Many have revered African black soap for having skin nourishing benefits due to a potential abundance of antioxidants. The soap is usually made from the ashes of plantain skin, cocoa pod, palm leaves, and palm oil from leaves or kernels. Some additional ingredients, depending on the makers of the soap, could be honey to soften skin and shea butter or cocoa butter for extra moisturizing (some black soap is more potent than others and can be drying).
Protects against photoaging and fade discoloration: Black soap sheds darkly pigmented skin cells caused by UV damage while also preventing further photoaging. Antioxidants in black soap protect the skin from free radical damage, which is a cause of premature skin aging, wrinkles, and facial lines. Unstable atoms with unpaired electrons are called free radicals, explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. Electrons like to be in pairs, so these unstable atoms scavenge the body to seek out other electrons so they can become a pair. This causes damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. And this damage can lead to inflammation, aging, and even cancer. The skin is constantly exposed to free radicals from UV radiation and pollution.
Improves skin tone: Many users report that black soap firms and tones skin and improves skin texture for more supple and glowing skin. Jessica Weiser, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University, says the charcoal-like plantain leaves aids in cell turnover and exfoliation. “Additionally, vitamin A gradually turns over the skin surface cells to reveal fresh skin cells, which will also brighten and even skin tone,” she adds. Reduces inflammation and skin irritations: Black soap may help reduce inflammation and skin irritations, soothing dry and irritated skin, and relieving dry patches, rashes, and red areas.
Helps to heal problem skin: The combination of vitamin A and physical exfoliation may ease the symptoms of skin conditions like acne. Users have said that black soap helps lessen, treat, and clear their acne and eliminates their blackheads, psoriasis, and eczema. Antibacterial action can help control acne and eczema, while shea butter, cocoa, and coconut oil may help to moisturize and soothe psoriasis and eczema.
Has deep cleansing action: Black soap is effective at removing makeup because of the oils and butters. By the principle of like dissolves like, the oil components help to dissolve oils. It also gently exfoliates, which helps to cleanse the skin and remove debris.
Alleviates razor bumps: It is often used by men when shaving because of its high shea butter content meant to protect the skin. Exfoliation also helps free trapped hairs under the skin, while sulfur soothes post-shaving irritation. Austin-based dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD, adds that the moisturizing effect will soften the hair and therefore make shaving more manageable.
Usage: To avoid the aforementioned irritations, you’ll need to learn how to use African black soap safely. Otu says to ease into using it daily. “Try to use it about two to three times a week alongside a gentler cleanser.” As an extremely effective deep cleanser and exfoliator, be cautious and pay attention to your skin’s response. Otu says the cleanser can be used as part of either a morning or night routine.
