Are you in Morocco for your holidays? This is the perfect opportunity to redo your cupboards and bring back useful, authentic and natural souvenirs for your bathroom or those of your loved ones.
Morocco is full of traditional beauty treasures that have been used for generations and are renowned for their benefits for skin and hair. Whether you are looking for argan oils, black soap or ghassoul clay, this article will reveal all the beauty secrets of Moroccan women and men.
Where to buy Moroccan cosmetic products?
How to bring your products back by plane?
WHAT TO BUY IN THE MOROCCAN SOUK? THE KEY COSMETICS
Learn how to choose quality products, discover the ancestral rituals that enhance the skin , and leave with the best advice and anti-scam tips to buy these local wonders at great prices. Get ready to transform your beauty routine with natural ingredients straight from oriental secrets!
Argan oil
A must-have , used both in cooking (when the almonds are roasted) and in cosmetics. This oil is known for its nourishing and revitalizing properties , perfect for skin and hair. Very rich in vitamin E, it helps prevent skin aging and deeply moisturizes.
Thank you argan 🙏🏻
Mainly located in the southwestern regions of Morocco, many hectares of argan trees were cut down in favor of more profitable crops before the value of the argan tree and its fruit was recognized. This last "green curtain" was revalued in the 1990s and was the subject of new plantations.
Don't get me wrong, this tree that you will surely come across on the road to Agadir or Essaouira may seem dead to you. No! It is resting, the argan tree can live up to 7 years without a drop of water!
👉🏻 Buying argan oil is much more than a beauty ritual: you help promote the protection and planting of argan crops while helping to support the women's economy.
⚠️ Beware of scams! ⚠️
A little caution when purchasing: this oil can often be “cut” with another oil and then loses its virtues (you can see this by shaking the bottle and observing that the different oils dissolve).
📍 Where to buy Argan oil in Morocco?
The ideal would be to buy it in Essaouira, some good addresses would be " Côté Oriental ", "Chez Makki " or even the Tiguemine Cooperative in Essaouira.
If your stay does not allow you to make an excursion to Essaouira, make sure to find the “ Naturelle d'Argan ” or “ Ecocert ” range on your bottle, which is a guarantee of quality.
👛 What price to buy Argan oil in Morocco?
The price of argan oil on the markets soared between 2021 and 2022 to reach 600 dirhams per liter (€60) , while it fluctuated between 230 and 250 dirhams (€23 and €25). Don't be fooled, if argan oil is cheap, it is probably because it has been cut or of poor quality!
Black Soap
This is THE product that can be found everywhere in Morocco. Always used in the Maghreb countries, its many benefits have allowed it to cross borders to serve today as a natural ingredient in body and facial care.
This natural scrub is a blend of macerated black olives, vegetable oil and potash. Traditionally used in hammams, it gently exfoliates, moisturizes the skin and leaves it soft and radiant.
Don't forget to buy a Kessa glove for an effective exfoliant. The latter eliminates dead skin cells and activates microcirculation.
👉🏻 The little tip for sensitive skin: if your glove is too rough, let it soak in warm water for at least 10 minutes before using it. This will make the exfoliation gentler for sensitive skin. 😉
👛 What price to buy black soap in Morocco?
The price at the traditional souk: between €2 and €6 for a 200 to 250 gram jar.
The real local price: around 8 to 10 dirhams (0.8 cents and 1€) per kilo.
Ghassoul
This clay is ideal for hair and skin. Applied as a mask, it cleanses and purifies, while leaving the skin and hair incredibly soft. It is part of the ritual when you go to the hammam!
Ghassoul differs from black soap in its composition. It is a natural mineral clay extracted from the mountains of Morocco. It is rich in minerals such as magnesium and silicon. Its use consists more of a purifying treatment, absorbing excess sebum and impurities , than an exfoliating effect like black soap. Ghassoul is ideal for sensitive skin and oily skin.
