The black soap jar on a stone bench in the hammam, an open jar and a kessa glove beside it

The Moroccan hammam, at home

Pure, by name. and by ritual.

Black soap, a kessa glove, Nila and argan, the way the hammam has always done it. Made in Morocco.

Shop the ritual How the ritual works

The ritual, step by step

  1. Step 1. Warm up

    Warm water and steam, the way a hammam visit begins.

    Time
    About 10 minutes
    You need
    Hot water, a closed door
    The tip
    Let the steam build before you start

  2. Step 2. Black soap

    Smooth it on and leave it for five to ten minutes.

    Time
    5 to 10 minutes
    You need
    Black soap scrub
    The tip
    Smooth it on, do not rub

  3. Step 3. Kessa

    Circular strokes with the glove lift away loose, dry surface skin.

    Time
    A few minutes
    You need
    The kessa mitt, warm water
    The tip
    Firm circles, never on broken skin

  4. Step 4. Nila

    Mix with rose water, leave ten to fifteen minutes, rinse. Once a week.

    Time
    10 to 15 minutes, once a week
    You need
    Nila powder, rose water, a small bowl
    The tip
    Keep it off very light skin the first time, it can tint

  5. Step 5. Argan

    A few drops to finish, while the skin is still warm.

    Time
    A few drops
    You need
    Argan oil
    The tip
    Warm the drops in your palms first
    Pure argan oil£15

Start to finish

The hammam, at home

Seven stops, in the order the hammam keeps.

  1. Step 1. Steam

    Close the door and let a hot shower fill the room.

    About 10 minutes

  2. Step 2. Black soap

    Smooth a thin layer over damp skin and leave it on.

    5 to 10 minutes

  3. Step 3. Kessa

    Firm circles on damp skin, one section at a time.

    A few minutes

  4. Step 4. Rinse

    Warm water, never scalding. Rinse everything away.

    Lukewarm water

  5. Step 5. Nila

    A thin layer with rose water, kept off the eyes.

    10 to 15 minutes, once a week

  6. Step 6. Argan

    Warm the drops in your palms and press them in.

    A few drops

  7. Step 7. Rest

    Cool down, drink water and stand up slowly.

    About 10 minutes

The whole thing takes about an hour. Patch test first, and keep steam short in early pregnancy.

Black soap, beldi

Olive oil soap, the way it has been made for centuries.

See the black soap

The shop

Everything in the ritual

Each piece is made in Morocco.

  • Nila stone

    Nila stone

    Grade 1, 70 g

    £40

  • Nila powder

    Nila powder

    Grade 2, 70 g

    £19.99

  • Nila soap scrub

    Nila soap scrub

    150 ml

    £32

  • Black soap scrub with kessa glove

    Black soap scrub with kessa glove

    Large jar and glove

    £27

  • Pure argan oil

    Pure argan oil

    50 ml

    £15

  • Deep exfoliating kessa glove

    Deep exfoliating kessa glove

    One size

    £10

  • Render, photo to comePrickly pear oil

    Prickly pear oil

    20 ml

    £35

  • Render, photo to comeRose hydrosol

    Rose hydrosol

    50 ml

    £14.99

  • Nila soap scrub with kessa glove

    Nila soap scrub with kessa glove

    Bundle

    £36

  • Aker Fassi cheek and lip tint

    Aker Fassi cheek and lip tint

    £7.49

    Sold out

  • Render, photo to comeBlue Nila soap with pouch

    Blue Nila soap with pouch

    Bundle

    £24.99

  • Render, photo to comeTurmeric soap with pouch

    Turmeric soap with pouch

    Bundle

    £20.99

  • Render, photo to comeTurmeric and kojic acid soap with pouch

    Turmeric and kojic acid soap with pouch

    Bundle

    £24.99

  • Render, photo to comeComplete Moroccan skincare bundle

    Complete Moroccan skincare bundle

    With black soap scrub

    £96.28

  • Render, photo to comeComplete Moroccan skincare bundle

    Complete Moroccan skincare bundle

    With Nila soap scrub

    £111.58

  • Render, photo to comeThe TahūR four-step set

    The TahūR four-step set

    Four steps in one set

    £93.59

  • Gift card, from £10

    Gift card

    From £10

    £10

Nila powder in a bowl beside a piece of the blue stone

Why the blue

The blue stone of the Sahara

What it is. Nila is indigo, from the plant Indigofera tinctoria, grown in the Souss. The stone is ground and mixed into a paste before it is used.

