. In Turkey, I've had hammam attendants scratch me with the kessa harder than they would scrub their kitchen floor... You don't have to be so rough to get a thorough exfoliation, and using the mitt once a week is all you need for softer skin! 


Zakia's Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove
Black Soap on top of the kessa mitt 

Overall: Zakia's Morocco Black Soap is a fun way to experience Oriental spa traditions at home. I love that it makes me feel super clean without drying out my skin. 

Where to buy? On the brand's website


Beaumiroir readers get a 20% off discount on the ENTIRE store at zakiasmorocco.com, including argan oil with code ZMBLOG-164 ! *


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The product featured in this review was provided by the brand for consideration. I received no compensation other than a free sample to write this post, which only reflects my personal opinion. This post contains affiliate links.
* offer is valid for 30 days.


2 comments

  1. I would never had thought this was a cleanser.
    Can you believe I have never ever been to a hammam? I would love to go some day, it sounds like such a pleasant experience.


    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    Replies
    1. Oh, you really should! I always come out of the hammam feeling renewed and relaxed!

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