If you’ve been perusing the beauty and skincare aisles lately, you’ve probably seen one item pop up all over the place: African black soap. Maybe you’ve seen it in a body far or especially for the face, but one thing’s for sure - this ingredient is having a moment.
And it has been met with mixed reviews. Some see it as a skin-soothing miracle product, while others claim that it’s drying or that it even burns their skin.
That’s why we figured we’d investigate and see what all the hype - and all the confusion - is really about.
Our final verdict? It couldbe a great product for you, particularly if you have oily or acne-prone skin.That said, we recommend that you proceed with caution and know that this isn’tsomething you can just slather on with abandon.
First thing’s first: unlike with most skin care products - which are pretty standardized - you will probably never buy the same African black soap twice. Why? Known as ose duduin Yoruba(which literally translates to black soap), the soap is made by combining:
But the thing is, plants don’t grow the same way every time, and each batch can contain slightly different proportions of the main ingredients (even if you’re buying from the same brand every time). That’s why you’ll never get the same soap twice - and also why it can cause skin reactions sometimes, and feel super nourishing others.
In western Africa, black soap was created to protect their skin against the arid environment and sun-soaked conditions. It's benefits?:
This is ultimately a purifying and balancingproduct, and it can definitely be harsh if that’s not what you need. If you have dry, normal, or sensitive skin, then, it can be very drying and irritating - particularly if you use it on your face. If this is you, we suggest a more gentle and nourishing cleanser like Bright Side that will protect and rebuild your skin’s natural barrierwith ingredients like mango seed butter, vitamin E, and glycolic acid.
Even if you dohave oily or acne-prone skin, keep in mind that you may expect your skin to go through a purging periodwhen you first start using African black soap. During this time, the skin can feel dry, tight, and extra congested.
This is especially true if you’re battling skin congestion to begin with, and it should clear after about a week. Either way, you do need to use a powerful moisturizer to offset the drying effects, and it certainly can be worth it if you want to really clear your skin up.
If you have oily skin, acne prone skin, or excessive dark spots, African black soap can truly help you overcome these concerns and clarify your skin over time. That said, always remember that you’re dealing with a really effective, strong product here - so you have to use with care and make sure that your skin is not becoming over-dry in the process.
Here’s to clearer, brighter skin!