top 10 middle eastern beauty secrets you’re missing out on

To strive for beauty is something all women can relate to. But how did ancient women keep their skin smooth and grow their luscious hair without modern cosmetics? In this cultural article we’ll take you on a journey to beauty secrets from the Türkiye to Somalia, the Middle-East to North-Africa. Don’t miss out on the secrets!

1. Rosewater

Rosewater, is a colourless water with a light rose scent that is produced by distilling rose petals. It’s known for it’s naturally toning and anti-bacterial properties because of it’s anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory contents, leaving the skin healthy, soft and smooth. Hence, making it a perfect natural toner and the most popular choice for ethnic women since ancient times. Rosewater can be found in almost every MENA household, a staple of the Mediterranean. It’s culturally offered to guests in Turkish homes. For cosmetic use, Turkish women use cotton to lightly apply it over the face. Although now it is sold in practical spray bottles. So for soft, smooth and acne-free skin without harsh chemicals, rosewater is a great choice.

To use: pour rosewater in a spray bottle, and spray on the face every morning and night. Make sure the face is clean and damp or dry before use.

A place popular for it’s rosewater is Isparta, Türkiye. The city in Türkiye popular for it’s rose fields. The specialty of this city is that, it’s soil happens to be a perfect environment for the roses to grow naturally without hormones or chemicals. Making the roses of extremely high-quality. Because of these reasons, Isparta is one of the most biggest and best producers of roses in the world (since about 150 years), which is why it’s rosewater and rose oil are sold globally. If you remember the Turkish delight from Narnia, you might not know that rose-flavoured Turkish delight has the same amazing aromatic rose taste that rosewater does!

To identify which rosewater is pure and unaltered (with preservatives or alcohol) always check the ingredient list. The only ingredient listed should be Rosa Damascena. You can find a lot of rosewater in Türkiye, but there are a lot of rosewaters that are fake or poor quality. (for example: only water with rose extract or flavouring.) Also check the expiration date, as rosewater can be stored for a long time, but they may try to sell an older one for expensive while you can find a lot of fresh rosewater for a reasonable price. Pure rosewater can also be found in Middle-Eastern grocery stores. As it is also used as a kitchen ingredient for desserts. I recommend you buy these kinds of rosewater, because you also have cosmetic rosewater sold in drugstores or from cosmetic brands but these are often likely diluted or formulated with citric acid and other chemicals.

2. Olive oil

Olive oil for skin and hair is the most beneficial type of oil. It is a wonder of the Quran and Sunnah. With it’s high content of nutrient contents and fatty acids it’s the best choice of oil to go with. because olive oil is not popular in mainstream skin/haircare many people would more think of it as a kitchen
ingredient. But olive oil has been used for centuries by people for the skin.
Olive oil has multiple uses, and can be used as an ointment, oil cleanser, etc. It’s a truly great natural moisturizer.

It is also known as preventing cancer and lowering cholesterol levels.

Did you know the famous Hollywood actress Sofia Lauren was known for bathing in olive oil and that it was her beauty secret for smooth and radiant skin?

It was narrated from ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

‘Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”

(Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3319)

Ps. Using olive oil as a make-up remover is not recommended as the chemicals mixing with the oil can produce an allergic reaction. Especially when it comes to the skin, be mindful of mixing and experimenting with different products. Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe.

3. Miswak

Miswak is a natural ancient toothbrush that comes from a tree. This is also a sunnah(habit) of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.V.) and is very highly recommended by him. It has been used for the long of times and it still is in tons of countries from the Middle-east and Africa. The Miswak has tons of benefits like being good for the teeth gums, and whitening the teeth. It can also help give a more pleasant breath.

Narrated Anas:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I have told you repeatedly to use the Siwak. (The Prophet (ﷺ) put emphasis on the use of the Siwak.)

(Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 888)

To use: cut off the outside bark about one 1 cm from the top, and soak in water for about 10 minutes to soften. Chew on the exposed top and it will start to have the consistency of a brush. For every use wet it and rub on the teeth with gentle, circular motions.

Miswak can be found in most middle-eastern cosmetic or Islamic stores. Although a warning, the Miswak does not replace the regular use of a teeth-brush and toothpaste!

4. Sidr Powder

Sidr powder is a naturally cleansing powder that comes from the Ziziphus spina-christi tree. The sidr plant is native to the Middle-East and North-Africa. Also known as Qasil powder, a Somalian beauty secret.

To achieve Sidr powder, the leaves of the Sidr tree are dried in the sun and ground up to be a fine powder. This powder, can be used as a shampoo, skin treatment, etc. To cleanse both the skin and hair, as it can be a natural alternative to shampoo, and the moisturizing properties to the hair protects it and promotes hair growth.

To use: pour the sidr powder in a bowl and mix with water until it becomes a paste. Rub the paste between hands to lather and apply on the scalp or skin.

5. Alum stone

Alum stone is actually a mineral block that can be used as natural deodorant. it has been used since ancient times by Middle-Eastern women and other Asian/African countries. The appearance is a white, colourless and odourless crystal stone. it’s even used for water purification and medical purposes. It has anti-bacterial properties which can also be effective against acne. The stone has skin-tightening properties, which can make your pores appear smaller.

