For a hammam ritual at home you essentially need three things: a kese (exfoliating mitt) to rub off dead skin flakes, a mild natural soap and a bag to carry and store everything dry. Many people also use the rusur stone (ruşur taşı) for a gentle exfoliation. This guide explains the differences between kese types, shows step by step how the scrub works and how often it makes sense, and how to care for your mitt, stone and straw bag.
Key facts at a glance
- Kese = traditional Turkish exfoliating mitt (German: Peelinghandschuh). It is used on wet, softened skin without soap.
- Grades: silk and natural fibres are gentle (face, sensitive skin), the standard kese is medium, thick or black kese are strong.
- Rusur stone (ruşur taşı) = traditional peeling stone, moistened and used like a gentle exfoliating paste.
- Frequency: about once a week; sensitive skin every two to four weeks.
- Straw bag: airy and light, ideal for hammam, sauna, beach and market.
Contents: What is a kese? · Kese types · Hammam ritual at home · Rusur stone · Comparison · Straw bag · Care & hygiene · FAQ
What is a kese?
A kese is a rough mitt made of woven fibres that has been used in the Turkish hammam for centuries. After the skin has warmed up in the steam room, the attendant (tellak) uses it to rub off the top layer of dead skin cells. The small grey "rolls" that appear are loosened skin flakes. In German the kese is also called Hamam-Handschuh, Peelinghandschuh or Kessa-Handschuh.
Which kese types are there?
| Kese type | Grade | Suitable for | Anadoa product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural / silk kese | gentle | Face, sensitive skin, beginners | Natural Hamam Kesesi |
| Kelebek (standard) | medium | Body, regular use | Kese exfoliating mitt standard |
| Kese with elastic band | medium | A secure fit at the wrist | Develi hammam mitt |
| Large exfoliating bag | medium to strong | Large body areas | Hammam exfoliating bag |
| Back kese (strap) | medium | Reaching your back without help | Hammam back scrubber |
Hammam ritual at home: step by step
- Warm up (10–15 minutes): Take a warm shower or bath so the skin softens. Steam in the bathroom helps.
- Scrub without soap: Wet the kese, keep your hand flat and work with long, firm strokes from the feet towards the heart. Only a few passes per area.
- Rinse: Rinse off the loosened skin flakes with warm water.
- Wash: Now use a mild natural soap, for example a loofah soap or a pH-neutral soap (see pH-neutral natural soaps).
- Optional rusur or mask: Use the rusur stone or a clay mask on the face.
- Moisturise: Apply a mild oil or lotion; for carrier oils see What is a carrier oil?
Important: Do not use on irritated, sunburnt or broken skin or during acute skin conditions. Redness is a sign that you scrubbed too hard.
Rusur stone (ruşur taşı): what is it and how is it used?
The rusur stone is a small, pressed peeling stone from the Oriental bathing tradition that traditionally comes from Iran. When moistened it forms a fine, creamy paste that is rubbed gently over the skin as a mild exfoliant.
How it works
- Dip a stone briefly in warm water or add a few drops of water.
- Apply the paste to damp skin with your fingertips or a silk kese in circular movements.
- Massage gently for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly.
A practical start is the rusur stone and silk peeling mitt set; single stones come in the original rusur stone 6-pack. Do a patch test on your forearm before first use.
Kese, rusur, loofah or horsehair brush: which suits what?
| Tool | Intensity | How to use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kese | medium to strong | on wet skin, without soap | weekly body exfoliation |
| Rusur stone | gentle | moistened as a paste | face, décolleté |
| Loofah soap | gentle to medium | during daily washing | daily care |
| Horsehair brush | medium | dry, before showering | dry brushing, massage |
More on the alternatives: What is a loofah soap? and What is a horsehair brush good for?
The straw bag: the perfect companion for hammam, sauna and beach
In the hammam everything stays damp. A woven straw or basket bag lets air reach your mitt, soap and towel, is light and dries quickly. Outside the bath it doubles as a stylish shopping, market or beach bag.
- Material: natural weaves such as water hyacinth are sturdy and breathable.
- Size: a large bag for towel and peştemal, a small one for kese, soap and rusur.
- Care: wipe with a damp cloth, air-dry and do not store in direct sun.
Our straw bag set large and small and the women's straw bag are hand-woven.
Care and hygiene for kese and accessories
- After each use wash the kese with soap, rinse well and hang it up to air-dry.
- Regularly machine-wash at 40–60 °C if the material allows.
- Use personally: do not share a kese.
- Replace it when the fibres become smooth, usually after a few months.
- Store rusur stones dry in a closed container.
For Turkish names of other care and herbal products, see our Turkish–German herb dictionary.
Frequently asked questions about kese, rusur and straw bags
What is a kese?
A kese is a traditional Turkish exfoliating mitt used in the hammam to rub dead skin flakes off softened, wet skin.
How often should you do a kese scrub?
About once a week is enough for most skin types; for sensitive skin every two to four weeks.
Do you use a kese with or without soap?
Without soap. The skin is warmed and scrubbed wet; washing with a mild soap comes afterwards.
What is a rusur stone (ruşur taşı)?
A small, pressed peeling stone from the Oriental bathing tradition that is moistened and used as a gentle exfoliating paste for face and body.
Which bag is suitable for the hammam?
An airy, woven straw bag made of natural fibres, in which towel, kese and soap can dry.
How do you clean a kese?
Wash it with soap after each use, rinse well and hang it up to dry; wash it regularly and replace it after a few months.
Note: If you have a skin condition, open wounds or very sensitive skin, seek medical advice before exfoliating. Editorial team: Anadoa Naturhaus.
