Shea Moisture's African Black Soap has gained popularity for its purported benefits for both skin and hair. This article compiles honest reviews and experiences to help you decide if it's the right product for you. Let's delve into the details.
Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Skin
Earlier this year, I ran out of my regular self-made black soap and needed a replacement. At this very moment also, my hormones decided to remind me of my growing age with a persistent increase of acne on my forehead. The only option I had was to go down memory lane to my former bathing soap Palmolive Naturals. This alternative was shortlived because I felt like it wasn’t washing my body and face and only making my acne worse.
After whining to anyone willing to listen, a friend suggested I try the Shea Moisture African Black Soap and I thought why not. Before I go further, I’d like to say that this is not a sponsored post. All opinions about this product are mine.
The first thing I remember when I opened the pack was how the fragrance filled the air in my room. I was excited but also nervous at the same time. I didn’t want to react to it and I needed my face and body to love it. I especially loved how it felt on my skin as I rubbed it on. Two weeks later, the soap was almost out and I added it to my shopping list with no hesitation.
The day I went shopping, I didn’t find it in my regular supermarket. It took two supermarket visits later before I found Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Troubled Skin. This wasn’t the initial soap I had been using but it was close to it so I bought two pieces. It turned out that besides the absence of a rough surface and a reduced fragrance, there wasn’t much difference between the two soaps.
Read also: African Black Soap Ingredients
It’s pure black and also lathers in black so you have to ensure you rinse off properly or you’ll stain your towel. It’s really huge and difficult to hold for the first few days. It also won’t fit into a soap case until it’s been used for a while or you decide to cut it in two.
It’s also not easily available everywhere. You can find it at Ebeano Supermarket--if you’re lucky--in Nigeria and Walmart abroad.
An added bonus: I have recently started using the liquid African Black Soap Body Wash, and I love it so far. My skin doesn’t feel dry or “tight” from dryness after using the soap.
Pricing and Availability
It’s not cheap and doesn’t last long either (If I remember correctly, the Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Acne Prone & Troubled Skin cost over N4,000 while the Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Troubled Skin cost N2,670 in January but now it’s N3,390)
Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Hair
Living in a dry place like, Montana, means keeping my hair and scalp moisturized is extremely hard. I started using the Shea Moisture product line in August of 2014. My daughter was almost two months old at the time, and wearing my hair naturally was so much easier than keeping it straightened. Being able to hop in the shower, add some product, and go on about the day seemed to be the ideal way to save time on my hair.
Read also: Shea Butter for Skin and Hair
Well, fast forward almost an entire year later, I decided to give the African Black Soap line a try since it mainly concentrates on dry hair and scalp. In one sitting I use the: dandruff control pre-poo rinse, dandruff control hair masque, deep cleansing shampoo, and dandruff control conditioner.
The picture on the left is what my hair looked like after I put the dandruff control pre-poo rinse and dandruff control hair masque in my hair. I then put a plastic shower cap on my hair for 20 minutes to let the pre-poo and masque moisturize before getting in the shower, and shampooing my hair with the deep cleansing shampoo. The dandruff control conditioner can be used as a wash out or leave in conditioner. I chose to use it as a leave in conditioner.
Hair before and after treatment.
The picture on the right is what my hair looked like after I applied the conditioner and combed it through my hair. I put my silk bonnet on before bed and waited for the results.
Pros
- These products definitely kept my scalp from being flaky with dandruff, and that is what I was ultimately going for.
- It takes a few products and steps to moisturize my scalp, but it is completely worth the extra time and effort.
- I also LOVE the smell of this African Black Soap line.
Cons
- Although my scalp was moisturized I didn’t get the same result for my hair.
- My hair wasn’t dry by any means, but it also wasn’t as hydrated and moisturized as my scalp was from the products used.
- However, the biggest con to me was how sticky my hair felt from the conditioner.
Overall, I liked the product and will continue to buy it for ridding my scalp of the dandruff. However, I plan on finding another leave in conditioner to use after using the other products. I will probably use the dandruff control conditioner as a rinse out, and use another product for the leave in conditioner.
Read also: Shea Body Butter Review: Tree Hut Moroccan Rose
Summary of Shea Moisture African Black Soap Reviews
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons based on the reviews:
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Effective for acne, pleasant fragrance, good cleansing | Can stain towels, large size, not easily available |
| Hair | Effective for dandruff control, moisturizing for scalp, pleasant smell | May not moisturize hair as well, conditioner can leave hair sticky |
Shea Moisture Clarify & Balance with The African Black Soap | Ulta Beauty
If you asked me is the African Black Soap Shea Moisture line worth the money? Have a happy and blessed Sunday!
