African Black Soap

With natural antibacterial and exfoliating properties, African black soap acts gently to improve skin texture and tone. The soap also reduces inflammation and may help treat some signs of aging like dark spots or wrinkles. You can use African black soap on your face, hands, body — even your hair.

Benefits of African black soap

1. Removes bacteria

Studies show that African black soap’s natural antibacterial ingredients work better than medicated cleansers to remove certain harmful bacteria, dirt and other impurities.

2. Deep cleans your skin

African black soap’s natural ingredients make it a thorough facial cleanser and makeup remover. Its oils and butters help dissolve makeup, while it effectively removes dirt from your face or body.

3. Exfoliates to help improve skin texture and tone

African black soap is much less smooth than other soaps, due to the ashes used to produce the soap, so it works as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells before they clog pores and hair follicles. The plantain skins and leaves found in African black soap are naturally high in vitamin A, which can brighten your complexion, too.

4. Reduces or prevents razor burn

If you’re used to having irritated skin or razor bumps after you shave, you may want to give African black soap a try. The oil and butter in African black soap may help soothe skin to prevent the aftereffects of razor burn.

5. Helps with mild skin rashes

Some people use African black soap to improve rashes caused by eczema and other types of dermatitis, psoriasis and skin allergies. If your rash symptoms persist or worsen, even while using the soap, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.

6. Treats fungus

Some research suggests African black soap may help control skin fungus, including a yeast called Candida albicans. That means you may be able to use it to treat conditions like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. The soap also may help control dandruff caused by fungus.

7. Moisturizes without stripping essential oils

African black soap’s multiple ingredients help strike a balance — shea butter adds moisture to your skin while coconut oil prevents excess oiliness. These oils and fats lock in moisture but wash off well with water, so you’re not left with a buildup that can clog pores.

Use African black soap to relieve dry skin or itchiness, especially if you have combination skin.

8. May reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

Research is needed to know whether African black soap can reduce the visible effects of aging. Shea butter and coconut oil may help plump up wrinkles and fine lines by slowing the loss of collagen, a fiber-like protein that helps make our tissues strong. Exfoliation can also make fine lines less visible.

9. Protects against oxidative stress

Exposure to air pollution, UV radiation from the sun, skin care products and cosmetics affect your skin every day. You can see some of these changes with the naked eye — like dark spots or wrinkles. Others, such as free radical damage to skin cells, are invisible. Antioxidants in African black soap may help protect your skin from these effects and help discoloration fade.

10. Reduces inflammation

Rich in vitamins A and E, African black soap’s antioxidants help shield your skin against inflammation and free radicals that damage skin cells. You may find this helpful for inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea.

11. Treats acne

African black soap may improve acne and balance the natural oils in your skin.

12. Treats dandruff

Yes! You can shampoo with African black soap, too. It may even help treat dandruff, thanks to its moisturizing ingredients. Use it like any other shampoo, lathering it into your hair and then rinsing it out.