The traditional soap from West Africa is called African black soap. There are many ways in which it can benefit your health, since it is made of natural ingredients.
You can use this soap for more than just cleansing your skin. The antibacterial properties of African black soap can help treat some skin conditions and even slow down some signs of aging.
African Black Soap: What Is It?
In West Africa, African black soap is traditionally made from natural ingredients. Most soap recipes include palm kernel oil, cocoa pod ash, and roast plantain skin ash, but the exact ingredients may differ based on where the soap is made. A variety of ingredients may also be added, such as aloe vera, honey, shea butter, lime, and camwood, a native tree of the central West African region.
Unlike white soap, African black soap contains no lye, which makes it softer and more moisturizing. Moreover, it is unscented, which makes it suitable for use by any skin type.
On the market today, African black soap comes in many varieties. Many of them are highly processed. Choose a soap that is processed as little as possible.
Look for a brown or gray soap with a smooth surface to identify authentic African black soap. If the soap is crumbly around the edges, it is authentic. Make sure that there are no additives you don’t want in your soap by reading the label.
Afro-Black Soap’s Benefits
The antibacterial properties of black soap are well known. Medicated soaps fail to remove the following bacteria as well when using this natural cleanser:
- The E. coli bacteria
- Species of Corynebacterium.
- Acinetobacter baumannii
As a result of these properties, the skin is kept clean and bacteria, dirt, and impurities are removed.
Additionally, African black soap provides the following benefits:
Skin is thoroughly cleansed and makeup is removed. Black soap is not only a facial cleanser, but it also cleans nearly everything.
If you are looking to improve your skin, then African black soap is safe and unscented. If you want to make sure the product does not contain any additives that may irritate your skin, check the label before you buy.
Reduces acne and clears blemishes. Studies have shown black soap can treat acne and reduce its appearance.
A razor bump-removing cream may be helpful. Five percent of participants in a limited survey said the black soap cleared their razor bumps well, while forty percent said they were somewhat satisfied.
African Black Soap: Use and Care
If you have sensitive skin or hair, you can use African black soap. The fact that it has antifungal properties even makes it useful in treating scalp dandruff.
Consider your skin’s sensitivity or dryness before you proceed. Using black soap may cause your skin to feel tight, so be sure to moisturize afterward. For extra moisture, you should buy a black soap containing shea butter.
The first few times you may experience redness or a tingling sensation on your skin. It is best to patch test your skin before applying it on larger areas.
Using African black soap as shampoo is also possible. Dandruff can be treated with this product because it is antifungal. You should lather it on wet hair and then rinse it off as usual.