African black soap is a traditional soap that comes from West Africa. It’s made from natural ingredients and can benefit your health in many different ways. African black soap is originally an all-natural soap produced in different countries in West Africa.
This recently trending ‘must-have’ for your skin care routine has a history of use that goes back quite some time. 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?
What is African Black Soap?
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. Unlike the synthetic soaps you find at the drugstore, authentic black soap is handmade from plant-based ingredients in Africa. If possible, buy fair-trade black soap. Each fair-trade purchase supports sustainable production, and, in some cases, it directly benefits communities in need.
With natural antibacterial and exfoliating properties, African black soap acts gently to improve skin texture and tone. 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.
“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. “Used properly, it can help protect your skin and may treat a variety of common skin conditions, from dandruff to acne.”
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Generally, African black soap doesn’t contain lye (a common soap component). It’s usually unscented without dyes or other additives.
Key Ingredients
Exact recipes depend on where the soap originated from, but most include palm kernel oil, and the filtrate of burnt cocoa pod ash or roasted plantain skin ash. 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.
Other additions can include aloe vera, honey, shea butter, lime, or camwood - a tree native to central West Africa. 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.
African black soap is made without adding lye, which makes the texture soft and lends a more moisturizing quality. It’s also unscented, making it suitable for most skin types.
Types of African Black Soap
As the demand for African black soap has boomed, so has the variety of soaps available. Some are traditional, others more processed. And you have a wide selection of natural ingredients to choose from.
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The real thing - authentic African black soap - is handmade with a dark gray or brown color and an uneven surface. It’s softer than commercial (machine-made) soaps, so its edges may slightly crumble. When it comes to this unique soap, imperfection is a good sign.
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.
There are many kinds of African black soap available on the market today. Some are more processed than others. Try to find one with the least amount of processing possible.
Real vs Fake African Black Soap
Benefits of African Black Soap
African black soap is touted for its many potential healing properties. It may help with breakouts, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and more. African black soap offers various benefits to the skin, including deep cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturization. It helps remove dirt, oil, and impurities, unclogs pores, and promotes smoother skin texture. Besides that, its moisturizing ingredients help to hydrate and nourish the skin, restoring its natural moisture balance. African black soap is known to soothe inflammation, reduce acne, and improve overall skin tone and clarity.
Studies have shown that it deep cleans and improves skin on par with other soaps, including cleansers with chemicals. “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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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.
Detailed Benefits
Dr. Vij cites several potential benefits of African black soap for your skin:
- Removes Bacteria: Studies show that African black soap’s natural antibacterial ingredients work better than medicated cleansers to remove certain harmful bacteria, dirt and other impurities. Black soap has antibacterial properties. Studies show this natural cleanser works better than medicated soaps when removing the following bacteria:
- Escherichia coli
- Corynebacterium spp.
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Bacillus spp.
- Deep Cleans Your Skin: African black soap’s natural ingredients make it a thorough facial cleanser and makeup remover. Its oils and butters help dissolve makeup, while it effectively removes dirt from your face or body. Not only is black soap a facial cleanser, but it also cleans just about anything. Some people use it for doing housework. 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. It can provide much-needed moisture after you have cleansed your skin.
- Exfoliates to Help Improve Skin Texture and Tone: 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. The plantain skins and leaves found in African black soap are naturally high in vitamin A, which can brighten your complexion, too. When left unprocessed, the raw ingredients that make up black soap leave the product far less smooth than the average drugstore soap bar. This makes it a natural exfoliant, which may help improve skin texture. “It’s a good alternative to chemical products if you’re looking for a product with natural ingredients,” says Dr. Vij.
- Reduces or Prevents Razor Burn: If you’re used to having irritated skin or razor bumps after you shave, you may want to give African black soap a try. The oil and butter in African black soap may help soothe skin to prevent the aftereffects of razor burn. 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. May eliminate razor bumps. In a limited survey, 54% of participants said they were “very satisfied” with how black soap cleared their razor bumps, and 40% reported they were “somewhat satisfied”. Use it before shaving to soften your hair and make shaving easier. Exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells before they can clog your hair follicles. The moisture in African black soap may also help prevent the lumps and bumps that result from razor burn. “For some patients with acne or razor burn, mechanical exfoliation can make the condition flare up instead of get better,” says Dr. Vij. “As always, beware when using a new product to see which way your skin goes.”
