Updated: 22/03/2026
Looking for traditional Arabic beauty secrets that use simple ingredients to improve your skin and hair – and smell divine? Here are nine to discover and try at home.
Based on my experience living in Oman, this guide brings together traditional beauty rituals I’ve seen and tried, from frankincense and rosewater to henna and oils—simple practices steeped in history that have worked for generations.
A few years ago, I was sitting in a tiny room in Jabel Al Akhdar – the Green Mountain in Oman. Thousands and thousands of Damask rose petals had been picked from the rose gardens and collected in a woven rose basket. I watched my Omani friend pour them into a Burmah (also called Barama) — a large traditional clay pot. I watched the traditional way of making rose water. The scent filled the space and I felt like I was melting into it.
Rose water has been used here for centuries — as a face mask, a perfume, and even to help with headaches. This moment was my first real glimpse into the world of Arabic beauty rituals.
In Oman, and across the Arab world, beauty rituals are tied to culture, nature, and daily life. From frankincense steam to henna glosses to rose water, these practices are simple, practical, and still used today. In this post, I’m sharing 9 traditional Arabic beauty rituals – Most of them are easy to try at home using simple ingredients.
Picking Damask roses by hand in Jabal Akhdar is the first step in the process of making traditional rose water.
In a world where the latest beauty fad goes viral, these ancient beauty practices may sadly be labelled as ‘old fashioned’ by some. However, their ease to follow and effectiveness have stood the test of time. Generations have used them and continue to.
You’ll smell it everywhere in Oman — soft, resinous, slightly citrusy, drifting through homes and clothes. That’s frankincense, called Lubaan in Arabic. It is resin from the Boswellia Sacra tree in Dhofar, southern Oman.
It’s been part of daily life here for centuries, not just as a scent, but as something people turn to for cleansing and care. Traditionally, it was infused into oils and balms, used to smooth the skin, help it recover, and bring back a sense of clarity.
If you go back to classical Arabic remedies, you won’t find complicated skincare routines — just frankincense ground down and stirred into oils or balms, used in a straightforward way to help the skin stay smooth and even.
What it does: Helps soften the skin and improve its texture, leaving it feeling smoother and more even. It is anti-aging.
What you need:
Instructions to make it:
A few fun facts:
Believe it or not, your Friday night cocktail shares a linguistic root with this traditional eyeliner. The Arabic word al-kuḥl (الكحل) originally referred to the fine powder used for eye makeup. Over time, the term was adopted by medieval scientists to describe any highly refined substance—before eventually coming to mean the distilled liquid we now call alcohol.
Kohl was believed to protect against the evil eye. In parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, it wasn’t just about appearance—it carried meaning. In some traditions, small dots of kohl were applied to babies to help protect them from the “evil eye,” a belief linked to harmful or envious gazes.
I’ve taken the real, documented Masirah process and shaped it into a clear 5-step structure. Masirah is an Omani island.
1. Let the shark rest
The process begins with a freshly caught shark. It is stored for about two days, away from sun and dust. During this time, the liver settles and becomes ready for extraction.
2. Extract and prepare the liver
The shark is cut open and the liver is removed, cleaned, and stripped of its bitter parts. This is the core ingredient—the source of the deep, rich black that Masirah kohl is known for.
3. Melt it into oil
The liver is then cooked over fire. As it heats, it slowly releases oil, which is carefully collected and filtered to remove impurities.
4. Burn to create the kohl
This is where it gets fascinating. The oil is burned with cotton inside a container, covered with a shell. As it burns, smoke gathers and leaves behind a fine black residue—this is the kohl itself.
5. Purify and shape
The kohl is then mixed with water to separate out impurities. The pure kohl rises to the top. It can be dried into a powder or mixed with ghee and shaped into small balls, ready to be used.
A small note:
While the Masirah method uses shark’s liver oil (it’s highly unlikely you will have this!), you can recreate a similar process at home by dipping the cotton in olive oil instead. As it burns, it produces the same fine black soot that forms kohl.
Make sure everything is clean and safe before using anything near your eyes.
A few fun facts:
Distillation changed everything. Rose water as we know it today became possible thanks to advances in distillation, developed and refined in the medieval Islamic world. This allowed people to extract the delicate essence of roses into water—creating something light, pure, and perfect for both beauty and daily use.
It’s one of the oldest “toners” (without the label). Before the word “toner” existed, people were already using rose water to gently cleanse and refresh their skin. It’s a reminder that some of the simplest beauty practices have been around for centuries—no branding required.
The following video from the ‘Dream Team Travels’ Youtube Channel gives a really good idea how Rose Oil and Rose Water are made traditionally in Jabel Akhdar in Oman.
1. Start with good roses
Pick fresh roses from your garden if you can. Late morning is a good time, when they’re open and fragrant but not past their best. Aim for blooms that are about halfway open—not tight buds, not tired flowers. You can use dried roses, but fresh ones will give you a better result.
2. Let the petals breathe (and the insects leave!)
Find a shady, sheltered spot outside and spread the petals out on a clean cloth. Leave them for 30 minutes to an hour. This gives any tiny insects time to crawl away—something you’ll be glad you did.
3. Set up your pot (this is the important part)
Place a heavy saucepan on the stove.
4. Add the petals and water
Scatter the rose petals around the bowls, filling the pot about halfway up the sides.
