Enrich and revitalize your skin with our African Black soap. It is a cleanser which helps exfoliate and also, gives your skin a healthier and richer glow. What makes this soap to have such magical results? The ingredients used to make the African Black soap are all-natural so rest assured that no additives are needed. It has also been used for a very long time to help in healing most skin-related diseases.
As the name suggests, the African Black soap, as it is called in most European and American countries, originates from West Africa, particularly Ghana, where the women in that society made and used this soap to cleanse their skin and hair. Locally, the soap is known as alata simena, anago soap, ose dudu and sabulun salo. The secret recipe to make the African Black soap was passed down from generation to generation as it was considered sacred. However, there are several formulations on how to make it. Some have even been improvised and more ingredients have been added.
Ingredients used to make the soap and their benefits
Coconut oil â?? this product helps in cleaning, nourishing and moisturizing your skin and also helps activate collagen production which is vital for your skin.
Plantain peels â?? cooking bananas are rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid, thiamine, folic acid, antioxidants and proteins which help nourish your skin.
Cocoa pods â?? these are the coverings of the cocoa bean which are a good source of antioxidants and have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Shea butter â?? it is rich in fatty acids which help to give a silky smooth skin. It also facilitates the repair of damaged skin and activates generation of collagen.
Palm oil â?? it is produced in the fruit of the palm tree. While in its unrefined state, it is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and fatty acids.
Palm kernel oil â?? unlike the one above, it is derived from the seed of the palm tree. It is a great source of fatty acids.
How is African Black soap made?
First, plant matter is gathered, then it is sun-dried and then it is roasted at a consistent temperature until it becomes ash. This is how it gets its deep and dark color. This ash is then added to water and a mixture of palm oil, coconut oil, Shea butter and any other fats needed.
This mixture is then heated and stirred by hand for at least a day. When it begins to solidify, it is removed and left to â??cureâ?? for about a fortnight. The soaps made traditionally are generally purer as compared to those sold in American or European countries as they may have additional ingredients.
How to use African Black Soap
The soap has a sort of rough texture accompanied by an earthy scent which is pleasant. Being unprocessed, you will have to cut the soap into smaller pieces according to your own liking. As it is raw, it may contain pieces of vegetation which can easily be pulled out to avoid being cut while using it. To use it properly, create lather on your hands before rubbing it on your skin.
