Revive and Rejuvenate Unfiltered Skin With Authentic African Black Soap
The health and glow of your skin are dependent on a lot of factors. A good skincare routine, healthy lifestyle choices, and the right products all play a part in keeping your skin looking its best. But as we age, our skin inevitably changes.
Aging skin is more susceptible to dryness, wrinkles, and other blemishes (hello adult acne despite your best efforts.) So how can you turn back time on your skin?
One way is to use African black soap. It's literally a gamechanger for oily and combination skin. It's great for face wash, body wash, and even shampoo.
African black soap is a traditional remedy that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skin conditions. The soap is made from the ashes of plants and trees, which gives it its unique brown color. It also often contains shea butter, which is known for its moisturizing properties.
Raw African black soap can be used to cleanse the face and body, and it is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin. The soap can help to exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, and unclog pores.
Where does African Black soap originate from?
It is believed to have originated in West Africa, where it has been used for centuries to cleanse the skin and hair.
African black soap is traditionally made by women in small batches. It was made by burning plant materials, such as palm leaves or cocoa pods, and then mixing in ashes. Water and oil would be added to the barks over a fire to create a paste.
This paste was then formed into bars and left to cure for several weeks. African black soap is now available commercially, but it is still made in small batches using traditional methods.
In an interview among Nigerian women who create raw African black soap for a living, they mentioned that the creation of this soap is a spiritual process. They emphasized the importance of keeping order and peace during production as this is a tradition they intend to uphold.
What is African Black Soap Made Of?
Today, African Black soap is usually made with a combination of shea butter, coconut oil, and other natural ingredients.
The main ingredients are contrik, or African white wood ashes, and potash, which is made from the bark of coconut trees.
Basically, it's made from plant oils and agro-waste. This includes materials from crops. Some different products used in production include ash from locally harvested plant barks, palm kernel seed, palm kernel seed oil, dried up cassava, cocoa pod ash, plantain skin ash, etc.
Black soap is not a one-size-fits-all. Its ingredients vary greatly depending on the origin of the country. This is largely due to what crops are grown where.
Other ingredients include Shea butter and coco Amido propyl Betaine. These ingredients are combined to create a soap that is both cleansing and moisturizing.
African black soap is perfect for those looking for an all-natural alternative to conventional soaps.
Thanks to its gentle ingredients, African black soap has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people become interested in natural skincare products.
What Skin Conditions does African Black Soap Heal?
African black soap is an all-natural product that has traditionally been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including eczema.
It's typically used as a cleansing agent, but it can also be applied topically to help soothe eczema flare-ups.
When applied to the skin, the soap helps to hydrate and heal dry, cracked skin. It also helps to relieve itchiness and redness associated with eczema. Overall, African black soap can be an effective treatment for eczema sufferers.
African black soap helps get rid of razor bumps and is used to treat acne and other skin ailments ranging in severity.
It can alleviate many skin conditions like ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles through its ability to firm the skin. It can help your skin to appear smoother, and shinier, and can also assist with uneven skin tone.
It also has antifungal properties, making it a great, all-natural and gentle treatment method for dandruff.
Despite this, there is very little research on how African black soap does these things. A group of dermatologists in New York surveyed one hundred patients who were using black soap.
Of the one hundred people, these patients reported using the soap to treat acne, dark spots, razor burns, eczema, and fine lines. 51% were very satisfied and 40% were somewhat satisfied and both groups claimed they intended to continue the use of the product.
How to Use African Black Soap
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to use authentic black soap. Follow these do's and don'ts to get the most out of your soap.
Don't scrub your face directly with the soap. Do make a lather in your hands and apply in circular motions.
Don't use on open wounds. Do use on acne, pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes.
Don't overuse until your face feels squeaky clean. Do use thoroughly and experiment with your skin, as all skin types vary.
Don't use every day. Do use 2-3 times per week.
Don't expose to direct sunlight. Do store in a cool, dry place.
Don't use on infants. Do use on children over the age of 2.
Real African Black Soap Vs. Fake
There are a few things to look for when checking if a soap is real African black soap.
First, the ingredients should be plantain skins, palm kernel oil, and coco butter. Depending on the country of origin, this will vary greatly. I purchase mine from a reputable source in Ghana called NtrGold. I have been using it for around five years now, and nothing compares.
Second, the color should have lots of variations of browns. If it's really black, it's likely NOT African black soap, rather a charcoal soap that's marketed falsely.
Finally, the texture should be gritty - if it's too smooth, that means it's been diluted. When you cut the bar in half, it should be pointy and sharp since it's made with lots of real ash and various particles. If it's smooth to the touch, you got yourself a faker.
With these things in mind, you can be sure that you're getting the real deal when you purchase African black soap.
While it is sometimes called "black soap," African Black soap can range in color from light brown to almost black.
It is also an effective shampoo for those with oily hair. Whether you are looking for a natural alternative to conventional soaps or are simply curious about this intriguing product, African Black soap is worth trying.
Honest Review of Authentic African Black - NtrGold
I found African black soap randomly. With a little research, I thought it'd be great for my combination oily skin. I believed it would curb my random, unwanted breakouts on days I let my face get too oily. Or on nights I was too tired to wash my face and woke up with new pimple friends. It did just that, and I've never looked back.
When I first started using the soap, I couldn't believe how shiny and glowing my face was. I soon learned I was technically over-using it to get that tight, squeaky-clean feel.
Experts say that's the wrong way to use it. But for my skin, and the way African black soap makes it feel, I don't want to be right!
For people with acne and super oily skin, this soap MUST be added to your regimine. And it's cheaper than other face washes I tried that literally weren't working.
Combination skin friends, I see you!
I use African soap a few times per week, and alternate with some other favorite cleansers I have to make sure I'm not stripping my skin of too many natural oils.
NtrGold has been my number one fave African Black soap I've tried.
I love to buy it in bulk and give it as a gift! What's better than the gift of glowing skin?
If you have naturally dry skin, you may want to check with your dermatologist before using. Of course, you should always do a patch test on your arm or something before trying anything new, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Have you ever tried African Black soap before? If you haven't, make sure you get the authentic, real deal. Support indigenous women from Ghana who make the soap the way it's supposed to be made. Shop NtrGold.
Disclaimer: the links in this post are affiliate, meaning if you purchase with my link, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I use myself. Thanks for your support!
Further reading: Is all makeup vegan and cruelty-free? (and why you should care)