- Helps with Mild Skin Rashes: Some people use African black soap to improve rashes caused by eczema and other types of dermatitis, psoriasis and skin allergies. May clear some skin rashes. Some people use Black soap to help improve eczema. But more research is needed to tell if it’s an effective solution for eczema overall. More research is needed to confirm these benefits of African black soap, says Dr. Vij. African black soap that contains shea butter may also soothe itchiness and irritation caused by:
- eczema
- contact dermatitis
- skin allergies
- Treats 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. Black soap may fight against fungus and yeast. Studies show it’s effective against a yeast called candida albicans. It can help promote skin health by fighting off yeast and fungal infections. Because it has antifungal properties, it can even be used to fight dandruff on the scalp.
- Moisturizes Without Stripping Essential Oils: African black soap’s multiple ingredients help strike a balance - shea butter adds moisture to your skin while coconut oil prevents excess oiliness. 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.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. Use African black soap to relieve dry skin or itchiness, especially if you have combination skin. “Some people do find that African black soap can dry their skin,” says Dr. Vij. “If that’s the case, you can use less or try another brand with more moisturizing ingredients.”
- May Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Research is needed to know whether African black soap can reduce the visible effects of aging. 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. Shea butter may help reduce signs of ageing. In turn, this can help plump up fine lines and wrinkles. The rough texture of the soap can also exfoliate dead skin cells that make fine lines more noticeable.
- Protects Against Oxidative Stress: Exposure to air contaminants, UV radiation from the sun, skin care products and cosmetics affect your skin every day. 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. Antioxidants found in shea butter can help protect your skin from photoaging. Over time, sun exposure can cause sun spots (age spots), but black soap may offer another barrier.
- Reduces 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. You may find this helpful for inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea. 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. This may be helpful for people who have inflammatory conditions like rosacea.
- Treats Acne: African black soap may improve acne and balance the natural oils in your skin. May help reduce acne and clear blemishes. Black soap has been reported to reduce and treat the appearance of acne. Hyperpigmentation is often caused by acne scarring and sun damage - two things that African black soap may help soothe or prevent. 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.”
- Treats Dandruff: 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. You can also use African black soap as shampoo. “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.
You can use African black soap in your skin care and hair care routine. If you have dry or sensitive skin, proceed with caution. Your skin may feel tight after cleansing with black soap, so have a moisturizer on hand. Try to get a black soap that contains shea butter for extra moisturization. You might get redness or a tingling feeling on your skin at first. Try a patch test before applying it to larger sections of your body.
Steps for Facial Use
Follow these steps to use African black soap on your face:
- Wet your face, then grab the soap and work it into a lather in your hands.
- Massage the soap into your skin in circular motions for 90 seconds.
- For extra exfoliation, use a washcloth or other exfoliating tool before rinsing (optional).
- Rinse with cool water.
- Apply moisturizer.
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.
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.
Additional Tips
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.
Frequency of Use
For most people, using it once or twice a day is suitable for cleansing the face and body. However, if you have sensitive or dry skin, you may want to start with less frequent use, such as every other day or a few times a week, to avoid over-drying or irritation.
You can use African black soap in both your morning and evening skincare routines.
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!
Using African black soap daily is generally safe for many individuals, but it's essential to consider your skin type and its reaction to daily use. Some may find daily use too drying or irritating, especially those with sensitive or dry skin. While African black soap is suitable for many skin types, some individuals may not tolerate it well. Those with extremely dry or sensitive skin may find it too harsh or drying, leading to irritation or discomfort.
Potential Side Effects
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.
It’s possible to be allergic to any soap. If your skin becomes irritated or you develop a rash, 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.
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.
Storage Tips
Here are some essential storage tips to keep your African black soap in good condition:
- Dry Storage: African black soap should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Excessive exposure to moisture can cause the soap to soften or dissolve prematurely.
- Air Circulation: Allow your black soap to dry thoroughly between uses to prolong its shelf life.
- Keep Covered: While it's essential to let the soap dry between uses, it's also helpful to keep it covered to protect it from dust and debris.
Suitability for Different Skin Types
Determining if African black soap is suitable for you involves considering your skin type, concerns, and preferences. Combination skin can benefit from its ability to balance oil production. Many with sensitive skin find it gentle, but patch testing is advisable. African black soap is highly effective for acne-prone skin, but results may vary for hyperpigmentation. African black soap appeals to those preferring natural ingredients and enjoys a rich cultural heritage.
Expected Timeline for Results
The time it takes for African black soap to clear the skin varies depending on individual factors such as skin type, concerns, and consistency of use. Some people may notice improvements in their skin's clarity and texture within a few weeks of regular use, while others may require more time.
African black soap may help improve the appearance of dark spots over time, thanks to its exfoliating and skin-brightening properties. Regular use can help slough off dead skin cells, revealing fresher, brighter skin underneath. Additionally, the soap's antioxidant-rich ingredients may help fade dark spots and promote a more even complexion.
In conclusion, African black soap offers a multitude of benefits for improving the health and appearance of your skin.