👛 What price to buy Ghassoul in Morocco?
The price at the traditional souk: between €2 and €6 for a 200 to 250 gram jar.
The real local price: around 8 to 10 dirhams (0.8 cents and 1€) per kilo.
Henna
Traditionally used to dye hair, nails and skin, henna strengthens, moisturizes and leaves a natural tint. Highly appreciated for its nourishing properties, it is a symbol of oriental beauty.
🤔 Are henna tattoos in Jemaa el Fna square safe?
When visiting Jemaa el Fna Square, it is common for women to approach you, sometimes insistently, to offer henna tattoos. However, it is important to be careful: some tattoo artists add PPD (paraphenylenediamine) to henna to make it more resistant. This substance, used in some hair dyes, can cause potentially serious allergic reactions in some people.
Additionally, there are risks of transmitting hepatitis C and hepatitis B, especially if you are not vaccinated.
If you fall for this symbol of oriental beauty, make sure to agree on the price BEFORE you get the tattoo. To give you an idea, the price of a henna tattoo in Jemaa el Fna square should not exceed €10 (100 dirhams).
👛 What price to buy Henna in Morocco?
If you want to buy henna to take home, expect to pay between 30 and 100 Moroccan dirhams (3 and 10€) for 100 grams .
Beauty... and natural health
Nigella Seeds (sanouge)
Nigella seeds, or black cumin, come from the Nigella sativa plant. Used for centuries in cooking and traditional medicine, they are rich in nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. They boost immunity, improve digestion and are used in various natural remedies.
In cooking, they flavor breads and savory dishes with their slightly bitter and peppery taste. In Islamic tradition, they are considered a universal remedy for many ailments.
👛 What price to buy Nigella seeds in Morocco?
The price of bulk nigella seeds can range from 50 to 100 dirhams for 100 grams (5 to 10€). If you opt for nigella seeds packaged in bags or pots, the prices can rise between 70 and 150 dirhams for 100 to 200 grams (7 to 15€).
Mint crystals or eucalyptus crystals
Have you heard of “Vaporub stick”? Well, these crystals are very similar, except they are 100% natural and just one of these crystals is more powerful than the whole stick!
In Morocco, the glitter is obtained by crystallizing the sap collected from the eucalyptus stem. This is harvested by hand, then placed on a fabric to be crystallized under the Moroccan sun.
Ideal for use in case of colds, they can also replace mint in the preparation of tea.
👛 What price to buy mint crystals in Morocco?
The price at the traditional souk: between €5 and €10 (50 MAD and 100 MAD) for a small pot of a few grams.
The real local price: less than €5 per small jar.
WHERE TO BUY MOROCCAN COSMETIC PRODUCTS?
Contrary to what one might think, it is better not to buy at the souk. Remember the universal rule: tourist area = tourist price (especially if you do not like to negotiate and you accept the prices offered without trying to lower them).
Opt for more “local” areas, like the old Jewish quarter . This is where the locals shop, so why not you? The prices are generally more attractive, and the quality is there.
HOW TO BRING YOUR PRODUCTS BACK FROM THE SOUK BY PLANE?
Yes, some Moroccan products may be subject to restrictions or bans when you transport them by plane, whether for security, customs or species and environmental protection reasons. These include food products such as meat and dairy products (no worries if you want to bring back some Moroccan pastry delights 😜). The ban also affects certain plants.
Regarding Moroccan cosmetic products, there are no restrictions . Be sure to package liquid products, such as argan oil, well to avoid leaks.
Be careful, generally speaking, all airlines limit liquids to 100 ml for cabin luggage! It would be a shame to lose your liter of argan oil ardently negotiated at the souk!
💡 On the other hand, a good idea to adopt is to opt for group and quantity purchases. Create your own small, personalized gift baskets. You will find in the souks many small bottles that will allow you to distribute your products. The best part is that these small bottles give a much nicer charm to your gifts and your bathrooms than plastic bottles!