Hygiene routine: Water and soap.

THE CULTURE OF WATER

We are the heirs of two cultures that have revered water as a precious element for life: Roman civilization on one hand and Arab-Andalusian civilization on the other. Both were distinguished by their hydraulic engineering and their emphasis on personal hygiene and bathing, which had not only a cosmetic but also a spiritual dimension—purifying oneself to maintain physical health and to draw closer to the divine.

Today we have taken the cult of the body and standardized beauty to the extreme; we have become obsessed with sterility and health, yet we have lost the ritual dimension and also the fundamental purpose of hygiene, which is none other than to feel good and make others feel good.

In the age of hand sanitizer, high-pressure showers, and swimming pools everywhere, the simple act of using clear water and artisanal soap brings us back to a primal truth and a renewed connection with our own bodies; that is why this simple ritual is the foundation of mindful self-care.

THE SIMPLEST AND MOST SUSTAINABLE WAY TO MAINTAIN GOOD HYGIENE

For centuries, soap made simply from a fatty base and an alkaline base has been the mainstay of hygiene and sanitation, along with clean water. Doctors still recommend washing wounds with soap and water before applying any other antiseptic. The sophistication of cosmetics may offer many other options for cleansing the skin—micellar waters, lotions, fluids, gels, and a long list of others—but every skin type, regardless of its condition, benefits from care with fresh water and a good artisanal soap rich in nutrients and with a skin-friendly pH.

With this method, which may seem primitive to us, not only are lipophilic and hydrophilic impurities removed, but the epidermis’s lipid barrier is also preserved, circulation is stimulated, and it can even be a moment of pleasure—you just have to do it with a little care.

CLEANSING WITH SOAP AND WATER STEP BY STEP

In the shower: Simply wet your entire body using lukewarm water—not too hot—and a good soap with as many natural ingredients as possible and a rich, nourishing base, such as high-quality vegetable oils like olive, almond, or jojoba, among others. Gently glide the bar of soap over your entire body, massaging softly as you feel the movement of your hands and the soap’s delicate scent—it’s a true pleasure. Rinse with lukewarm water, and above all, remember that water is a precious resource; a good soap rinses off easily without leaving a trace, and a couple of minutes in the shower are enough to leave your skin clean and fresh.

For the face: thoroughly wet your face with warm water, lather the soap bar in your hands, and gently massage your face, avoiding contact with your eyes. Rinse with cool water to tone the skin and stimulate circulation, then pat dry with a towel without rubbing. It’s a healthy, pleasant cleansing routine that costs very little.

The Jabón Hidratante Suavizante de El Jardín de Hammam It is handmade and contains a blend of 7 vegetable oils, with a higher percentage of extra virgin olive oil, to which are added argan oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and castor oil—a rich, nourishing, and moisturizing base that deeply cleanses, respects the skin’s lipid barrier, and adds emollient and moisturizing ingredients. To ensure that its functionality is accompanied by the pleasure of use, this soap is scented with the iconic fragrance of HAMMAM AL-ÁNDALUS, based on red amber and pomegranate flower.

In many parts of Spain, water is scarce; our water culture involves its responsible use and the awareness that it is a precious and vital element.