Rhassoul

Rhassoul, or ghassoul (Moroccan Arabic: الغاسول, romanized: l-ġasul), is a cosmetic made of natural mineral clay mined from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It is combined with water (and sometimes various herbs or other substances) to clean the body and has been used by North African women for centuries to care for their skin and hair. Rhassoul contains silica, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, lithium and trace elements.[1]

For the Algerian municipality, see Ghassoul.

Chemical analysis of Rhassoul has found that the concentrations of lead and copper found in non-elaborate samples of Rhassoul were low. However, when Rhassoul was mixed with other products, these concentrations increased. [2]

Location

The Rhassoul or Ghassoul products come from the only known deposits in the world. These deposits are bordering the middle Atlas chain, in the Moulouya’s valley, 200 km from the Moroccan city of Fes.[3]

Uses

The use of rhassoul is believed to date back to the 8th century. Today, rhassoul is mainly used in traditional Moroccan hammams and in Turkish baths. Along with a glove, or "kessa", Rhassoul is used as a facial mask and poultice to the body. It is similar to a Western-style mud wrap. It is intended to soften the skin, reduce sebum secretion, regenerate the skin by removing dead cells and rebalance the skin by tightening the pores,[4] however, while there are lots of claims about how it might be able to help your skin, there isn’t very much research to substantiate these claims.[5]

According to Salaheddine Hammadi, who markets and sells rhassoul, "[it] does not replace shampoo, but can be used on greasy hair twice a week, and once a week on dry hair. It will not affect the color of dyed hair."[6]

References
  1. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Natural Beauty Products by Sally W. Trew, Zonella B. Gould
  2. El Fadeli, Sana; Pineau, Alain; Lekouch, Nadra; Sedki, Azeddine (1 July 2010). "Analysis of traditional pharmacopeia product from Morocco 'Rhassoul'". Analytical Chemistry: An Indian Journal: 2–3. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. Rhassoul Ghassoul - Moroccan Rhassoul Ghassoul clay - Lava Clay
  4. Handbook of Medical Tourism Development by María Todd, p. 202
  5. "What to Know About Rhassoul Clay". Retrieved 29 April 2022. Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on October 25, 2021.
  6. "Rhassoul Ghassoul - Moroccan Rhassoul Ghassoul clay - Lava Clay | Moroccan Rhassoul Ghassoul clay". Moroccan Rhassoul Ghassoul clay.
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