How it is used. Traditionally it is mixed with rose water or with black soap, left on for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinsed off. Once a week is the traditional rhythm.

Honest notes. Do a patch test first. Nila can tint very light skin for a short while. Keep it off broken or sunburnt skin.

Nila stone

Grade 1, 70 g

£40

Nila powder

Grade 2, 70 g

£19.99

Grade 1 and Grade 2 are the shop’s own grading.

A drop of argan oil falling from a glass dropper onto a stone, with argan nuts and leaves beside it
Argan, harvested in the south west of Morocco

Our story

Pure, by name

Ṭahūr is an Arabic word for pure, the kind of pure that cleanses. It is the name we chose, and the standard we try to meet.

طَهُور

The ritual follows the hammam’s order: steam, black soap, the kessa glove, then oil. Nila, traditionally used in Moroccan beauty rituals, is our blue step. It is all here in one place, so you can do it at home.

We grade our Nila ourselves, Grade 1 and Grade 2, and we say what we know and what we do not.

Everything is made in Morocco, and we sell nothing we would not use ourselves.

See the ritual

From Morocco

Four places, four traditions

Each one is where a part of the ritual is rooted.

The map shows where each tradition is rooted.

The Souss, south west

Argan country

The argan tree grows in the south west of Morocco, around the Souss plain. UNESCO inscribed the know-how of argan in 2014, naming the women who pass it from mother to daughter and the cooperatives they work in.

Sahara and the Souss

The blue of the desert

Nila is plant indigo, a crop that likes warmth and water, and the blue travelled north to the souks along the old Salt Road. In the Sahara, indigo veils tint the skin of those who wear them, which is why the Tuareg are called the Blue People.

Fez, the old city

Aker Fassi, the tint of Fez

Aker Fassi is named for Fez and is sometimes called the lipstick of Fez. Poppy petals are dried in the sun and ground, pomegranate peel is milled in, and the powder is set into a small handmade clay dish.

Kelaa M’Gouna, the Dadès Valley

The Valley of Roses

Around Kelaa M’Gouna the roses are picked by hand at dawn, in spring. The petals are steam-distilled, and the scented water left behind is rose water.

Made in Morocco.

Start here

Find your ritual

Four ways in, by how much time you have.

For a planned evening

The full hammam

Black soap, kessa, Nila and argan, in the hammam’s order.

  • About an hour
  • Once a week
from £27 See the set for The full hammam
A bar of turmeric soap in an open kraft box beside its closed box
Render, photo to come

Patch test first.

For a quick wash in the shower

The turmeric ritual

Turmeric soap and its exfoliating pouch.

  • A minute in the shower
  • Every other day to start
from £20.99 See the set for The turmeric ritual

Nila, the blue stone

Ground, mixed with rose water, left ten minutes, rinsed. The ritual’s blue heart.

Read the Nila guide

Ask the ritual guide

Not sure where to start?

Answers come from our own product notes, nothing else.

Example conversation

Visitor: Which one should I start with?

Guide: Start with the black soap and the kessa glove. Add Nila once a week, and finish with a few drops of argan.

Visitor: How long does the Nila stay on?

Or message us on WhatsApp

Good to know

Questions, answered

Using the products

Soap, glove and oil, step by step.

8 questions

How do I use the kessa glove?

After the black soap has sat for five to ten minutes, work the damp glove over the skin in firm circles. Rinse, then move on to Nila or argan. Body only, never the face.

How long do I leave the black soap on?

Five to ten minutes on damp, steamed skin. Then scrub with the glove and rinse well with warm water.