Pour in cold water until the petals are just submerged.
5. Flip the lid and start heating
Place the lid on the pot upside down. This helps the steam condense and drip into your bowl.
Bring the water to a gentle simmer—not a hard boil.
6. Encourage the condensation
As the pot heats, you’ll see droplets forming on the lid.
You can place ice on top of the lid to speed this up. As the ice melts, spoon off the water and replace it with fresh ice.
Let this process continue for about 20–30 minutes.
7. Let it cool, then collect your rose water
Turn off the heat and allow everything to cool.
Carefully remove the small bowl inside—it now contains your rose water.
Pour it into a clean bottle.
It never needed a rebrand. While modern skincare keeps reinventing itself every five minutes, ghassoul has stayed exactly the same. Mix it with water, apply it, rinse it off. That’s it. No “advanced formula,” no 12-step routine—just something that worked then and still works now.
What is the ritual?
A mineral clay mask that deeply cleanses the skin while keeping it soft.
What are the benefits?
What you need:
How to do it (step-by-step):
Optional (but lovely):
Add a few drops of argan oil after rinsing to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
This is a common pre-wedding ritual in Oman, especially in rural areas. The idea is to smell nice and feel soft.
Why it’s powerful: Omani women traditionally use natural ingredients like rose petals and milk to soften and perfume the skin — especially before weddings or special events.
Modern twist: Add powdered milk, dried rose petals, and a few drops of rosewater to a warm bath for a luxurious DIY soak.
Accessible items: Powdered milk, dried rose petals (or tea), rosewater
How to use it at home: Add everything to the bath, soak for 20 minutes, and rinse with clean water.
Why it works: Lactic acid in milk gently exfoliates the skin while rose soothes and leaves a lasting scent.
Most people associate henna with hair dye or wedding designs, but it’s also a deep conditioner when used the right way.
Why it’s powerful: Henna has deep roots in Omani beauty — not just for dyeing, but for nourishing the scalp and strengthening hair.
Modern twist: Mix henna with hibiscus powder and yoghurt for a deep-conditioning gloss.
How to use it at home: Mix into a paste, apply to clean hair, leave for 30–60 minutes, and rinse well.
You’ll often find these ingredients sold side-by-side in traditional markets — used for everything from face masks to scrubs.
Why it’s powerful: Clay (especially rhassoul or Multani mitti) and turmeric are traditional ingredients used to cleanse and brighten the face.
Modern twist: Blend with rosewater and honey for a glowy face mask.
Accessible item: Clay powder + turmeric + rosewater/honey
How to use it at home: Mix into a thick paste, apply to clean skin, leave for 10–15 minutes, and rinse.
Myrrh is often overshadowed by frankincense, but in Oman, both are used — sometimes blended together in homemade oils.
Why it’s powerful: Myrrh (like frankincense) is native to Oman and often used in perfumery and skin healing.
Modern twist: Add a drop to face oil or night cream for anti-aging benefits.
Accessible item: Myrrh essential oil (blended or diluted in carrier oil)
How to use it at home: Add one drop to your usual night oil or moisturiser and apply to the face before bed.
This is one of those things most women here just know how to do — it’s passed down casually, like how to brew tea.
Why it’s powerful: Sugaring (halawa) is an ancient Arabic method of hair removal using boiled sugar, lemon, and water.
Modern twist: Gentle on the skin and can be made at home.
Accessible item: Sugar + lemon + water (easy DIY recipe)
How to use it at home: Heat equal parts sugar and lemon juice with a little water until thick and golden. Let it cool slightly, roll into a ball, and use to remove hair like wax.
Arabic beauty rituals are simple, natural, and still effective. You don’t need expensive products — just ingredients like rosewater, clay, or frankincense, and a few minutes. These timeless treatments are easy to try at home and still hold their place in modern skincare.
Pick one to try this week — and if you do, I’d love to hear how it went.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the traditions and ingredients behind these beauty practices, here are some additional resources:
7 Natural Beauty Secrets from the Middle East and North Africa
Explore time-tested beauty practices from the region, including the use of argan oil, frankincense, and Dead Sea mud.
Uncovering Middle Eastern Beauty Secrets
A look into the holistic approach of Middle Eastern skincare, emphasizing natural ingredients and minimal processing.
Medieval Arab Women’s Beauty Rituals and Ornaments
An in-depth exploration of beauty practices among medieval Arab women, highlighting the cultural significance of cosmetics like kohl.
Arab Beauty Secrets: Timeless Rituals for Glowing Skin and Healthy Hair
A visual guide to traditional beauty rituals, offering practical tips and demonstrations.
Ancient Beauty Secrets That Are Transforming Modern Skincare
Discover how ancient beauty practices are influencing today’s skincare trends, with a focus on natural ingredients.
HI, I’M CHRISTINE
I’ve been living in and exploring Oman for the past five years. I love coffee (probably too much!), dancing and watercolour painting. My passion? Helping others explore Oman and the Middle East beyond the stereotypes.
Hi, I’m Christine. I’ve lived in Oman for over four years and spent that time travelling across the country - from desert camps to remote mountain villages. Joussour to Oman is where I share practical guides and honest tips for experiencing Omani culture, nature, and daily life. This list is based entirely on places I’ve visited myself - often more than once.
