By Jenell (pictured above) of KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
Do the words – pimple, acne, black head, white head, hyper pigmentation, uneven skin tone, oily, dry, sensitive – describe your skin??
They all used to describe my skin at one point or another, and I’ve used just about every product known to man to help get my skin on the right track. I spent lots of money on face washes, cleansers, exfoliates, astringent, toners, spot treatments, wipes, and moisturizers in hopes of clearing my skin.
Nothing worked well enough. The results seemed promising after the first few weeks, but then slowly but surely the products lost their effectiveness. I was constantly seeking the next best thing. Until one day I was introduced to African Black Soap.
What is Black Soap?
Black soap, or African Black Soap is made up of dried plantain skins, palm leaves, cocoa pod powder, and kernel oil and has been used for generations as a natural remedy for acne, eczema, body odor, and to alleviate oily skin. Its many uses include using it as a body soap for cleansing or lathering and using it as a shampoo.
Natural black soap is actually brown and not black (funny, I know). It is a natural source of vitamins A & E, iron and an all-natural cleanser.works for all skin types, from rough to sensitive, and is said to keep skin smooth and hydrated–but without increasing oily skin for those prone to it. It gives your face a deep cleansing leaving it fresh, and healthier. It helps work against premature signs of aging and wrinkles, alleviates bumps and spots, is great for removing makeup, and is good for deep cleaning without drying out or irritating skin. It can be used by any ethnicity and for men or women.
A Piece of Black Soap
How do I use Black Soap?
I use black soap on my face only. I cleanse my face with black soap in the morning and then again at night. The black soap removes my makeup very easily, which has saved me money because I no longer need to buy those makeup remover wipes! I’ve been using black soap for a year and in the video below you will see an up close and personal view of the condition of my skin.
Ladies, have you tried black soap? What were your results? Are there any other natural skin remedies that you try?
I’ve been using the oil cleansing method to cleanse my acne prone skin. In an attempt to go all natural with skin care products, I recently purchased African black soap from etsy. I did a little research prior to my big purchase.
After my first shower, my skin felt all dried out and was in need of deep moisturizing. After several uses, I find myself with a burning feeling. Like someone poured acid on my skin. Raw Shea butter helps soothe for a little bit, but then the itchy burning feeling doesn’t go away.
I plan to go back to my dove body wash to see if the itchiness continues. Maybe ABS is not for my skin.
I also find my tub gets all scummy after I shower. I like what one person commented-that you have the real soap if you have to clean your tub every other day.
I tried black soap, it was actually black, it had all of the same ingredients but it also listed tar as an ingredient. used for four days my acne started to clear up, but parts of my face was on fire and it seemed like the part that was burning was developing scabs, scary.
I am a Nigerian and have known black soap practically all of my life but never really tried to use it. Black soap, shea butter and all the natural oils are readily available around me but i never tried it till a few weeks ago. I just got real tired of my skin going from dry to oily and back. I also went natural with my hair so ive been doing a lot more research around the natural stuff.
I am a bit curious as to the black soap pics i see on most websites, cos its very different from what i know. That might be why some people are having a bad reaction to it. the black soap im familiar with is actually not made in bars, its more like lumpy powder. It must be those trying to market it that have turned it into bars and only God knows how much of the naturalness it looses or chemical additives they use to get it solid.
That said, i have dry skin and i bath with black soap twice daily. It initially felt a bit drying, but then my skin started glowing when i switched from store bought creams to a mix of natural oils. If you are doing the natural, i think its best to go the whole nine yards cos black soap was used with oils as moisturisers anyway. I use a combination of olive, coconut, almond and castor oils with raw shea butter. Its the magic.
The best way to deal with black soap is to add a little water and turn it into some sort of shower gel. It lathers real good and those still experienceing dryness can add a bit of melted shea butter and/or honey in the mixture. it actually does nothing to prevent it from lathering, but will assist for dryer and sensitive skin types.
I think i can send black soap and/or raw shea butter to anyone who is interested. Im sure we can run some kind of market across borders. You can reach me at onyijane@gmail.com.
I have been using the natural black soap for three weeks now and maybe am having an allergic reaction or something but my face is a mess, I have bumps all over my face an they hurt like hell at first I thought it was the way it works but now my face is jus looking terrible. It also leaves my face dry after every use and it makes it itch like crazy
Years ago I used Nadina black soap and I loved it. Today I decided to purchase the raw black soap. I haven’t used it yet but I was instructed to add a little water and let it dissolved. I am hoping since its Raw my results will be the same as they were before but EVEN BETTER. Your face looks good
Just so you guys know , when using the African Balck Soap in order to prevent the irritation n dryness to happen you shouldn’t leave it on your face for too long (they do say too much of a good thing is bad). Lather it up and massage/scrub ( I use a face brush) for about a minute or so then wash it off and immediately apply some type of facial cream(I use witch hazel as a toner before applying my all natural facial cream). Do this and the African Black Soap(it’s brown by the way) will be your newest friend. I do have oily, acne prone skin and my skin has become so much nicer.
What stores, in Nasvile, Tennessee, sell black soap?
To me it seems black soap selects skin. I hve also usd different colours of black soap like brown, blactk and even orange colour i.e the one packagd in plate.
To me it seems black soap selects skin. I hve also usd different colours of black soap like brown, black and even orange colour i.e the one packagd in plate.