How often should I use the glove?

Start with once a week and use it no more than twice a week. Skip a session if your skin feels sore.

Can I use the soap and the glove on my face?

We recommend the soap and the glove for the body only. The glove is too rough for the face.

Is this the same as African black soap?

No. Moroccan black soap is a soft olive oil soap used in the hammam. African black soap is a different product made with plant ash and oils.

What is argan oil for?

The last step of the ritual. A few drops on warm skin, or through the ends of the hair.

Do I need a steam room?

No. A closed bathroom and a hot shower give you warm steam, though not hammam heat. Stand up slowly and stop if you feel dizzy.

What if I am pregnant, or my skin is sensitive?

Ask your GP, pharmacist or midwife first. Soap and scrubbing can irritate eczema and very sensitive skin, and long hot steam is best avoided in early pregnancy. This is a traditional ritual, not a treatment. If your skin reacts, stop, rinse with warm water and see your GP if it persists.

Nila

The blue step, once a week.

5 questions

How often should I use Nila?

Once a week is the traditional rhythm. Mix the powder with rose water into a paste, leave it ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse well. It is not meant for daily use.

Will Nila stain my skin?

It can leave a temporary blue tint, mostly on very light skin or if left on too long. Rinse well and wipe the basin, bath and towels straight away.

Stone or powder?

The stone is the pigment in lump form, which you grind yourself. The powder is ready to mix. Grade 1 and Grade 2 are our own grades.

Does Nila change my skin tone?

No. It is a traditional ingredient in Moroccan beauty rituals, and we do not claim it changes your natural skin tone.

Who should be careful with Nila?

Patch test on the inner arm and wait 48 hours before the first use. Keep it away from eyes and from broken, sunburnt or irritated skin. If you are pregnant, ask your GP or midwife first.

Orders and returns

Delivery, gifts and sending things back.

3 questions

Can I return something?

Unopened items can be returned within 14 days. Opened cosmetics cannot be returned for hygiene reasons, unless they arrive damaged or wrong.

Can I buy a gift card?

Yes. Gift cards start from £10.

How much is delivery?

Delivery is calculated at checkout, once your items are in the basket.

14-day returns on unopened items · Gift cards from £10

Black soap scrub with kessa glove

What it is

Black soap scrub with kessa glove

Large jar and glove

A traditional Moroccan black soap made with olive oil, used in the hammam before the kessa glove. Spread it gently over damp, steamed skin, leave it for five to ten minutes, then scrub and rinse. Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and clean. The glove comes with the jar.

£27

How to use

  1. Steam. Let a warm to hot shower steam the bathroom for about ten minutes, or soak in a warm bath.
  2. Apply. Smooth a thin layer over damp skin. Keep it away from your face, eyes and any broken skin.
  3. Wait. Leave it on for five to ten minutes.
  4. Scrub. With the damp kessa glove, work over the body one section at a time in firm circles, never so hard that it stings. Rinse well with warm water.
  5. Finish. Pat dry and moisturise. Argan oil is the traditional choice. Once a week is plenty to start.

Good to know

  • Patch test first. Keep it away from your eyes, and do not use it on broken, sunburnt or freshly shaved skin.
  • Use the kessa glove no more than twice a week, and stop if your skin feels sore or dry. If you have eczema or very sensitive skin, ask your pharmacist or GP first.

Pairs with
Deep exfoliating kessa glove

What it is

Deep exfoliating kessa glove

One size

The kessa is the coarse mitt of the Moroccan hammam, worn on damp, steamed skin after the black soap. Used together, they lift away loose, dry surface skin and leave skin feeling soft and smooth. Wet it, put it on and work it over the body in circles.

£10

How to use

  1. Soften. Steam for about ten minutes first. Skin should be warm and damp, never dry.
  2. Wet. Dampen the glove and put it on.
  3. Scrub. Work over one section of the body at a time in firm circles, never so hard that it stings. Body only, never the face.
  4. Rinse. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and moisturise.
  5. Care. Rinse the glove well, wring it out and hang it somewhere airy until fully dry.

