African Black Soap

African Black Soap

Are you looking to enhance your skin care routine with natural products that will help you promote a healthier complexion while fitting in with your green lifestyle? If so, African black soap could be the ideal start to your daily regimen. This cleanser is both beneficial for the skin and a natural alternative to synthetic soaps. At Walgreens, we have a selection of African black soap products in a variety of forms to help you find the ideal solution for your skin care routine.

What Is African Black Soap?

African black soap is a traditional skin care product that has been produced in parts of West Africa for generations and used as a beauty secret by local women. The soap gets its name from its dark brown to black color, which is much different than the hues of most ordinary bar soaps. True African black soap is made by sun-drying and roasting leaves found on local trees. Plantain and palm leaves are the most commonly used base ingredients. The ash left over from roasting the leaves is mixed with nourishing plant oils. Traditionally, the mixture is then allowed to harden into a bar.

What Is African Black Soap Good for?

The natural ingredients found in traditional African black soap are packed with nutrients that are known to be good for the skin. Plantain leaves are high in vitamins A and E, antioxidants that can help to protect the skin tissue from environmental damage. The oils mixed with the ash base allow the soap to nourish and hydrate the skin during cleansing, which helps to combat dryness. The soap is also a highly effective cleanser and capable of removing makeup residue as well as excess oil. Some people believe that African black soap has the ability to promote skin healing and use it to address blemishes and other skin issues.

Is African Black Soap Good for the Face?

African black soap is used as a cleanser, so it typically should be the first step in a daily skin care regimen for the complexion. The facial soaps are typically sold in bar form and must be lathered with the hands or a wash cloth. The lather is massaged against the face to break up impurities, and then the soap must be washed away thoroughly with water. After cleansing, you can apply the other products in your skin care regimen, such as your toner and moisturizer.

Other African Black Soap Products

Today, African black soap is not just available in bar form. Manufacturers now offer liquid versions that can be used as a body wash to cleanse the skin from head to toe. Some shaving soaps for men's complexions have an African black soap base, giving them the antioxidant protection and hydrating benefits of traditional black soap. You can also find hair care products that contain African black soap and that can be used daily to cleanse and condition the hair. These new forms of African black soap may combine traditional ingredients with other natural or cosmeceutical ingredients for the skin and hair.