To use: after showering make sure the skin is clean. Wet the armpit area or the stone, and rub gently and slowly on the skin. Massage the stone on the skin. it can help reduce razor bumps and ingrown hair after shaving. but be careful, as it is a salt stone, so immediate use after shaving may burn or sting a little.

Daily use is good, excess use is not recommended because it might dry or irritate the skin. Although the possibility is not high, for precaution safety, do a patch test to test for allergies and apply in moderation.

And in my humble opinion it does not replace actual deodorant if you’re a sweaty-girl. But as it has a lot of benefits for the skin and is de-odorizing, you could use it for your feet and back-acne too for example.

6. Hammam kessa glove

The Kessa glove, is an exfoliating glove originating from the ancient practice of Hammam (Turkish Baths) said to originate from Morocco, making it an Ancient Moroccan beauty secret. It is made of a thin but coarse and sturdy fabric that is very effective at exfoliating your skin of dead skin cells and other dirt, leaving your skin soft, smooth and with clean pores. Yes, this also means bye bye, stubborn ingrown hairs!

To use: run warm water on your skin for about ten minutes. After a warm shower/bath the steam and warm water will help your skin pores open up. After, wet the kessa glove with warm water and squeeze the excess water out. Now, it’s ready to use! To exfoliate, rub your skin back and forth like you’re massaging it or in circular motions. Apply extra pressure when needed but be mindful. if you notice the greyish play-dough like rolls rubbing off your skin, that’s the dead skin coming off and you know it’s working! There might be some redness on your skin after(from the rubbing), but this will quickly go away.

Doing this will stimulate blood circulation and unclog your pores. You’ll feel like a feather after. Visual results after first use!

7. Black seed oil

Also known as the oil of black cumin or Nigella sativa, has been used since ancient times as a herbal remedy and prophetic medicine, recommended by our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.V.) in multiple hadith. The oil has a slight bitter taste.

Abu Hurairah narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:

“In black seed there is healing for every disease, except the Sam.” “Sam means death. And black seed is Shuwniz.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5687)

The black seed oil is an excellent oil with many benefits to count. It supports the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a very nutritious oil with fatty acids which is why it is such a good superfood to add to your diet if you want to increase the nutrition and health of your body. BSO can even be linked to supporting healthy hair growth, and is good for treating skin conditions.

To use: You can take the oil with a teaspoon for a day, or in cooperate it in your diet however you like, since this oil is also used for cooking, although using it for frying is not recommended. For medicinal use consult a doctor.

8. Cupping (Hijamah)

cupping is a traditional medicinal therapy that you can still have done today. There are many hadith by our prophet that emphasize the benefits of this therapy. Cupping has benefits like improved blood-circulation and blood flow, pain-relief, improved mental-being, rids the body of toxins and impurities, relieves fatigue and the list goes on.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

(The Prophet (ﷺ) said), “Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing).” But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire.”

(Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5680)

Special cups (like glass) are put on the body after a small incision has been made. With a vacuum, the suction makes it so the blood is drawn out.

9. Mediterranean diet

Most women have been on diets because they think they have to limit their food intake, but sometimes we forget how important nutrition is. If you understand how a food pyramid works, you know how important it is to get the nutrition your body needs from a balanced diet. We incorporate this according to our own regional cultures and values. A balanced diet supports skin and hair health.

The Mediterranean diet, originating from the Mediterranean region is a balanced diet that contains carbs, nuts, fruits and vegetables, oils like olive oil, meat and fish, eggs, dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, milk and poultry.

An example of this diet being practised is the Turkish breakfast. While the Western breakfast often consist of one plate serving, the Turkish breakfast is like an open buffet but served at the table that consist of different breakfast side-dishes. These side dishes contain different foods like omelet/egg, olives, feta cheese, a serving of cut cucumber and tomatoes, butter and honey(to be dipped with bread), pastirma(dried cured beef), kaymak(a Turkish cream that comes from the skim of milk/ rich fatty product that comes from the fat of the milk).

The reason why this is such an excellent breakfast is that it is not only nutritious and varied, it is also refreshing and light because of the dish choices. So you do not feel heavy, but energised. This is a very healthy habit, and known as one of the most healthy breakfasts of the world. Although if you don’t like doing dishes that’s another story…

10. Aleppo soap

This soap is a special soap that originates from Syria (hence the name Aleppo, which is a city in Syria). It is a natural vegan soap formulated with it’s most popular ingredient: Olive oil. The appearance is a thick, square, green, dry, soap bar with a slight earthy scent. The olive oil makes the soap’s moisturizing properties to the skin. Leaving the skin soft and smooth while cleansing. Olive oil works great for dry, flaky and inflamed skin. The oil of Bay Laurel can help against eczema, dermatitis and acne. overall, this makes the soap anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antifungal.

Final thoughts

Although young girls and women are being advertised cosmetic products all the time, there are actually a lot of natural and budget-friendly ways to practise self-care.

And some of these things which have been practised and emphasised by our prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) for centuries before there was modern science research, shows the genius truth of him and what a great man he, the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is.

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