Balance SkinCare - Sheffield UK promotes using affordable unrefined skin care products, healthy eating and living as natural lifestyle as possible

African Black Soap skin care

What is African Black Soap

Raw African Black Soap is a natural soap used for skin care, traditionally hand made in West Africa which has been passed down through generations. It is made with Unrefined Shea Butter, the ashes from dried plantain skin, palm leaves and powder of roasted cocoa pods.

Ingredients such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, aloe vera and vitamin E are also added, note the ingredients will vary due to the makers choice.

African Black Soap is also known as Ose Dudu, Ose means soap and dudu means black which comes from the Yoruba language of Benin, Nigeria and Togo. In Ghana black soap is known as Anago Samina or Alata Samina.

Raw African Black Soap is free from sulphates, parabens, fragrance and is suitable for vegan skin care. This skin care product is also alkaline.

What colour is raw African Black soap?

Although this raw soap is called African Black Soap it is a variation of brown shades and not black as indicated in the name. Due to the roasting of the cocoa pods and plantain skins the ashes are black hence the name.

Texture of African Black Soap

Raw African Black Soap is soft, crumbly and can be broken with hands or cut with a knife and shaped easily. Depending on the time the plantain and cocoa pods are roasted will determine the colour of the final product, which varies from light brown or a darker brown, both have the same benefits.

Benefits of using African Black Soap on skin

African Black Soap can be used on hair and the whole body. Known for the ability to deep clean the skin and hair.

Please note that African Black Soap may have a tingling sensation on the skin which some people may find irritating. The tingling sensation could be due to extra sensitive skin or ingredients in the soap that individuals are allergic to.

Unrefined African Black Soap from Nigeria - West Africa

How to make African Black Soap for skin care

African Black Soap skin care product made traditionally in Ghana West Africa

How to use African Black Soap on skin

24 hours before using African Black Soap do a skin patch test behind the ear to see if you are allergic to this skin care product.

Laver soap in hands then apply laver direct to skin, a small amount of soap lathers quite easily. Rinse with luke warm water and pat dry, Use a moisturiser or moisturising cream or butter on skin as skin will dry out.

African Black Soap can be used as part of a skin care routine, depending on personal preference and sensitivity of skin will determine how often it is used.

Do not put the dry soap directly on skin as this could cause a allergic reaction.

Using African Black Soap to make skin care products

Raw African Black Soap can be used to make skin products such as:

Liquid African Black Soap
Skin brightening Black Soap
Home made African Black Soap
Facial cleanser

Soap for glowing skin
Foaming cleanser
Shampoo
Body wash
Skin toner

Liquid gel

Which skin type is African Black Soap suitable for?

All skin types can use African Black Soap, they are normal, dry and oily skin types. Sensitive skin types can use African Black Soap on the skin it is recommended to do a skin patch test first before using on the whole body.

Ingredients added to African Black Soap to make homemade skin care products

Sulphur
Tumeric
Lemon juice

Essential oils
Glycerine
Rose water

Grapeseed oil
Coconut oil
Vitamin E

How to store African Black Soap

African Black Soap which is being used should be left in a soap dish, please ensure that the soap dish has no water in it as the water will melt the soap.

Unused African Black Soap should be kept in the original wrapper it arrived in. Place in a cool and dark place in a plastic bag, greaseproof paper, brown paper, parchment paper or an air tight container.