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.
This soap isn’t limited to just cleansing the skin. African black soap has antibacterial properties which can help improve certain skin conditions, and might even slow down some signs of aging.
African black soap is originally an all-natural soap produced in different countries in West Africa. 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. Other additions can include aloe vera, honey, shea butter, lime, or camwood — a tree native to central West Africa.
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.
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.
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.