You Haven’t Experienced Clean Until You’ve Tried the Turkish Bath

What if you could get smoother and brighter skin with inexpensive and all-natural tools? I’ve been practicing a Turkish bath at home for almost ten years, and this ancestral method has genuinely changed how I approach skincare.

Chapters

• What Are the Benefits of a Turkish Bath?
• Tools You Need for a Turkish Bath
• Where to Source Authentic Tools for a Turkish Hammam
• How to Recreate a Turkish Bath at Home
• Unpopular Opinion: We Deserve Better Bathing Rituals

I learned about the traditional Turkish bath deep within the pages of Google (I’m talking, like, page 12). My skin isn’t exactly thriving in the elasticity department, and I was desperate for a real solution to stretch marks. So, there she was. An internet mom presenting a foolproof ancestral solution I’d never heard of before. It had to work.

I got the traditional bath mitt and olive oil soap, and set out to try the Turkish bath for myself. The experience was so life-changing that I genuinely started judging the standard American bathing methods. You simply haven’t experienced clean until you’ve tried the Turkish bath.

So after many years of a regular Turkish bath ritual, I’m sharing it with you. This ancient cleansing method has a long-standing track record because it works. It’s helped me reduce stretch marks, scars, uneven skin, and dry patches — and it makes my skin super soft and hydrated. It’s also nontoxic and uses exfoliating tools that are much more affordable than what you’ll find at the drugstore.

What Are the Benefits of a Turkish Bath?

Silky Smooth Skin

Whether it’s bumpy skin, dry patches, or cellulite, the Turkish bath seems to polish it all away. I’ve used other exfoliating tools in the past, but truly nothing compares to the combination of Moroccan black soap and the Turkish bath mitt.

Reduce Cellulite, Stretch Marks, and Bumpy Skin

Despite trying dozens of skincare products, I’ve had keratosis pilaris on my elbows for as long as I can remember. Imagine my shock after finishing the Turkish bath to find it completely gone.

Better Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage

Regular exfoliation helps improve circulation throughout the body. As you rub away dead skin cells, you’ll notice some redness appear under the skin. This is normal and a sign of healthy blood flow.

Cleanse Dead Skin Cells

Craving a good scrub to remove dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells? The Turkish bath helps open pores and promote cellular turnover.

Better Skincare Product Absorption

It’s a tradition in the Turkish hammam to finish your bath with argan oil moisturizer. The product should absorb better, now that dead skin cells are out of the way.

Tools You Need for a Turkish Bath

When you visit the Middle East for an authentic Turkish bath (or hammam), they’ll use many more tools than the ones I mention here. Consider this your simplified and shower-approved version. You’ll use just a handful of traditional tools (like the kese, beldi soap, and argan oil) for quick and effective results.

Turkish Bath Mitt (Or Kese)

Thousands of years before the shelves of Target were lined with colorful exfoliating gloves, the Turks created the kese. It’s made completely out of natural fibers, like goat hair, wool, or linen. The trick is the weave. The Turkish bath mitt is woven in such a way as to slough off dead skin cells and exfoliate just with the fabric. When you find an authentic kese, you’ll notice the fabric isn’t rough or raised like a modern exfoliating glove. Instead, it feels just a bit stiff with a strong weave.

Moroccan Black Soap (Or Beldi Soap)

Trust me, exfoliating without Moroccan black soap (or beldi soap) is a waste of time. I don’t know what kind of magic they put in this stuff, but it penetrates deep into the skin and prepares it for exfoliation like nothing else. I’ve used the Turkish bath mitt with and without Moroccan black soap, and this is a critical step that comes with amazing results.

The texture of beldi soap is different from anything we use in the States. It’s made with olive oil paste, dates, and natural oils, and it tends to be thick and gooey. You may notice your skin feels a bit dryer right after use, and it can be challenging to apply at first. But trust the process, it’s worth the effort.

