African black soap is touted for its many potential healing properties. African black soap (also called African soap or black soap) is the latest skin care product to reach “holy grail” status, and for good reason. It may help with breakouts, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and more.
This recently trending ‘must-have’ for your skin care routine has a history of use that goes back quite some time. African black soap is a traditional, plant-based soap from West Africa. Authentic African Black Soap is still made today by the people of the Yoruban tribe located in Nigeria.
Unlike the synthetic soaps you find at the drugstore, authentic black soap is handmade from plant-based ingredients in Africa. I love this soap! So while some may swear by its ability to cleanse and nourish many different skin types, you may be wondering - is it worth the hype? Read on to learn more about this skincare favorite and how you can add it to your routine.
Generally, African black soap doesn’t contain lye (a common soap component). It’s usually unscented without dyes or other additives. Try to find one with the least amount of processing possible. To find authentic African black soap, look for a soap that’s brown or grey in color, and has an uneven surface. It should be slightly crumbly around the edges. Read the label to make sure there aren’t any additives you don’t want in your soap.
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What is African Black Soap?
With natural antibacterial and exfoliating properties, African black soap acts gently to improve skin texture and tone. “African black soap has been around for ages, but we’re learning more and more how powerful and effective this cleanser can be,” says Dr. Vij. The soap also reduces inflammation and may help treat some signs of aging like dark spots or wrinkles. You can use African black soap on your face, hands, body - even your hair.
“Used properly, it can help protect your skin and may treat a variety of common skin conditions, from dandruff to acne,” says Dr. Vij. Studies have shown that it deep cleans and improves skin on par with other soaps, including cleansers with chemicals.
How to Make African Black Soap (NO Toxic Chemicals) - EASY Method
Most African black soaps contain one or more of these ingredients:
- Cocoa pod ash, cocoa powder or cocoa butter.
- Coconut oil.
- Palm kernel oil and palm oil.
- Plantain skin ash, leaves or bark.
- Shea butter.
Some African black soaps include honey, aloe vera, lime or camwood (a central West African tree) to enhance their ability to heal, protect and moisturize your skin. Others contain essential oils or oatmeal. Check labels for specific information, especially if you have allergies to skin care products.
Benefits of African Black Soap
In a 2017 survey of 100 clients at New York dermatology clinics, 94% said they were either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with using African black soap overall for their skin care. “African black soap has multiple uses for every skin type, with benefits beyond providing a deep clean,” says Dr. Vij. “We need more research to confirm whether it does even more than clean, but the results so far are promising.”
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Dr. Vij cites potential benefits of African black soap for your skin:
1. Natural Antibacterial Properties
Natural antibacterial properties make African black soap an excellent alternative to chemical-laden cleansers. Studies show that African black soap’s natural antibacterial ingredients work better than medicated cleansers to remove certain harmful bacteria, dirt and other impurities. In fact, it may actually remove more bacteria than chemical cleansers do.
Black soap was more effective at removing and reducing certain bacteria than the medicated soaps:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Bacillus spp.
- Escherichia coli
- Corynebacterium spp.
2. Deep Cleansing
African black soap’s natural ingredients make it a thorough facial cleanser and makeup remover. African Black soap can offer a deeper clean due to its exfoliant properties. This may help ensure you remove all the makeup from your skin. Its oils and butters help dissolve makeup, while it effectively removes dirt from your face or body.
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3. Exfoliation and Improved Skin Texture
African black soap is much less smooth than other soaps, due to the ashes used to produce the soap, so it works as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells before they clog pores and hair follicles. African black soap can offer a deeper clean due to its exfoliant properties. Exfoliation is another key factor in keeping your skin smooth after:
- shaving
- waxing
- other methods of hair removal
Exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells before they can clog your hair follicles. The plantain skins and leaves found in African black soap are naturally high in vitamin A, which can brighten your complexion, too. “It’s a good alternative to chemical products if you’re looking for a product with natural ingredients,” says Dr. Vij.
4. Razor Burn Prevention
If you’re used to having irritated skin or razor bumps after you shave, you may want to give African black soap a try. In the survey of 100 users of African black soap, 92% said they were either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with African black soap for razor bumps. The oil and butter in African black soap may help soothe skin to prevent the aftereffects of razor burn.
Use it before shaving to soften your hair and make shaving easier. The moisture in African black soap may also help prevent the lumps and bumps that result from razor burn.
5. Relief from Mild Skin Rashes
Some people use African black soap to improve rashes caused by eczema and other types of dermatitis, psoriasis and skin allergies. African black soap that contains shea butter may also soothe itchiness and irritation caused by:
- eczema
- contact dermatitis
- skin allergies
It may even help clear rashes related to eczema and psoriasis. More research is needed to confirm these benefits of African black soap. If your rash symptoms persist or worsen, even while using the soap, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options. To maximize these benefits, find a soap with oatmeal added.
6. Treatment of Fungus
Some research suggests African black soap may help control skin fungus, including a yeast called Candida albicans. That means you may be able to use it to treat conditions like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. The soap also may help control dandruff caused by fungus.
7. Moisturizing Properties
African black soap’s multiple ingredients help strike a balance - shea butter adds moisture to your skin while coconut oil prevents excess oiliness. Black soap is rich in vitamins A and E. These vitamins are both antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and attacks on otherwise healthy skin tissues. These oils and fats lock in moisture but wash off well with water, so you’re not left with a buildup that can clog pores.
