Tips/How-tos

African Black Soap Benefits

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African black soap also known as black soap is a soap type that originated from West Africa. Commonly used by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, African black soap has gone from being a local product to beauty and cosmetic gold as it African black soap now sells on Amazon. African black soap side effects are nothing to worry about, except you are allergic to one of the ingredients. It is often said that there are benefits of black soap for stretch marks, but when you go through a million and one African black soap reviews, it is not a common feedback. The truth about African black soap is that the soap is so organic, you never know, there might even be African black soap benefits for hair.

The soap that was deemed local and traditional in time past, when the public preferred foreign products, is now cherished. The raw African black soap benefits cannot be denied because the soap contains organic and natural ingredients, that’s best for your skin. African black soap is made from the ash of locally harvested African plants, which gives the soap its characteristic dark colour. Black soap has become a popular toiletry product in North America. Nigeria and Ghana are countries where black soap is largely produced. Black soap is often made by women and fair-traded. Each woman uses a secret family or community recipe that is handed down from generation to generation. The production process starts with sun-drying ingredients, such as plantain skins, palm tree leaves, shea tree bark and cocoa pods, and burn it to ash. After that, water is added and oils and fats like coconut oil, palm oil, and shea butter are added to the mix. The mixture is cooked until it solidifies. It is then hand-stirred for a minimum of 24 hours after which, the black soap is scooped then left to “cure”. In Nigeria, there is a wide range of black soaps. The variety is collectively called ose-dudu which is the Yoruba translation for black soap. The most popular black soap brand in Nigeria, ‘Dudu Osun’ produces a combination of black soap with leaves of the tropical camwood tree with exfoliating properties. The best thing about it is that it is affordable.dudu osun

  1. Suitable for all skin types

African black soap and the skin are a match made in heaven. This is because it is suitable for all skin types, be it oily, dry, combination, sensitive, dark or light skinned, black soap is skin friendly to all. This is because ingredients such as coconut oil in black soaps hydrate the skin reducing dryness. At the same time, it adds moisture to the skin. The moisture helps to correct and balance overactive sebaceous gland. Black soaps are made from natural ingredients that neither bleach nor alter skin complexions drastically. It is also mild for sensitive skin.

  1. It is antibacterial

African black soap has been proven to be effective against certain fungus. African black soap is a known remedy for athlete’s foot, ‘jock itch’, ringworm, nail fungus and candida overgrowth, also known as yeast infections and it can be used against household mold.

  1. Contains exfoliating properties

As commonly said, black soap is an organic product. It is unprocessed and raw, hence, it is not unusual to find ingredient particles in the soap. These particles and grains provide a slightly rough texture ideal for a gentle exfoliation. The presence of these grains is also a sign that you bought authentic African black soap.

  1. It’s anti-inflammatory

Black soap is rich in vitamins A and E which are both antioxidants. These antioxidants are essential in helping the skin combat free radicals that attack and cause damage to the skin tissues. This is helpful to people experiencing inflammatory conditions.

  1. It is anti-acne

Acne is caused by clogged pores. People who have high sebum production are more acne prone than others. African black soap contains lauric acid which is sourced from coconut oil and palm kernel oil. This acid is ideal for cleansing the skin. African black soap also contains other essential nutrients and fatty acids which serve as acne fighters. Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, capric acid, and vitamin E which makes it an excellent acne treatment since it. It also works to balance the skin’s pH levels and calm inflamed and irritated skin. Other natural ingredients in African black soap have their own unique properties which help to fight acne and keep the skin fresh.

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African Black Soap
photo via ideahacks.com
  1. Evens out the skin tone

Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone are two peas in a pod. Hyperpigmentation is caused by acne scarring, inflammation, sun damage and other skin injuries. African black soap helps to soothe or prevent such uneven skin tone with the help of one of its special ingredients, cocoa pods. Cocoa pods inhibit tyrosinase activity, resulting in lighter skin tones. It also naturally absorbs UV light, offering some added protection from sun damage that causes dark spots to form in the first place.

  1. It helps to fight eczema

Eczema is a menace and most people do not even know they have eczema. Symptoms of this skin disease include, dryness, ashes, flakiness, bumps, fissures, peeling, itchiness or redness. African black soap is capable of soothing and fighting it. Ingredients such as Coconut oil, shea butter, and red palm oil present in black soap can counter inflammation and add moisture to the epidermis. These elements provide deep hydration while soothing the swelling and pain that often accompanies an eczema flare-up.

  1. Scalp treatment

Dry skin, shampooing too often, using lots of styling products, and dermatitis is the major causes of dandruff on the scalp. African black soap can be used as a clarifying treatment to remove this flaky build-up. For oily hair, dilute a small amount of soap with water and let it permeate the scalp for 10 minutes and for normal or dry hair, dilute with a conditioning oil, and rinse away soon after massaging it into your scalp.

  1. Minimizes scars & blemishes

The ingredients of African black soap are essential for reducing the appearance of acne blemishes and scars. Shea butter is a popularly used natural product, essential for repairing skin tissue and boosting collagen production. a good source of vitamin E is Red palm oil and is a crucial element in the maintenance of healthy skin. The essential fatty acids in palm kernel oil, red palm oil, and coconut oil support the regeneration of skin cells which helps scars fade away.

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