Argan Oil (Or Body Oil)

After a traditional hammam, the skin is both soft and vulnerable. Heavy exfoliation can be temporarily irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin. To counteract this, argan oil is used as a moisturizer to replenish the skin cells. While I do love argan oil and its powerful benefits, this is where I deviate slightly from the traditional Turkish bath. My favorite body oil is the Toups and Co brand. It’s a more elevated skincare product with a variety of scents, and it isn’t greasy when you apply it. I just find this to be a more fun and relaxing experience than argan oil.

Hammam Towel (Or Your Finest Towel)

This is a traditional Turkish towel that uses a flat weave for ultra-comfort and quick drying. Just like their bath mitt, this textile is impressively woven, made from natural fibers, and is a beautiful addition to any bathing ritual. It’s not essential for a Turkish bath at home, but it absolutely elevates the experience. If you’ve been to a hammam in Turkey, you’ll remember these towels and want to fill your bathroom with them.

A Comfy Robe

If you want to do a Turkish bath right, you’ll need to spend a few minutes sitting in hot steam before hopping in the bath or shower. The goal is to open your pores and prep your body for deep exfoliation. Although a comfy bathrobe isn’t required, it definitely makes this process more relaxing and enjoyable.

Where to Source Authentic Tools for a Turkish Hammam

I usually get these products on Amazon, and they last for a few months or longer. For Turkish bath mitts, look for inexpensive products made from natural fibers. The Moroccan black soap should include just a handful of ingredients, usually olive oil paste, dates, and essential oils.

How to Recreate a Turkish Bath at Home

1) Experience

This isn’t the kind of bathing ritual you rush through. A proper Turkish bath should relieve tension and help your nervous system relax. Bring an audiobook, music, or your favorite TV show, and prepare to sit and soak.

2) Steam

Before you begin the Turkish bath routine, you’ll want to open your pores and prepare your skin for exfoliation. Traditionally, you’d sit in a steam room. At home, you can turn your shower on full-blast and relax in the steam until you’re ready for the next step. You can also heat up bath water and submerse yourself for about fifteen minutes.

3) Soap

Scoop out a quarter-sized amount of Moroccan black soap from the container. Gently massage it anywhere you plan to exfoliate. You’ll notice a slight “squeaky” or dry feeling with this soap, which is normal and a good sign. Give the soap a few minutes to absorb into your skin and keep the hot water running in your bathroom. When you’re ready to exfoliate, gently rinse off.

4) Exfoliate

Now that your skin has been properly steamed and soaped up, it’s time to exfoliate. First, dampen the kese. Then, begin scrubbing your skin in a circular motion. Focus on dry areas, cellulite, stretch marks, or any part of your body that needs a little extra love. You should actually see the dead skin cells peel away, especially if you let the Moroccan black soap soak in. Once finished, you’ll rinse off and feel refreshed, cleaner than ever, and maybe a bit tired.

5) Moisturize

Exfoliation is hard on your skin, especially Turkish style. That’s why it’s important to follow a couple rules: always moisturize after exfoliating and only repeat this process about once a week. Traditionally, argan oil is applied to the skin as a moisturizer. I find this to be a bit greasy for my taste, and it doesn’t fit the luxury experience. I prefer either a tallow balm or body oil. You can also use your favorite nontoxic lotion or coconut oil in a pinch.

Unpopular Opinion: We Deserve Better Bathing Rituals

In Western culture, we often view self-care as a chore. Anything that isn’t profitable is a waste of time, right? But our ancestors thought of bathing as a much-needed ritual to help them slow down, care for their bodies, and reflect. I think we need more of that in modern life. 

This experience also made me wonder, what other bathing methods are we missing in our culture today? Traditions like the Turkish hammam have been around for thousands of years, and they’re cheaper, more effective, and less toxic than modern alternatives. From Turkey to Rome, Greece, and Egypt, I continue to learn and feel inspired by how ancient cultures cared for their skin.

---

*This article contains affiliate links, so I may receive a commission if you make a purchase. I only partner with brands that I absolutely love and personally use.