African black soap is something you need to incorporate into your routine immediately
It's a common misconception that good skin care has to cost the stars and the moon. However, one of the best skin products in the world is available in Nigeria for less than N300.
The Western beauty world has been shaken by the rather late arrival of natural African black soap. YouTuber's and beauty gurus have only just realised the truly restorative powers of this product and many have incorporated it into their daily skin care routines.
Many of us grew up using black soap's like Dudu Osun and not really understanding the positive effects it had on our skin but it's time to give it another try.
For hundreds of years, women of West Africa made and used a vegetable-based soap to cleanse skin and hair.
The soap was made with secret recipes passed down from generation to generation, there are several formulations of African black soap on the market today that may add in oats, honey, or aloe.
But the core ingredients of traditionally made African black soap include native plants like plantain skins, cocoa pods, shea tree bark, or palm tree leaves. Once plant matter is collected, it is first sun dried and then roasted at a consistent temperature until it turns into ash.
The ash is then added to water and various fats like palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and palm kernel oil. This mixture is then heated and hand-stirred for a least 24 hours until it begins to solidify before it’s scooped out and left to cure for two weeks.
Here's all the amazing ways that black soap can help your skin.
Be mindful that black soap contains high levels of glycerin so if you have a glycerin allergy, it may have adverse effects. If you notice that black soap is irritating more than helping, discontinue use immediately. All skin types are different and not everybody will react well to every product so use carefully.
Improves skin tone
Black soap firms, tones and improves skin texture, for more supple and glowing skin.
Helps with skin discoloration
Black soap helps even out hyper-pigmentation and dark spots
Reduces inflammation
Black soap helps reduce inflammation and skin irritations. It is soothing on dry and irritated skin, relieving dry patches, rashes and red areas.
Helps to heal problem skin
It eases the symptoms of skin conditions like acne. Some users have said that black soap helps lessen, treat and clear acne and helps get rid of problematic blackheads.
Deep cleanser
Black soap has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and is great for deep pore cleansing. It also is effective at removing makeup because of the oils and butters.
It alleviates razor bumps
It is often used by men during shaving because of the high shea butter content which helps to protect the skin.
Great for exfoliation
The ashes in black soap provide exfoliating properties to remove dead skin cells and thereby improve fine lines, soften and rejuvenate rough skin.