African black soap is a unique all-natural soap that is made from plant-based ingredients such as plantain and cassava skins, cocoa pods, and palm kernel oil. It was created centuries ago in Yorubaland and has spread throughout West Africa. It is known all around the world for its deep cleansing and exfoliating properties and is for both skin and hair.

African black soap has several benefits that are almost immediately obvious to a first time user. Excellent for both skin and hair, African black soap will reduce the appearance of blemishes and dark spots, improving skin texture and tone, and even moisturizing dry skin. It is very effective in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne and hyperpigmentation.

There is a lot of misinformation about black soap. The original and most authentic type of African black soap is Nigerian black soap made in Yorubaland, SW Nigeria. Yourubaland is where black soap was first created many centuries ago before it was introduced to other West African countries. It is known as – Ose Dudu. Nigerian black soap has a very deep brown hue to it that is similar in colour to dark roast coffee or 100% cocoa dark chocolate. It is also the most expensive black soap and is of very high quality. It should be hard but soften and melts when exposed to air.

After this is the Ghanaian Black Soap or Alata Samina, which is a version of Nigerian black soap but with improvised ingredients which result in a chunky  light brown coloured brittle product. It is less expensive than Nigerian black soap and it is a lot more available due to cheaper price. The light brown colour is how you know the difference. Ghana black soap is an affordable alternative to Nigerian black soap if you can find a reputable brand.

There is also the fake black soaps which are jet black or charcoal in colour. Any soap that is jet black or rock-hard and brittle, like a regular toilet soap, is fake. Premium black soap should be firm but slightly moldable.

Yes it is. While African black soap is generally considered to be suitable for all skin types, some people may experience dryness while using it. This is because the soap contains natural exfoliants. This is a good thing! To counter dryness, use natural oils like jojoba for the face and shea butter for the body and hair while still damp.

Some commercial African black soap products may contain synthetic fragrances or other additives that can cause skin irritation. You should avoid these brands and stick with all-natural brands like Ase African black soap.

African black soap is a good option for people with sensitive skin, as it is made from natural ingredients and does not contain harsh chemicals like regular soap. However, it is important to ease your skin into using African black soap by using it every other day for as little as 1 minute and gradually increasing the frequency and duration.

Yes, African black soap can be used on the face and body as a gentle cleanser. However, it is important to ease your skin gently into the use of black soap, especially if you have sensitive skin.