Good to know

  • Use it no more than twice a week, and stop if your skin feels sore. Keep it off broken, sunburnt or freshly shaved skin.
  • Replace it when it thins, frays or smells musty.

Pairs with
Nila stone

What it is

Nila stone

Grade 1, 70 g

Nila is plant indigo, the deep blue pigment traditionally used in Moroccan beauty rituals. This is the stone, the pigment in lump form, to grind yourself. Mix it with rose water, apply, rinse. Graded by TahūR. Not a medicine.

£40

How to use

  1. Grind. Grind the stone lightly to a fine powder. Avoid breathing in the dust.
  2. Mix. Stir a small amount into rose water or plain yoghurt until smooth. Water alone can give a stronger tint.
  3. Apply. Spread a thin layer over clean skin, avoiding the eyes.
  4. Leave. Leave it for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water.
  5. Finish. Follow with argan oil or moisturiser. Use once a week.

Good to know

  • Patch test first, and wait 48 hours. Keep it away from eyes, broken skin, sunburn and irritated skin. Stop if your skin stings or reddens.
  • Nila can leave a temporary blue tint on very light skin and mark towels and basins. Rinse well and wipe up straight away. If you are pregnant, ask your GP or midwife first.

Pairs with
Nila powder

What it is

Nila powder

Grade 2, 70 g

Nila is plant indigo, the deep blue pigment traditionally used in Moroccan beauty rituals. This is the ready-ground powder: stir it into rose water, apply, rinse. Graded by TahūR. Not a medicine.

£19.99

How to use

  1. Mix. Stir a small amount into rose water or plain yoghurt until smooth. Water alone can give a stronger tint.
  2. Apply. Spread a thin layer over clean skin, avoiding the eyes.
  3. Leave. Leave it for ten to fifteen minutes.
  4. Rinse. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
  5. Finish. Follow with argan oil or moisturiser. Use once a week.

Good to know

  • Patch test first, and wait 48 hours. Keep it away from eyes, broken skin, sunburn and irritated skin. Stop if your skin stings or reddens.
  • Nila can leave a temporary blue tint on very light skin and mark towels and basins. Rinse well and wipe up straight away. If you are pregnant, ask your GP or midwife first.

Pairs with
Nila soap scrub

What it is

Nila soap scrub

150 ml

A scrub for the soap step of the ritual, made with Nila, the blue pigment traditionally used in Moroccan beauty rituals. Smooth it over damp, steamed skin, leave it for five to ten minutes, then scrub and rinse. Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

£32

How to use

  1. Steam. Let a warm to hot shower steam the bathroom for about ten minutes.
  2. Apply. Smooth a thin layer over damp skin, away from your face, eyes and any broken skin.
  3. Wait. Leave it on for five to ten minutes.
  4. Scrub. With a damp kessa glove, work over one section at a time in firm circles, never so hard that it stings. Rinse well with warm water.
  5. Finish. Pat dry and moisturise. Once a week is plenty to start.

Good to know

  • Patch test first. Keep it away from your eyes, and do not use it on broken, sunburnt or freshly shaved skin.
  • Nila can tint very light skin for a short while and mark towels and basins, so rinse well. Use the kessa glove no more than twice a week.

Pairs with
Pure argan oil

What it is

Pure argan oil

50 ml

Pure argan oil, 50 ml. It comes from the kernels of a tree that grows in south-west Morocco, where women have passed the know-how from mother to daughter. A light oil that softens and conditions skin, hair ends and nails.

£15

How to use

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse, and leave your skin slightly damp.
  2. Warm. Warm two or three drops between your palms.
  3. Press. Press into face, neck and hands, and smooth a drop through the ends of your hair.
  4. In the ritual. Use it last, while your skin is still warm and slightly damp.

Good to know

  • For external use. Patch test first, keep away from eyes, and stop if irritation appears.
  • If you have a nut allergy, ask your doctor before use.

