Beldi soap, also called Moroccan black soap, is one of the country’s most iconic cosmetic products, along with others made from argan oil. In this case, the soap we are discussing in this post does not contain that type of oil, but it does contain other natural ingredients that are very beneficial for the skin. We analyze it in depth and tell you where you can buy or apply this very ecological solution.
A soap that is not soap
The first thing we have to clarify about beldi soap is that it is not a soap. That is: it is not intended to cleanse the body and, in fact, practically does not generate foam, as it lacks surfactant or surface-active ingredients, which are what generate said foam in detergent products. In any case, since these are the popular names in the country and abroad, we will continue to refer to it as beldi soap (which, by the way, means ‘country’ or ‘local’) or Moroccan black soap.
So, what is it for?
If beldi soap is not used to cleanse the body, what is it for then? Well, in this case its objective is the preparation of the skin for a subsequent exfoliation. The effect produced by this Moroccan black soap is to soften the dead skin that remains on the outermost layer, so that it can then be removed more easily with a kessa glove, another popular and necessary product in the cleansing and wellness rituals of hammams.
What does this Moroccan black soap contain?
As we said, beldi soap does not contain argan oil in its composition: in this case, the great protagonist is the olive. The recipe for this cosmetic product uses olive oil, mixed in turn with crushed black olives, which have previously been macerated in salt. In addition, to achieve certain nuances, other ingredients can be added, such as eucalyptus essential oil, which provides freshness, softness and a balsamic effect, suitable for vegans.
How is beldi soap applied?
To get the best results from beldi soap, it is important to use it correctly. In particular, knowing when to use it. This product should not be used at the beginning of the shower or the ritual of a hammam, but should be applied when the skin is damp after having applied hot water and, if possible, when the environment is full of hot steam. At that moment, the pores of the skin open, releasing toxins, so it is also the perfect time to apply this soap which, in reality, fulfills more the function of lotion.
After that, it is advisable to leave this lotion or beldi soap on the skin for a few minutes, ideally 10 minutes, then remove it and proceed with the exfoliation ritual with a kessa glove.
Where to find this product?
Your trip to Morocco can be a perfect opportunity to get in touch with authentic beldi soap. The really traditional way to enjoy its benefits would be in a hammam: performing the complete ritual, room by room, you could apply the beldi soap on your skin as the men and Moroccan women do, when arriving at the hot room.
But you can also take the opportunity to buy it in a local store: beldi soap is sold in supermarkets, but also in organic cosmetics stores, so there’s nothing better than here to get a premium beldi soap, along with the aforementioned kessa glove, which are not so easy to find in physical stores outside of Morocco.
And, why not, you could also be encouraged to make it yourself in an artisanal way because, as we have seen, it is composed of natural ingredients, many of them easy to find: olive oil, black olives, etc.
