In the west, where the sun sets, there is the garden of the Hesperides. A sacred garden, a gift from Zeus to Era for their wedding. The myth tells that guarding the garden were the Hesperides, three nymphs, who had to protect a very special tree, which, instead of fruits, had golden apples. But the nymphs could do nothing against the cunning of Hercules, who, in the eleventh of his labors, had to steal three gold apples from that garden. Hercules proposed to Atlas, the titan that, not far from the garden of the Hesperides, supported the celestial vault, to replace him in the task of keeping the sky on his shoulders, in exchange Atlas had to get the three golden apples. So it happened, but Atlas, on his return, wanted to continue to be free and to leave Hercules to support the vault. Hercules, with a trick, asked Atlas to help him arrange the sky better on his shoulders. As soon as the titan lifted the sky from the shoulders of Hercules, Hercules quickly grabbed the gold apples and ran away. Between myth and reality, the garden of the Hesperides has been located in Morocco since ancient times. And we like to imagine this garden as a place where time is suspended, with blades of light that make their way through the vegetation, beats of colorful butterfly wings, fountains that spurt fresh surrounded by palm trees, ponds in which agaves are mirrored, zucchini and zucchini flowers that intertwine with hibiscus and roses. And, since we are in Morocco, the argan tree cannot miss, with its gnarled trunk and its wide and fresh crown. If we close our eyes we can see, as evening falls and the sun takes refuge in this magical garden to rest, the sunset with red, pink and orange hues that take possession of the garden. And the nymphs dance around the large argan tree. Here we want to recreate this fascinating, enveloping and relaxing atmosphere with a cosmetic treatment that we can all prepare at home, for a pampering at sunset.
The beauty ritual of the Hesperides
Argan oil is also called Moroccan gold, thanks to its golden color but also for its anti-aging properties. Argan is the basis of the beauty treatment that we see today, inspired by the garden of the Hesperides, by sunset, by the plants of Morocco and its rituals. The cuddle we are going to see consists of several steps and therefore should be performed in the evening, when you have more time, and is dedicated to the skin of the face, to give it brightness, to fight wrinkles but also irritation and acne. Let's start, we’lI see step by step how you can dedicate this cuddle to you.
Hesperides ritual, facial cleansing
First of all clean your face with a vegetable soap, Moroccan black soap is excellent, but Aleppo or Marseille soap is also fine. Then, heat a saucepan with water. When the water reaches the boiling, remove it from the heat and wait a few seconds. Then, add rose petals that grow in the garden or on the balcony and chamomile flowers. Close your eyes and expose your face to the steam. This treatment is very useful to improve the function of the skin barrier and the degree of hydration of the skin (Kowatzki et al, Dermatology, 2008).
Hesperides ritual, the mask
In a small bowl mix two tablespoons of ventilated green clay and a little water, the quantity sufficient to obtain a paste. You can add a few drops of neroli essential oil, if you have it at home, and apply it on the face. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse. The clay mask helps absorb toxins and bacteria and stimulates microcirculation for a luminous skin (Williams et al, Int Geov Rev, 2011).
Hesperides ritual, rose water and argan oil
Spray some rose water, anti-aging and relaxing (Boskabady et al, Iran J Basic Med Sci., 2011), and finally complete with a few drops of argan oil, to be massaged on the face until absorbed. Argan oil fights the signs of aging, thus showing useful against dark spots and wrinkles, the oil is anti-inflammatory, makes the skin elastic and repairs the skin barrier (Boucetta et al, Clin Interv Aging, 2015 - Lin et al, Int J Mol Sci , 2018).