Middle Eastern beauty traditions are finally getting the recognition they deserve

How to try it: Buy the original Musk Al Tahara – it doesn’t have a direct Western equivalent. Or upgrade your body wash to one that leaves a gentle scent on the skin, like Diptyque L’Eau Papier Gel de Parfum Body Wash.

Aleppo Soap

Hailing from Syria, Aleppo soap is one of the world’s oldest cleansers, crafted from olive oil and laurel oil using a centuries-old method. For families across the Middle East, it’s more than soap – it’s a medicine powerhouse. Used on skin, hair, and even clothes, it soothes dryness, calms eczema, and deeply cleanses without being too harsh on the skin. Its earthy, herbal scent and simple formula speak of tradition and simplicity; just a few natural ingredients, trusted for generations to nourish, protect, and heal. It’s also an incredible skin softener.

How to try it: Try the original skin softening Aleppo soap, or this Aesop nourishing soap bar.

Chewing Sticks (Miswak)

Miswak, or siwak, is a natural teeth-cleaning twig cut from the Salvadora persica tree that’s become popular on TikTok for its teeth whitening effects. Used for over 7,000 years across the Middle East, it’s praised for whitening teeth, strengthening gums, and freshening breath – all without toothpaste. Its bristles release natural antibacterial compounds, making it both ritualistic and functional. It remains a cultural staple – a zero-waste, travel-ready toothbrush that embodies simplicity and tradition while delivering real oral health benefits.

How to try it: Using a Miswak once a week, or switch your regular toothpaste to Marvis Whitening Toothpaste.

Alum Stone Deodorant

Before crystal deodorants hit Western health stores, alum stone was a Middle Eastern bathroom essential. This translucent mineral block is moistened and rubbed underarms to neutralise odour naturally. Rich in potassium alum, it creates an invisible shield that inhibits bacterial growth, keeping skin fresh without synthetic fragrance or aluminium salts. For many, it’s prized for its purity, affordability, and longevity – a single stone can last for months.

How to try it: Switch your deodorant for an alum stone one. If you can’t give up the regular deodorant altogether, then Fussy and AKT make travel-friendly deodorants that smell beautiful without being overly harsh on the delicate arm pit skin.

Moroccan Mitt (Kessa Glove)

At the heart of the hammam ritual is the kessa glove, or Moroccan mitt – a textured exfoliator that, paired with black soap, sloughs away layers of dead skin. Across North Africa and the Middle East, it’s part of a communal, cleansing tradition that goes beyond beauty: hammams are spaces of renewal, bonding, and ritual. The mitt’s dramatic peeling effect leaves skin baby-soft, improves circulation, and preps the body for nourishing oils. What makes it so special is its cultural weight – an exfoliating glove that connects self-care with heritage, community, and centuries-old rituals of purification.

How to try it: One of the original Kessa Gloves, or try this Elemis body scrub that delivers exfoliation and nourishment combined,

Oil-based fragrances

Oil-based fragrances, often alcohol-free, are prized for their richness, longevity, and halal suitability. Ouds, musks, and florals are blended into concentrated oils worn directly on pulse points or layered with bakhoor incense for a truly immersive scent experience. Unlike Western eau de toilettes that fade in hours, these oils cling to the skin for the entire day, evolving with body heat. Perfume here isn’t just cosmetic, it’s cultural: a mark of hospitality, spirituality, and daily adornment woven into identity.