If you’re heading to Morocco on a wellness retreat, then it’s well worth checking out some local Moroccan spa treatments. The country offers a unique range of traditional wellness practices that have been perfected over centuries. From the rejuvenating Hammam experience to luxurious argan oil massages, you’ll find a treatment to enhance your trip.
In this guide, we’ve curated the most popular Moroccan spa treatments to inspire some pampering and rejuvenation ideas for your wellness break.
Hi! I’m Caroline, your wellness retreat travel guide. I’ve worked in the wellness industry for 15+ years & been lucky enough to stay at amazing health resorts around the world. Let’s get you inspired & prepared to go on your own retreat…
Moroccan Hammam
Morocco is renowned for its traditional Hammam rituals and it’s one that most wellness travellers can access easily. Most spas and wellness hotels will have Hammam facilities or you can visit a public one if you prefer. Either way, it’s a serene, steam-filled sanctuary where the stresses of daily life melt away.
Hammam is a traditional bathhouse experience that’s as much about relaxation as it is about cleansing. Your journey typically begins in a warm steam room, where the heat opens your pores and prepares your skin for deep cleansing. You’ll be lathered with black soap, a luxurious olive-based paste that softens and purifies.
Next comes the exfoliation. Using a kessa glove, a therapist will gently scrub away dead skin cells, revealing smooth, rejuvenated skin underneath. This step leaves you feeling incredibly clean while also boosting circulation and invigorating the senses.
After the scrub, you can choose to indulge in other Moroccan spa treatments from this list. Or simply relax and enjoy the soothing setting a while longer. The Hammam process concludes with a refreshing cool rinse, closing your pores and leaving you feeling completely revitalised.
Treatment Tip: Wear a bathing suit if you’re visiting a public Hammam and be ready to embrace the communal (yet totally relaxing) nature of this ancient ritual.
Argan Oil Massage
Morocco is known for its argan oil which is produced in the heart of the country. It’s used as a luxurious massage oil to deeply moisturize and nourish the skin. With essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a typical massage treatment.
During an argan oil massage, the therapist will use long, flowing strokes to apply the warm oil. They’ll work it into your body and muscles to relieve tension and improve circulation. The unique properties of argan oil help to soften the skin, and are thought to reduce inflammation and help heal minor irritations.
Most Moroccan spas will offer argan oil massages so they’re easy to find if you’re visiting.
Rhassoul Clay Treatments
Mineral-rich rhassoul clay has been used for centuries in Moroccan beauty rituals. This natural clay, known for its detoxifying and exfoliating properties, offers a deeply cleansing treatment that leaves your skin feeling renewed and radiant.
The process begins with mixing the rhassoul clay with water or rose water to create a smooth paste. Applied to the skin, the clay works to absorb impurities and excess oils while gently exfoliating dead skin cells. As it dries, you’ll feel a tightening sensation, a sign that the clay is drawing out toxins from your pores.
After the clay has done its magic, it’s rinsed off, leaving your skin incredibly soft and smooth. Often, this treatment is followed by a moisturizing argan oil application to lock in the hydration and enhance the skin’s glow.
Black Soap Exfoliation Scrub
There’s nothing more satisfying than a thorough exfoliation. If this is up your street, then why not try the ancient Moroccan wellness tradition of deep cleansing with a black soap scrub?
This treatment begins with the application of black soap, or beldi soap, a unique olive-based paste that softens the skin and prepares it for exfoliation. Its rich, buttery texture and high vitamin E content make it a nourishing treat for your skin.
Once the black soap has been applied and left to sit for a few minutes, a kessa glove is used to scrub away dead skin cells. The result is incredibly smooth, rejuvenated skin that feels refreshed and renewed. This exfoliation process can help remove impurities and stimulate circulation, leaving you with a natural, healthy glow.
Rose Water Spa Treatments
Rose water is a beloved element in Moroccan skincare. It’s distilled from the petals of Damask roses and known for its gentle, yet effective, benefits for all skin types. Rose water’s soothing and hydrating properties make it an ideal ingredient in numerous Moroccan spa treatments.
In a rose water treatment, the fragrant water is typically applied as a toner, helping to balance the skin’s pH and tighten pores. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness and irritation, making it a perfect choice for those with sensitive skin. Rose water is hydrating, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
Herbal Steam Baths
If you liked the sound of Hammam, then you’ll love the therapeutic world of Moroccan herbal steam baths. In these treatments, aromatic herbs such as eucalyptus, mint, and rosemary are used to enhance the detoxification process. This traditional style of treatment combines steam with the benefits of medicinal herbs to cleanse, relax, and invigorate.
The herbal steam bath begins with you seated in a warm steam room infused with the essence of these healing herbs. The steam opens your pores and promotes sweating, which is thought to flush out toxins from the body. The aromatic herbs are intended to ease congestion and refresh your senses, while also providing a gorgeous scent.
Saffron and Honey Masks
Saffron and honey are treasured ingredients in Moroccan skincare and spa treatments. Saffron, known for its brightening and anti-inflammatory benefits, and honey, a natural humectant, come together to create a nourishing face mask that leaves your skin radiant and hydrated.
To create this mask, saffron threads are typically infused in warm water or milk to release their potent properties. This saffron-infused liquid is then mixed with honey to form a smooth paste. Applied to the face, this mask is thought to even out skin tone, reduce redness, and deeply moisturize, leaving your skin soft and glowing.
Many local and hotel spas will offer saffron and honey masks as part of a treatment package.
Share Your Fav Moroccan Spa Treatments…
Moroccan spas offer a wealth of traditional and innovative wellness practices to choose from. Whether you’re indulging in a Hammam, enjoying the soothing benefits of rose water, or detoxifying with rhassoul clay, these rituals offer profound benefits for body and mind.
Incorporating these spa treatments into your wellness break is an ideal way to experience a touch of Moroccan luxury and nurture your well-being in a truly unique way. What’s your fav treatment? Let us know on Instagram…
