African black soap has been used for centuries in Western Africa. Containing a natural antiseptic and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, black soap also utilizes local natural ingredients that may have otherwise gone to waste. If you're just starting out in soap making or curious about how to create your own African black soap, you'll find this recipe to be incredibly simple with only a few steps to follow.
This is a great introductory recipe for beginners. Although it is a bit of a process, if you are making African black soap yourself then you choose exactly the quality and kind of ingredients that you want to put into it; you can make the batch as big or as small as you want and have total control over the quality.
For a visual step by step demonstration (and to find out if this recipe actually works or not) watch the DIY African black soap video above!
How to Make African Black Soap (NO Toxic Chemicals) - EASY Method
Remember the African black soap article from just a few weeks ago? So many of you guys were interested in the process of making it so, I thought I would share this easy African black soap recipe for all of the do-it-yourselfers out there. I'm not an avid soap maker so, I am going to be using the simplest recipe I've found, which happens to be from wikihow.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Shea butter
- Plantain skins
- Distilled water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shea Butter
For the purpose of this DIY, I will be using about 2 cups of shea butter. According to wikihow, the amount of base oil needed should not exceed half of the capacity of your double broiler.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Step 2: Roast the Plantain Skins
Cut open the plantains, dispose of the insides and place the skins, skin side down, on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe bowl. Again, there is no specific temperature or measurement (thnx wikihow) so we are going to oven roast four plantain skins at 350 degrees until brown.
Step 3: Burn the Plantain Skins
Now we burn the plantain skins, so I guess roasting them for a long time isn't really all that important! Burn the plantain skins in the oven broiler fluctuating between 250 and 500 degrees. An oven-safe bowl with a tight-fitting lid is preferred here due to the likelihood of a fire. In case of a fire turn the stove OFF and cover the bowl with the tight-fitting lid (without oxygen the fire will die). The ashes will be completely black all the way through once they are ready to use, you can crack them open and check the inside to be sure no brown is remaining.
Plantain ash, when combined with water, creates a lye mixture. Lye is an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide, typically used in products like soap or household cleaner for washing and cleansing.
Step 4: Create the Ash Water
Slowly add the ashes to 2 cups of warm distilled water while stirring. You can add more water or ashes to make the consistency as thick or dark as you'd like.
Step 5: Boil the Ash Water Mixture
Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat. Once the ashes have dissolved into the water you can strain the mixture and set the liquid aside.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
Step 6: Melt the Base Oil
Using a double broiler (or a glass bowl that fits snug in a pot) heat the base oil over low heat until it is completely melted.
Step 7: Combine Ash Water and Melted Oil
Slowly stir in the ashy water to the melted base oil on low heat. Continue adding the ash liquid until you get your desired shade of brown or black and until the liquid is completely smooth.
Step 8: Scoop the Soap
As you stir, you will notice that a waxy material begins to form on top of the liquid substance. This material is the soap and can be easily scooped from the broiler into a mold. Continue scooping the soap from the surface into the molds as it forms. Eventually, almost all of the water should evaporate off.
Step 9: Cure the Soap
Leave the soap in the molds for up to two weeks to cure, this will be enough time for the soap to become solid. While the soap is curing it should be stored in a cool, dry place with ventilation. Curing happens as most of the water evaporates out of the soap.
Step 10: The Soap is Ready
Once the soap is firm but malleable it is completely cured and ready for use!
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
Traditional African Black Soap Making
The ash is a key part of the soap-making process. To form, soap requires the combination of fats and either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide that react in a process called saponification. Cocoa pod ashes provide a natural, local, and income-generating source of potassium hydroxide.
Step 2: The coconut oil is either mixed with melted shea butter or palm kernel oil. In either case, the mixture consists of two parts coconut oil to one part shea butter or palm kernel oil.
Step 3: This is when cocoa pod ash makes its entrance. It must first be made into jenkese, the local name for the concentrated solution that is used for soap making. To make jenkese, the gutted cocoa pod is first dried then ground to the consistency of soot.
Step 5: This lumpy soap is pounded in a mortar to produce both consistent texture and elasticity.
Step 7: This new “fluffed soap” is removed from the fire and spread out on rubber to cool.
Step 8: Once cooled, the soap mixture is ready for molding.
The Benefits of Black Soap
Black Soap, a traditional African cleansing agent, offers a wealth of benefits for skin and hair. Made from a time-honored blend of natural ingredients, primarily plantain skins, cocoa pods, and palm tree leaves, Black Soap has been cherished for centuries for its gentle yet effective cleansing properties.
Making your own Black Soap products is a rewarding and empowering experience. By using Black Soap Base, you can easily create a range of natural and effective skincare products at home. Experiment with different ingredients and formulations to find what works best for you.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
