African Black Soap
Benefits Of African Black Soap
You might have read the title of this article and be wondering: what is black soap? How does it work? What is black soap used for and how is it made?
Traditionally handcrafted by women in West Africa with organic, vegan, locally sourced ingredients, black soap was uniquely suited for their complexions. Although the exact origin of black soap hasn’t been pinpointed, it’s been seen among the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria and Ghanians for centuries. Since then, the benefits of African black soap have been widely recognized around the world by people of all skin types.
We’re breaking it all down in this article and giving you the full scoop on African black soap and why you should use it!
What Is African Black Soap?
The first thing you’ve likely noticed is that the soap itself isn’t actually black; the dark color can vary between bars. Black soap is named for the ingredients used. It’s an all-natural cleanser made from plants originally from West Africa, in countries like Ghana. An African black soap recipe includes palm leaves, cocoa pods, and the bark from shea and plantain trees. Some recipes include palm oil or honey to make it especially gentle on skin and extra moisturizing. Together, they form a soothing cleanser to help your skin breathe. Soielle handcrafts their African black soap products to reveal your inner beauty and let you live in your best skin.
If you’re wondering how to make African black soap, wonder no longer! Everyone has their own special recipe, and Soielle is no different. However, generally, black soap is made by using the ashes of various plants, often incorporating shea or coconut oil for moisture. Tree leaves or bark are sun-dried and added to the oils before the soap is allowed to set for a number of weeks. The color of the soap is a reflection of the ingredients; a lighter soap uses more cocoa pods and a darker soap uses more plantain skins.
Raw black soap is dark in color, soft, and somewhat crumbly, a little different from your average bar of soap. Its oatmeal-like texture makes for an amazing exfoliant; just make sure to rub it gently onto your skin so you don’t over-abrade your sensitive skin. Why is African black soap so different from conventional soap? Because it doesn’t contain lye, a key ingredient for most types of soap. Instead, the ash of plantain skins or cocoa pods is used to produce the same effect of solidifying the soap and giving it the same cleansing qualities.
What Is Black Soap Good For?
The benefits of African black soap cannot be overstated. It works hard on acne, but gently enough to reduce the discomforts associated with psoriasis and eczema. African black soap ingredients are carefully measured to help relieve facial and body scarring from acne and reduce skin irritations. You can use black soap for your face, body, and hair. African black soap body wash is just as safe and effective for people with dry, ashy skin as it is for those with oily skin.
For many people who are sensitive to perfumes, dyes, or other traditional additives in common soaps, African black soap is often a great alternative. No need to worry about heavy scents or artificial ingredients! The organic African black soap is naturally free of any fragrance and has been said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, acne, razor burn, and the impact of skin conditions like eczema. One reason it’s so effective is that the natural ingredients in black soap are anti-inflammatory. The sulfur from the ashes used is a powerful killer of bacteria and fungi on the surface of the skin and the other ingredients soothe the layer of skin underneath. Some people note a natural, earthy scent in their black soap, but it is subtle.
Organic African black soap can be used just like ordinary soap, but the benefits far outweigh those of the average bar of soap. It can be used as shampoo, body wash, or facial wash. A black soap bar is gentle on skin, but it can still help you remove your makeup at the end of a long day and cleanse your face before you get some quality beauty sleep. Just be sure not to get any in your eyes, and don’t use it to remove eye makeup.
However, natural African black soap is not just for your face! It washes off easily and is highly moisturizing without overpowering naturally oily skin. It doesn’t leave a residue behind after washing and can sooth skin rashes. It also works as a fantastic exfoliant and refreshes skin by removing dead skin cells.
It even works wonders on your hair! There’s also black soap shampoo. When used in your normal beauty routine, black soap shampoo can reduce dandruff by exfoliating your scalp and the anti-bacterial properties help kill the yeast that causes dandruff in the first place. All without drying your hair out! The natural oils lock in moisture in your hair and scalp without weighing you down with excess product.
How To Use African Black Soap
A little goes a long way! Use a small amount of either liquid or soap bar and work it into a lather in your hands. You’ll find that even a tiny amount gives you a large, rich lather. Then, rub the lather onto your damp skin or hair for a proper cleansing. If you’ve used black soap shampoo, follow it with your normal hair care routine, or rinse with warm water. African black soap dissolves more quickly than normal bars of soap so you don’t need to worry about spending longer on your daily routine.
Also, because you’re using such a tiny amount for each cleansing, your black soap bar or liquid will last much longer than conventional soap or shampoo where you need to use more to get clean.
When storing your bar of black soap, keep it in a Ziploc pouch or other container that seals it from moisture. Simply keeping it in a dry place is also advisable since the texture is malleable and easily absorbs water. You don’t want your black soap to dissolve before you have a chance to make good use of it!
African black soap side effects are few and far between, but, like any product, some people may be allergic to black soap. If you notice any kind of rash or hives, stop using African black soap and talk to your doctor about the possible allergy.
Additionally, if you find that the abrasive texture is too rough for your skin, try only incorporating your black soap into your cleansing routine every few days. As your skin adjusts, you can increase your usage. If you are applying the bar directly to your skin, use delicate circular motions to avoid any stinging or burning from the roughened soap. It is recommended to use the lather instead of the bar, but the bar does remove dead skin cells with the lightest touches.
Is African Black Soap Good For Acne?
It definitely is! Tired of endlessly searching for the right product to help you get to clear skin? Well, look no further than real African black soap. Because it washes off cleanly without leaving anything behind, you don’t have to worry about oily build-up, even while it moisturizes. Using black soap for acne is a great choice, especially for people with naturally sensitive skin.
Some acne pads and cleansers work by removing natural oils from your skin. Even without the acne, your skin is dry and flaky underneath. Who wants that? Instead, black soap gets rid of bacteria and replenishes the moisture, leaving you with soft, clear skin.
How Long Does It Take For Black Soap To Clear Skin?
Natural African black soap is made from organic ash which carefully exfoliates your skin and clears your pores without damaging your skin underneath. Some people say it can reduce the appearance of scarring from acne. It often takes a few weeks to fully detoxify your skin, so be patient. As the black soap works its magic, you may see continued breakouts for a week or two while all of the toxins work their way out. The results will certainly speak for themselves.
Where Can I Buy African Black Soap?
You can find it right here on Soielle! We carry the best African black soap bars, black soap shampoo, and body wash. Whether you’re looking for liquid black soap or bars, we have it all right here in our shop. Give it a try and let us know what you think! How does it change your skincare routine? Get you all natural black soap now!
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/african-black-soap-benefits#use
https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-safely-use-african-black-soap-2442530