Zakia's Morocco 8 oz Moroccan Black Soap with Argan Oil and Kessa Exfoliating Glove

Updated October 2021 (See *** below)After experiencing a body scrub for the firsttime at a local korean spa and seeing the skin literally wash away to create the softest, smoothest version of myself I knew this was the beginning of a new addiction. It's so much better to have someone do it for you but costly as well. Then a dear friend of mine from Morocco let me know that this is something that is a custom in her country and they do it on each other. The key is the black soap to first loosen and exfoliate the dead skin, the mit then follows to roll it off and away. You wash with the soap, rinse, then start rubbing with the mit.My thoughts on the packaging were that the box arrived not in tact so it might not be great to send directly to someone as a gift if presentation matters. The loofah body washer was really unnecessary and with the gel like consistency of the black soap it would just get stuck in the fibers and waste the soap. For those that do prefer to use something like it most people already have a favorite hanging in their shower anyway. This is a small, travel size one.After one use I went ahead and ended up buying a second mit as only being able to use one arm at a time and constantly pulling it off and putting it on was really wearing down my stamina. It's so much easier with two. One of them does have a whole that has been slowly growing. I don't know if it came with the hole (in the seam) or if it was there and just grew over a few uses. I don't think it's recommended but I do use this kit on my face and it works well. ***** I've now had these over 5 years. The mit with the small hole is now a 3 inch hole with frayed seam but still works fine. It hasn't changed anything during use. Both mits, the elastic wristband has stretched over time. It's now a bit loose and wavy. Overall I think they have st least another 2 years left in them. Occassionally I clean yhem by soaking them in a bowl of diluted white vinegar. They travel well. I bring plastic zipper bags to store them in during travels.****I have very sensitive skin (you could write on it and watch it turn red) that is also prone to dryness and break outs. Since using the soap and scrubber on my face I get constant compliments about how I look like I'm glowing and the breakouts that I was getting are gone, just clear and lovely skin. Also, with the removal of the top layer some of my finer lines disappeared and my skincare products are able to be more effective and used even more sparingly.I feel that the results I've experienced have outweighed the minor inconveniences so I give a five.

First thing's first, I NEVER review products. But this is some voodoo magic right here. I am an extra white lady in the throes of Midwestern winter. There are bumps and flakes and dull dryness on skin I didn't even know it was legal to touch. Dire straits. Not cute.I don't know who Zakia is but I would kiss him or her firmly on those soft Moroccan lips for as long as it took to fully express my admiration and gratitude for this exfoliative masterpiece. After one shower with my new lover Zakia, I thought I was molting. Weird, but I persevered for the sake of wearing black and health, probably. Now four showers in, I am re-born. A pasty but glowing Phoenix rising from the snow. Victorious! I am new! I am the Venus de Milo! I am Beyoncé! I am Jackie Kennedy! I am Xena! I roam the streets passively daring strangers to brush up against my oddly exposed skin. My two year old loses 'Best Skin in the House" now (he was always so smug about it anyways). I loiter at the Moroccan restaurant wearing the glove and they're pretty close to recognizing their long lost sister and inviting me back to the hammam.Now, as the current authority on exfoliation let me give you some pointers. If you shower every day like a nutjob maybe chill out on the Zakia vibe. She's a harsh lover, but fair. 2 times a week is golden. Hang out in the hot shower, wash your hair, say goodbye to that disgusting, graying sac of skin you've been dragging around because you shall never meet again. Scoop a little of whatever black soap is (jesusjelly) and really work it between your hands to get a good lather. I imagine this is what boys do in the shower. You're supposed to leave it on for several minutes but I can't wait that long and water is expensive. Then, The Glove. This little glove knows more about me than my husband and I don't mind one bit. I'm talkin ev-ry-where if you get my drift (butt). Rinse off the aforementioned grotesque bits and embark on your new, clearer path. Marvel in the beauty that is the purest form of you. Inhale. Notice the air- it's sweeter. Colors brighter. Is that the call of a whippoorwill in the distance? Possibilities unfold before your eyes. Humans and animals alike cannot help but yield to your magnetism. Welcome, you say knowingly, let me show you the way.I bow to you, Zakia- you beautiful sorcerer.