Ever felt like getting in touch with nature,enveloping your senses in sweet Mother Earth .Being in a place with green leaves,sipping on coconut water and hearing the birds chirp? Picture that ?That’s how I feel about African black soap …Period!
Black soap is made from locally harvested plants such as plantain ,palm tree leaves ,Shea tree back,palm kernel and cocoa pods .These ingredients are dried up and roasted ,giving it a black and coarse look.
Everyone is raving about it,skincare companies are cashing in on the high demand .And sadly,it is being bastardized
What Does African Black Soap Do To The Skin?
I recall when I was a little girl .I developed rashes on my legs and my dad used African black soap to wash my legs .oh my did it hurt .But a week later,my rashes were dried up.
Also,I used strictly black soap and coconut oil all through my pregnancy and my skin was literally perfect .
That’s what good African black soap does to the skin.
The uses of African black soap are extensive but i’ll Make a list
- Black soap helps cure skin conditions from acne,pimples,discolorations ,black spots ,Eczema, acne marks ,tones skin.
- It makes the skin smooth and supple .Your skin would generally feel and look better.
- Most importantly,it makes your skin glow .
Before you rush to buy one,hold on as there are different types out there and you don’t want to be getting dyed Soap camouflaged as black soap.(side eye)
Types of Black Soaps
The original black soap which I used as a kid was not in a bar form .It was coarse and crushed .It is usually bought at the local market in tin cups .And if placed on a rash,you would actually feel it sting .
Call it local microdermabrasion.
However ,with time,black soap has metamorphosed into different forms ,bars,liquids ,powder and even transparent .
While their forms do not reduce the efficacy ,there are some which are more effective than others .
The most popular forms are the bar and liquid black soaps .The bars come in different shapes and sizes .Their textures also varies depending on the manufacturer .While some are coarse,others are very smooth and have no coarseness .
Some are also darker than others ,while this doesn’t reduce the efficacy,the darker the better.
Personally ,I prefer the coarse black soap .I mean,if I can’t have the real thing from mother earth’s cooking pot,I might as well get something close to that .
Black soap is organic so I love to have that organic feel .
Where to buy black soap
If you are in Africa ,chances are,there is a local seller in your local market place .Just ask around .In Nigeria ,you can get it from the Yoruba or Hausa traditional herb sellers .These women who sell herbal roots and sticks .They usually have the real deal in the raw unprocessed form .
I usually pour it in a jar and add some water to form a paste and use it as a body wash .
If you live abroad ,meaning in the USA or Europe ,you have to be careful before buying black soap online .I prefer buying them from the African stores where they sell African food .They usually import from Africa .
If you are too tired to take a trip to the African store ,you can order online at Amazon .
The one at the top of this post is the one I recommend and it is Ghanaian black soap .Bought it at an African store in Baltimore .
Then,if you love nice packaged black soaps ,or liquid ,treated and processed and still very effective ,go for the Dudu Osun African Black Soap
Pros and Cons
- Pros
Black soap would make your skin look and feel healthier ,beautiful,spot free .
- Cons
Get prepared to wash your bath tub daily or twice a week .
It leaves your tub in a mess.
That’s a little price to pay for clear skin right ?
Is it good for Sensitive or dry skin ?
Now,we have the issue of sensitivity.
Then you can dilute it your black soap before use and make sure you properly moisturize after using.
You can also limit the use to three times a week
Do not leave on your face for more than one minute ,your body can handle it a little longer,not your face.
Does Black Soap lighten the skin?
Black soap has been known to fade skin discolourations and making spots lighter .So yes,black soap would lighten off those marks .But there is a reason why it is loved by both light skinned and dark skinned men and women ,it brings out the true skin color .
So,if you have been hiding clear beautiful skin underneath grime ,dirt and bad skin care routines ,black soap would clear those imperfections to reveal your true skin .
It wouldn’t bleach you .
What are you waiting for ? Go and get your black soap today ..
Have you used black soap ?Whats your take and which worked for you ?
