African Black Soap: The Authentic Secret to Glowing Skin
I once complained to a friend about my incessant acne breakout and she asked me the beauty product I use. My response to her question made her ask me if I have tried black soap and other organic products. “Black soap,” I cried. “why would I want to use black soap?” “Because that is the best soap for your black skin and maybe the solution to your problem,” she replied. Her response left me in total shock.
Well, I decided to try black soap then and still use black to date. Interestingly, I am still in shock. Why? African black soap is wonderful and my glowing black skin is a testament. For this reason, I will be sharing the good news with you also. Like, I was curious after the amazing things black soap did to my skin, I bet you are also. Questions such as how are black soap made and what ingredient is it made of is definitely ringing in your head right now.
So, let’s find out together all that you need to know about African black soap.
What is African black soap?
African black soap like the name implies is traditionally made in Africa. Usually, it is made by the tribes’ women of Ghana, West Africa. It is also made traditionally in other parts of Africa including Nigeria but the ingredients vary among these regions. Today, the African black soap is dubbed one of the latest skincare products that work wonders. Of course, you and I know that the black soap is as old as earth (no pun intended) and is not a recent skincare innovation.
The African black soap has popularly been in use in Africa to maintain and preserve their skin. To date, it remains the authentic secret to the African race glowing skin. It is also widely known to treat various skin and hair conditions. More interestingly, the African black soap is made from plant-based ingredients which make it purely organic. And unlike the popular synthetic soaps, black soap offers immense benefits with no side effects.
What ingredients is black soap made of?
Locally, the black soap is majorly made from harvested plants which include plantain, cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and shea tree bark. Isn’t it truly organic? It also contains other organic ingredients such as shea butter, palm oil, and coconut oil.
How is black soap made?
The process of making the African black soap is quite simple yet takes a long while. Surprised? Good things don’t come easy, they take time and so does the black soap. So, back to the making of the black soap, the major ingredients (i.e, cocoa pods, Shea tree back, plantain, and palm tree leaves) are sun-dried and then roasted to ash afterward.
Coconut oil, Shea butter, palm oil, water is then added to the ash to form a new mixture. This new mixture is then cooked and allowed to cure for at least two weeks. Right after these steps, the African black soap is ready for use.
Why you should use it?
There are a million and one reasons you should use the African black soap, however, I will tell you some of the most important reasons and leave you to find out the rest on your own when you begin using the soap. So, let’s briefly find out the seven wonders of the black soap. They include;
⦁ Fights acne
⦁ Scalp treatment
⦁ Reduces hyperpigmentation
⦁ It soothes the skin
⦁ Rich in natural anti-bacterial properties
⦁ Improves skin texture
⦁ Protects the skin against photo-aging
Is it applicable to all skin types?
Is the African black soap applicable for all skin types? A lot of people ask me this question when I recommend black soap to them. Well, I will tell you this, I have an oily face and black soap has been doing wonders in that department. The remainder of my body parts is characterized by normal skin. Lucky me? Oh yes! And black soap has been helping me maintain my skin in the most natural way possible.
So, is your skin oily, normal, dry, or a combination of all these skin types? Black soap will help you maintain it greatly. If your skin is dry, black soap will invite moisture and oil to your skin. If your skin is oily, black soap will help to keep your sebaceous gland working like normal and help prevent acne. And if your skin is a combination kind of skin, black soap is also up to the task.
Best way to use black soap?
Hmm… What’s the best way to use black soap? Well, I usually break my black soap and mix it with water and other beneficial organic products such as turmeric, oats, rose water, honey, vitamin E oil, and as many other organic products I want.
The reason I do this is that when black soap is produced, it is usually hard. If I am to use it that way it will be coarse on my skin. Also, I love to add my favorite skincare products to my black soap to gain additional benefits. So, mixing the black soap with water and other products gives me a thick and smooth paste which makes bathing a routine to look forward to. So, if you are seeking the best way to use black soap, you can use it as I explained.
Also, black soap can be used as a scrub. This means you can leave it on your skin for a while before washing off.
Is it really a ‘black’ soap?
Black soap is really not black as it is usually brownish when it is made. However, there are two reasons I think it is called black soap. The first is, black soap is simply an African skincare innovation and we all know that Africans are regarded as the ‘Black’ race. So, that may be the reason it is called black soap. The second reason is that when black soap is mixed with water until it forms a smooth paste, it turns black. So, what do you think?
You looking forward to using black soap now? You want to begin glowing and rocking your black skin with newfound confidence? I bet you are. To get yours, just visit any local organic African store. You are sure to get it there. And don’t forget to tell us that you agree that the African black soap is the authentic secret to glowing. Cheers!
By Taiwo, Temitope Simbiat
Originally published at https://afrocrewelite.org on September 15, 2020.
