There’s something transportive about the Turkish approach to self-care. Think steam rising in marbled hammams, the soft clink of tulip tea glasses, the delicate perfume of rosewater lingering on skin and air. In Turkey, wellness isn’t a trend, it’s a lifestyle rooted in centuries of ritual, where tending to the body is seen as sacred.
Here’s how to bring a little of that ancient softness into your modern-day rhythm.
The Turkish Hammam: Cleansing as Ceremony
Forget the quick shower, we’re talking a full-body reset. The Turkish hammam is a centuries-old practice that blends heat, exfoliation, and massage into one deeply purifying experience. Originating during the Ottoman Empire, it was as much about community as it was about cleansing.
The Ritual:
You begin with a steam to soften the skin, followed by a full-body exfoliation using a kese mitt (a coarse silk or goat-hair glove), then a gentle foam massage, and finally, a rinse with bowls of warm water.
At-home version:
Start with a hot shower or bath, as steamy as you can handle. Use a kese to exfoliate in long, sweeping motions. Finish with a slow body massage using a nourishing oil. Wrap up in a fluffy towel and do nothing for ten minutes. That’s part of the ritual too.
Rosewater: The Quiet Power Player
In Turkey’s Isparta region, known as the “Land of Roses,” millions of petals are harvested by hand each spring at dawn, when their fragrance is strongest. Rosewater, or gül suyu, is a key part of the ritual.
Why it’s magic:
Rosewater naturally balances the skin’s pH, has antibacterial properties, and is rich in antioxidants. It’s also been used in Sufi rituals and Ottoman beauty recipes for centuries.
Try this:
Keep a bottle of high quality 100% pure rosewater in your fridge. Use it as a toner after cleansing, mist it midday to refresh tired skin, or soak cotton rounds and rest them over your eyes while you breathe deeply.
Tea as Daily Meditation
Turkish tea, especially strong black çay, is poured in delicate tulip-shaped glasses and offered at nearly every turn, from barbershops to boutique hotel lobbies.
In the east, sage tea (adaçayı) is known for its immune-boosting, mood-lifting benefits. Rosehip, another local staple, is high in vitamin C and a natural anti-inflammatory.
Make it yours:
Choose a moment each day to disconnect and sip slowly. No screens. Just tea and stillness.
Olive Oil: The Liquid Gold of Ritual
In the Aegean regions of Turkey, olive oil isn’t just pantry gold, it’s the original multitasker of beauty. Turkish grandmothers still use it for everything from cracked heels to hair masks.
Use it like this:
Massage it into your scalp, then wrap in a warm towel for 20 minutes before shampooing. Or apply a few drops to damp skin post-shower instead of body lotion.
The Luxury of Slowness
In Turkish culture, there’s a certain poetry in pacing. Mornings are slow and expansive, conversations stretch into the evenings.
Your gentle prompt:
Pick one thing to linger over. It could be your morning coffee, a stretch or a quiet minute to yourself.
Photo Credit: Hammam at IZZA