African Black Soap is a lye-free, all-natural soap that has been used for centuries in Africa. It is a natural treatment for many skin issues. The amazing soap has many medicinal benefits and the best part is that it is completely devoid of chemicals. Many DIY enthusiasts also make African Black soap at home. African Black soap has benefitted many people who have used it for treating their acne and acne scars.
In this guide, we will study African black soap ingredients, the good ones to buy, and everything else you need to know about how to use African black soap for acne treatment.
What are the ingredients in African black soap
African black soap originated in Africa and has quickly become popular in the West. Its ingredients greatly depend on its country of origin. The Yoruba people of South-western Nigeria first made this soap centuries ago and called it ose-dudu which translates to ‘black soap’. The original ose-dudu was typically made using the ash of indigenous plants like cocoa pods, plantain, and dried palm kernels as well as leaves of the camwood tree which is called osun in Nigeria. These ingredients have exfoliating and anti-oxidant properties. Today, commercial manufacturing has changed many ingredients of the traditional Dudu osun with the addition of shea butter, aloe vera, oats, and even bamboo, and charcoal for additional exfoliating, moisturization, and cleansing.
What are the benefits of African black soap
Traditionally made African black soap contains cocoa-pod powder, coconut or palm oils, Shea butter, and raw plantain skin ashes. Today, manufacturers add vitamins A and E to it for enhanced preservation and anti-oxidant benefits. You can use this soap for washing your hair and skin. With the use of good quality African black soap, you will notice that it does not strip your skin of natural oils like other harsh soaps. In fact; within a single use, you will find that this soap makes your skin softer, plumper, and healthier.
Unlike soaps that contain parabens, dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemical preservatives, African black soap is all-natural. The cocoa powder in African black soap nourishes the skin thanks to its antioxidant content. It also acts as a scrub to remove dead skin. With regular use, you will notice fewer acne blemishes. The soap also contains free-radical fighting ingredients that prevent acne and keep your skin healthy and blemish-free. Apart from fighting acne and lightening acne scars, African black soap has the following benefits:
Anti-inflammatory
African black soap contains ashes and plantain skins which fight inflammation and soothe away redness, rashes, and eczema. If you regularly suffer from itchy skin, rashes, eczema, and other skin irritations, you will find that with regular use of African black soap, your skin will be healthier and free from itchiness, redness, and rashes.
Anti-aging
The anti-oxidants in African black soap fight aging by firming up the skin. If your skin has been damaged thanks to hours in the sun, the use of African black soap can heal blemishes, fight wrinkles and fine lines, and also firm up your skin. With regular use, you will notice healthier, softer, and younger-looking skin. African black soap also lightens age spots, freckles, and sunspots caused by the UV rays.
Deep cleans the skin
African black soap has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that are especially beneficial for people who suffer from ringworm, psoriasis, scabies, Candida infections, as well as acne. African black soap is a great remedy for fungal infections or tinea infections. It kills the fungal spores and prevents them from recurring. Use African black soap during bath time all over the body and hair and also for washing the face twice a day, morning and evening. With regular use, ringworm spots and lesions will be eliminated. Your skin will glow with health and you will not suffer from acne, psoriasis, eczema, and tinea infections.
Ideal for shaving
Men and women can use African black soap prior to shaving. Lather up the soap and apply it liberally on the parts you want to shave. The razor blade will glide smoothly and your skin will be softer, suppler, and healthier. Also, the use of African black soap will prevent infections if you happen to nick or cut yourself while shaving. The Shea butter in the soap helps moisturize the skin and prevents unsightly razor burn, bumps, ingrown hair, and other shaving issues.
Controls excess sebum production
The reason why organic African black soap is so beneficial in preventing acne is that it prevents excess sebum production. This soap cleans out pores and fights p.acnes bacteria that cause inflammation of the hair follicles. When you use the soap twice a day to cleanse your face, it will remove makeup, grime, excess oil or dried sebum, and other toxins that lead to acne. At the same time, the soap won’t strip away your skin or cause excess dryness (which exacerbates excess oil production). The shea butter and other ingredients in the soap regulate and balance the sebum production making your skin glow with health.
Reduces post-burn scar tissue
An important benefit of African black soap is that it soothes scars left behind by serious burns. The soap moisturizes, heals, protects, and replenishes lost moisture while speeding up the healing of natural collagen and elastin layers of the skin. With regular use, you will notice, fresh, pink, healthy skin in the burnt areas.
How to use African black soap for acne
Never use African black soap as a regular bar soap. Doing so can abrade your skin. Instead, you must take a small piece of it and make it into a smaller bar. Dissolve this bar in a bit of fresh, filtered water. Next, dip a washcloth or loofah in the liquid soap and work up a lather on the parts you want to clean. Rinse off as usual. Remember to wrap up the remaining soap in plastic or Ziploc bag, else it will dissolve quickly. Follow these instructions and get your acne under control.
- You may shred the African black soap using a grater.
- Add the shredded soap to some filtered distilled water.
- Wait until the soap melts.
- Apply the liquid soap to the skin using a washcloth or loofah
Where to buy the best African black soap
You can buy the best organic African black soap online at popular retailers. Here are some good brands to consider:
Natural Cosmetics African Black Soap
This soap is raw, organic, and all-natural. It is shipped from Ghana. It is great for acne and dry skin. This African black soap cleanses the skin and is also mild enough so as to not strip it of its natural oils.
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Fresh natural scent
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Caused rashes in some people
- The soap could contain glass, stones, and other debris. Always melt the soap into a liquid form prior to use.
Our Earth’s Secret Natural Raw Premium African black soap
A little of this soap goes a long way. Simply make a lather using loofah or a washcloth and apply it on your skin and scalp. Our Earth’s Secret premium African Black Soap is made with unrefined coconut oil, palm oil, Vitamin E, raw plantain ashes, and unrefined Shea butter. Cut it into pieces and refrigerate the unused portions. A single bar can last you up to a year. This soap reduces acne and eczema and is ideal for psoriasis sufferers.
Pros
- Gets rid of dark spots, acne scars, and blemishes
- Top-rated best-selling African black soap on top retail sites.
Cons
- Develops a white fuzzy layer
- Could contain certain impurities, including hair
- Caused rashes, dryness, itching, and other skin issues in some users
SHEA MOISTURE African Black Soap face wash and scrub
Those who dislike using the bar soap can go in for this face wash and scrub.
Pros
- All-natural, organic ingredients
- Gently exfoliates the skin to remove toxins, oils, makeup, and reduce acne
Cons
- Extremely watered down, runny product
- Has a harsh fragrance
- Leaves skin dry for some people
Alaffia African Black Soap Shampoo, Body Wash, and Shaving Soap
Imagine a great all-in-one product having hand-wash, shampoo, shaving soap, cleanser, and face-wash!
Pros
- The company Alaffia supports local charities to end Poverty; so your purchase helps this mission. They are also committed to fair trade practices
- This is a pure soap without parabens, sulfates, and dyes, and is suitable for gluten-allergy sufferers as well as vegans.
- Highly rated product with more than a thousand positive reviews!
- Has a mild, alluring, scent.
- Is suitable for sensitive skin.
Cons
- Product is watery and does not lather
- Tends to make dry skin worse as reported by some users.
Conclusion – Truth about African black soap
African Black Soap has helped many acne sufferers regain a clear complexion. However, it is important that you buy the best, organic African black soap as there are many fake products of a similar kind being sold out there. Always try a bit of the soap on a small area of the skin to ensure that you are not allergic to it. We hope that the above African black soap reviews help you make an informed choice.