Pairs with
Prickly pear oilRender, photo to come

What it is

Prickly pear oil

20 ml

Prickly pear seed oil, 20 ml. Pressed from the seeds of the prickly pear, a fruit grown across southern Morocco, and it takes a great deal of fruit to make a little oil. A few drops at night leave skin feeling soft.

£35

How to use

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse, and leave your skin slightly damp.
  2. Warm. Warm two or three drops between your fingertips.
  3. Press. Press gently over face and neck at night.
  4. Finish. Add your usual moisturiser if you like.

Good to know

  • Patch test first, and do not use it if you are allergic to prickly pear.
  • Keep away from eyes. It is not a tanning oil, so avoid it before sun exposure.

Pairs with
Rose hydrosolRender, photo to come

What it is

Rose hydrosol

50 ml

Rose water, 50 ml. A fragrant floral water distilled from rose petals, the flower Morocco’s Valley of Roses is known for. Mist or sweep it over clean skin to freshen, or stir it into Nila.

£14.99

How to use

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse your skin.
  2. Freshen. Mist from arm’s length, or sweep on with a cotton pad.
  3. Mix. Stir a little into Nila to loosen it into a paste.
  4. Set. Mist lightly over make-up if you like.

Good to know

  • Patch test first, as natural rose scent can trigger a fragrance allergy. Keep out of eyes.
  • Keep the cap on, use it before the date on the bottle, and do not drink it.

Pairs with
Aker Fassi cheek and lip tint

What it is

Aker Fassi cheek and lip tint

One small dish

Aker Fassi, the traditional Moroccan lip and cheek tint of Fez. Dried poppy petals and pomegranate peel, finely ground and set in a small clay dish. Wet a fingertip, dab, and build a sheer, rosy colour slowly, layer by layer.

Sold out

How to use

  1. Dampen. Dampen a fingertip or soft brush with water or rose water.
  2. Lift. Touch the surface of the dish to lift a little colour.
  3. Dab. Dab onto lips or the apples of the cheeks and blend.
  4. Build. Build in thin layers, then let the dish dry.

Good to know

  • Patch test first and keep well away from eyes. Go lightly on cracked lips.
  • Keep the dish dry. Stop using it if it looks damp, smells off or irritates.

Pairs with
Turmeric soap with pouchRender, photo to come

What it is

Turmeric soap with pouch

Soap bar with exfoliating pouch

Turmeric soap with an exfoliating pouch. Lather the bar in the pouch for a rich foam that cleanses and lightly exfoliates. Rinse well, moisturise, and wear sun protection. Turmeric can tint skin and towels yellow.

£20.99

How to use

  1. Patch test. Try it on the inner arm first.
  2. Lather. Wet the pouch and rub the bar to build a lather.
  3. Wash. Smooth over damp skin for up to a minute, avoiding the eyes, then rinse well.
  4. Finish. Moisturise, and wear sun protection by day.
  5. How often. Start every other day, and stop if your skin turns red or sore.

Good to know

  • Turmeric stains, so rinse well and keep pale towels away.
  • Patch test first: turmeric can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Avoid eyes and broken skin.

Pairs with
Turmeric and kojic acid soap with pouchRender, photo to come

What it is

Turmeric and kojic acid soap with pouch

Soap bar with exfoliating pouch

Turmeric and kojic acid soap with an exfoliating pouch. Lather the bar in the pouch for a rich foam that cleanses and lightly exfoliates. Rinse well, moisturise, and wear sun protection. Turmeric can tint skin and towels yellow.

£24.99

How to use

  1. Patch test. Try it on the inner arm first.
  2. Lather. Wet the pouch and rub the bar to build a lather.
  3. Wash. Smooth over damp skin for up to a minute, avoiding the eyes, then rinse well.
  4. Finish. Moisturise, and wear sun protection by day.
  5. How often. Start every other day, and stop if your skin turns red or sore.

Good to know

  • Contains kojic acid; patch test first.
  • Kojic acid can irritate or cause an allergic reaction. Avoid eyes and broken skin, and wear sun protection by day. Turmeric stains, so rinse well.

Pairs with
Preview, not the live shop