Shea butter is a crucial ingredient in black soap. While shea can help relieve itchiness and soothe dry skin, cocoa and coconut oil add moisture. Use African black soap to relieve dry skin or itchiness, especially if you have combination skin. If you have combination skin, black soap makes choosing the right soap that much easier. Shea may add moisture, but coconut oil may help prevent overactive oil glands.
8. Reduction of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Research is needed to know whether African black soap can reduce the visible effects of aging. Shea butter may help reduce signs of ageing. In turn, this can help plump up fine lines and wrinkles. Shea butter and coconut oil may help plump up wrinkles and fine lines by slowing the loss of collagen, a fiber-like protein that helps make our tissues strong. Exfoliation can also make fine lines less visible.
The rough texture of the soap can also exfoliate dead skin cells that make fine lines more noticeable.
9. Protection Against Oxidative Stress
Exposure to air contaminants, UV radiation from the sun, skin care products and cosmetics affect your skin every day. Antioxidants found in shea butter can help protect your skin from photoaging. You can see some of these changes with the naked eye - like dark spots or wrinkles. Others, such as free radical damage to skin cells, are invisible. Antioxidants in African black soap may help protect your skin from these effects and help discoloration fade.
Over time, sun exposure can cause sun spots (age spots), but black soap may offer another barrier.
10. Reduction of Inflammation
Rich in vitamins A and E, African black soap’s antioxidants help shield your skin against inflammation and free radicals that damage skin cells. This may be helpful for people who have inflammatory conditions like rosacea.
In addition to balancing your skin’s natural oils, the soap’s shea content may help repair damaged cells. This may be helpful for people who have inflammatory conditions like rosacea.
11. Acne Treatment
African black soap may improve acne and balance the natural oils in your skin. Its antimicrobial properties may even clear severe acne. “African black soap may work for some people who have breakouts,” Dr. Vij says. “The soap helps exfoliate your skin and open pores, while the sulfur and honey reduce inflammation.”
12. Dandruff Treatment
Yes! You can shampoo with African black soap, too. It may even help treat dandruff, thanks to its moisturizing ingredients. Use it like any other shampoo, lathering it into your hair and then rinsing it out.
“There is some evidence that the yeast which drives dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis, can actually grow in cocoa butter or shea butter, so patients with dandruff may see their skin condition get worse instead of better,” says Dr. Vij.
How to Use African Black Soap
It may take some getting used to, but soon, African black soap could become a favorite part of your self-care regimen. First, try a little bit on a small area of your body (patch test), especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. For extra moisturizing, if your skin feels tight after cleansing, choose a black soap that contains shea butter. You can also try adding honey to your soap. Remember, a little goes a long way. Using too much African black soap can dry out or irritate your skin.
You may find it best to use this soap only two to three times a week, switching it up with a gentler cleanser on the other days. Dr. Vij offers these extra tips:
- Cut or pull a small portion of soap off the bar or dissolve it in water, so it’s smoother and gentler to use.
- Lather the soap into your hands before applying to your face, body or hair.
- Massage it into your skin with your hands or a washcloth for about 90 seconds in circular motions.
- Rinse off completely.
- Apply moisturizer and hair conditioner.
Real, unprocessed African black soap has a rough texture. Although the natural texture is ideal for removing dead skin during exfoliation, you’ll want to smooth it out before using it as a regular cleanser. To do this, simply pull a small chunk of soap off of the bar and rub in between your hands. If you prefer a liquid cleanser, you can dissolve your piece of soap in water before use.
You can apply the bar directly to your skin if you’re looking for exfoliation, but be gentle! The rough texture is already an exfoliant in itself, so you don’t have to scrub. You may also consider rubbing the bar on a soft washcloth first for gentle cleansing or use on rashes.
With whatever method you choose, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the soap off with lukewarm water after use. Afterward, apply your favorite moisturizer to your damp skin. This will help lock in the soap’s natural hydrating effects. It can provide much-needed moisture after you have cleansed your skin.
Is it Safe to Use African Black Soap Every Day?
Yes, it’s safe to add African black soap to your daily skin care routine. Clean and refresh your skin once or twice a day (morning and at bedtime) with the soap, followed by a skin toner and moisturizer. And don’t forget sunscreen!
Side effects depend on your skin type and any allergies or intolerances you may have. Some soaps irritate those who have eczema or are sensitive to dyes, fragrances or other ingredients, like sulfur or cocoa. If your skin becomes red or irritated, try switching brands or discontinue use.
Although African black soap can work well for all skin types, using it correctly is key to preventing unnecessary side effects. Some people find black soap to be drying. You may be able to reduce your risk for this by adding a teaspoon of raw honey to your soap mixture. If you’re new to raw black soap, consider using it once every couple of days to start. You can gradually increase your use as your skin gets used to the soap.
It’s possible to be allergic to any soap. If your skin becomes irritated or you develop a rash, discontinue use. Natural black soap is also rough, so it can irritate or even break your skin if you’re not careful. Stinging and burning are also possible. If you’re using a raw block of soap, use gentle, circular motions as you glide it along your skin.
Also be careful not to use this soap with chemical exfoliants. The combination may be too strong for your skin. If you have symptoms that persist or worsen, consult your dermatologist.
The best way to prevent skin breakage is to smooth out the soap and combine it with water, or use it with a washcloth.
If you’re in the market for a multi-tasking cleanser, African black soap may be what you’re looking for. “Start slowly and cleanse gently, and you’re likely to discover why African black soap has been used for centuries,” says Dr. Vij.
