What is Black Soap?
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA 
on 09. 4.08
Image source: author
Black Soap, also known as African Black Soap (Anago Soap, Alata Simena,or Ose Dudu), has long been used to heal problem skin. Its good for thinning fine lines, evening out dark spots, eczema, razor bumps and eliminating blemishes. It is also used to lightly exfoliate and give you healthier looking skin. The soap can also be used on your body or hair or for oily skin, dry skin, skin rashes, scalp irritations, body odors and is good for sensitive skin. There are many other claims to the benefits of black soap, which may be proven/disproven by the user.
Black soap is made from the ash of locally harvested plants and barks such a plantain, cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and shea tree bark. First the leaves and bark are sun-dried and then roasted in a kettle or pot at an even, constant temperature, which is important to ensure color, texture and smell. Then water and various oils - palm oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil (including shea butter and cocoa pod powder) - are added to the mixture and stirred for at least a day. After that, the "soap" is left to set for two weeks to cure. Oftentimes the soap is made by women and is fair-traded, though not always.
Black soap is traditionally made in west Africa, typically Ghana, from secret recipes. Different tribes and communities have adopted their own specific (secret) blend of oils and cooking techniques, which can be seen in the different color variations among black soap. The ash itself was often used to heal cuts. Varieties of black soap actually made in Africa tend to be pure, while soaps made in Europe or the US tend to have added artificial ingredients.
The plantain skins give the soap Vitamin A & E, and iron. Because the soap has the highest shea butter content of any soap, it also offers UV protection. The soap is also good for sensitive skin, meaning its a good option for babies or the elderly. Some people with caffeine sensitivities may need to test out soap that contains cocoa pods as there is some evidence that the caffeine can be transmitted through contact with the skin.
Shea Terra Organics offers an African Lemongrass and a Rose Hip facial soap made with 10% shea butter and pure black soap. When it comes out of the bottle it oozes like the something out of a sci-fi movie, but it doesn't have much of a smell so it's pretty easy to get past the horror movie resemblance.
I've used the Shea Terra black soap and have noticed that my skin feels clean but doesn't feel like its been scrubbed. Its hard to tell if my skin is improving due to the soap or from other causes, but either way it does look clearer. Some sites have said that black soap can be crumbly or have an "odd" smell, but the Shea Terra soap comes out smooth with very little smell at all.
Thanks Tipster Martha!
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And I thought my shower was dirty before :-) Not black soap - but cool anyways is the Molton Brown Black Pepper series - awesome.
Another palm oil product plugged on TH after their relentless whining about not using it.
is the palm oil harvested sustainably? how can we buy some of this soap that's made fair-trade?
re: "anonymous" your comment is silly. they are talking about a traditional product made by african tribes, not specifically about palm oil.
for more info...check this site out.
http://www.alaffia.com
Dudu Osun brand is the real deal, made in Nigeria, and all natural. I've used it for years and it is wonderful for the body.
I'm a fan of black soap, and I'm glad you wrote about this. I called Shea Terra Organics to find out about the palm kenel oil. I spoke directly to the owner who told me that the palm kennel oil is what the local tribes use to create the ash that Shea Terra Organics then uses to make its black soap. It's a traditional formula from Africa that's used. She also told me that Shea Terra doesn't use palm kernel in any of the products they produce directly.
I'd also like to try Dudu Osun. Thanks for the recommendation above.
And, an FYI for what it's worth: I tried Alaffia's black soap (noted above). It isn't actually traditional black soap, and it seriously burned my skin, as well as my husband's (and we have very different skin types). When I returned it to Whole Foods, the manager of the Whole Body department told me that they had a lot of returns on it with complaints of burning the skin.
I love Shea Terra's liquid black soap, especially in the African lemongrass, which is really refreshing and clean. The stuff is kind of amazing as it super exfoliates without drying out the skin or causing irritation. My signficant other swears that it's banished his back acne. Aside from Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castille Soap in both peppermint and eucalyptus, I've never used anything else that makes me feels so clean. Both Dr. Bronner and Shea Terra's washes are 100% natural, too, and you can't beat that with a stick.
For fair trade black soap, go to http://www.agbangakarite.com/
I love it, great product, and no I don't work for the company :)
Really, siditty, you don't work for the company yet someone has managed to plug Alaffia twice already in these posts? I visited agbangakarite.com and it's the same company as Alaffia (also mentioned above). Quite the quinky dink, doncha think?
I have just purchased Black Soap,within 3 days my face felt burned {I have olive skin } I kept on using because I was told the tingle or burning ment it was working. Just wondering if ii'm crazy to keep using,I also use the shea butter and it doesnt help the dryness the soap has left and coments please??? thanks
hey babs,
I've been following this thread beause I'm a black soap junkie. Did the shea terra organics burn your face? My understanding is that their soap is for the body not the face. Lemongrass is a pretty astrigent oil that I always see in products for oily or problem skin. I've been using the Shea Terra Black Soap for a few years and haven't had any problems with it burming my skin. I had acne on my shoulders and back for the first time in my life (right after turning 40) and this is the only thing that has worked to keep it clear. Maybe it's the essential oil that's burning you, as opposed to the soap? Did you try the mint, which could be not as strong as lemongrass? I would call the company and speak to them again; they're pretty good to deal with. I sympathesize with you, as I've had my skin react like yours from products, and I know it's not pleasant.
You might also want to try some black soap from Nubian Heritage. This is also "real" black soap, unlike some other brands including Dr. Woods Black Soap, whcih is just a castille soap with black soap added. It's not cooked in the same way as black soap should be. I did try Alaffia Liquid Black Soap Wash and as the person wrote above, it burned thhe devil out of my face and back. I actually got a chemcial burn and ended up at the dermaologist's office. I don't know what they put in that stuff, but it's scary harsh.
I hope you figure out what is bothering your skin. I've been really happy with the results of the Shea Terra but again, it may be the lemongrass essential oil that's too harsh for your face.
r.b.cadwell
what are the antimicrobial activities of these black soaps especially dudu osun
dudu oshun has been very wonderful for my skin. Infact i cannot take my bath properly without using it.Thanks to the producers of this black African soap.
I use the dudu-osun black soap for my face (I have a little bit of acne and dudu-osun helps). For a full body soap I've been using authentic black soap that is imported from Africa - Ghana - I think.
The great thing about the ghana black soap for me is that it's not perfumed at all and is made the traditional way using natural ingredients. The black soap leaves my skin feeling smooth and supple without - almost moisturized.
Lately I've been buying my soap at Afrikan Republic. Here's a link to their site.
http://www.afrikanrepublic.com
Kuapa Kokoo is a farmers co-operative that is fair trade certified and produces cocoa in Ghana. The women want to get into the production of black soap as well. How do we find market for the soap?