Skin Issues? Try Black Soap

Black soap, just as the name implies, is a black (or in some cases dark brown or dark grey) handmade soap made from plant parts and healthy natural oils. It used to be common only in West Africa, where it originates. However, its benefits to the skin have made it prominent and commonly used not only among West Africans anymore but also among other people in different places across the globe.

Black soap is cheap and 100% natural, hence its top-notch effects on the skin. It is made from wild ingredients like palm kernel oil, shea butter, lime, plantain skin, camwood, and the filtrate of cocoa pod ash, all of which are effective in providing the skin with amazing benefits.

Studies have shown that bathing with African black soap can eliminate hyperpigmentation, clear stretch marks, and cure breakouts. In addition, it is gentle on the skin and is affordable.

Recognizing this soap is quite easy. The first thing to scrutinize is the color. It could either be black, dark brown, or dark grey. Coupled with this, it has a rough texture. That is, when you run your palm on the surface of the soap, it gives you a rough feel on your palm. These two features are classic physical features of the African black soap.

This article elaborates on the different health benefits of African black soap to the skin. However, before delving into the benefits of the soap, you should take a quick look at the nutrients that make up the soap.

Nutritional Composition of African Black Soap

• Manganese
• Sodium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, and K
• Phosphorus
• Folic acid
• Potassium
• Mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Protein
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Anthocyanins
• Phenolic compounds
• Polyphenols
• Catecholamines
• Methylxanthines
• Alpha and beta carotene

These nutrients and properties are courtesy of the ingredients used in producing the African black soap. The skin benefits of each ingredient include;

• Palm kernel oil; keeps the skin moisturizer and hydrated
• Plantain skin; prevents skin cell damage
• Coconut oil; protects the skin against ultraviolet rays and is an effective anti-aging remedy.
• Shea butter; is also an effective anti-aging oil.
• Filtrate of cocoa pod ash; prevents oxidative damage to the skin cells.

Skin Benefits of African Black Soap

Safe for Most Skin Types

Studies have shown that African black soap effectively protects and maintains about 90% of skin types. This is because it is produced with 100% natural ingredients derived from plant parts. It is unlike soaps produced with chemicals and has a higher chance of irritating the skin.

In fact, it is effective at curing skin irritation caused by chemical-based modern soaps. Except for very sensitive skin, black soap works perfectly for almost all skin types. In addition to this, it is mild and gives a soothing feel to the skin. It also comes with no form of irritation at all. These make it a great substitute for chemical-laden modern soaps.

Antibacterial Properties

African black soap is packed with antibacterial properties that make it effective in the treatment of bacterial infections on the skin. Studies have shown that African black soap gets rid of bacteria faster and more effectively than chemical-based skin cleansers do.

Bathing with African black soap regularly will reduce your chances of developing bacterial infections on your skin drastically. In addition, this soap can be used on different parts of the skin, ranging from the face to the hands and the neck, among others, for preventing or curing bacterial infections.

Improves the Appearance of Acne

Acne is one of the most standard skin conditions. Although, it can be mild in most cases and severe in some cases. However, no matter the condition of your acne, applying African black soap to your face or bathing with the soap regularly can dry off your acne and eliminate the black spots that are scattered across your face, thereby improving the appearance of your face.

Studies have shown that African black soap clears acne within the first 2 days of its use. In essence, rather than opting for chemical-based face cleansers and creams for treating acne, wash your face regularly or bathe regularly with African black soap and see results within the first 48 hours of its usage.

Exfoliates the Skin

Due to its vitamin C and E contents, African black soap helps exfoliate the skin. Skin exfoliation is the process of the removal of dead skin cells from the skin. This process keeps the skin healthy, smooth, and attractive. However, most people spend heavily on chemical-based skin products for skin exfoliation.

Although these skin products may exfoliate the skin, they come with huge side effects. On the flip side, using black soap for exfoliating the skin is healthier and even cheaper. All you ought to do is stick to bathing with it regularly and massage the soap evenly into every part of your skin for maximum results.

Has Antifungal Properties

Fungi is one of the most common causes of skin infection. Some fungal skin infections can be mild, while some can be severe and require oral administration of drugs.

However mild or severe the fungal infection may be, bathing with African black soap will improve the condition of the infection. It does this by eliminating the fungi from the root and then improving the condition of your skin.

Athlete foot and candida Albicans are the most common fungal skin infections. According to research, the antifungal properties in African black soap can cure fungal skin infections faster and more effectively than some over-the-counter fungal infection creams. All you need to do is, bathe with the soap and see the results in a few days.

Effective Skin Moisturizer

One of the reasons your skin looks boring and unattractive is because it lacks enough moisture. Moisturising the skin makes your skin not just healthy but also attractive.

According to research, African black soap is an effective skin moisturizer. This is because it is made up of healthy oils that keep the skin moisturized. Some of these oils include shea butter, coconut oil, and palm kernel oil, among others. These oils enrich the skin, hydrate it and lock sufficient moisture in the skin.

What is more? Dry skin needs enough moisture to look attractive and stay healthy. Thus, pumping your skin with African black soap that has a wealth of natural oils that serve as a natural moisturizer will go a long way in improving the condition of your skin – keeping it hydrated and moisturized.

Reduces Hyperpigmentation

A lot of factors have been identified to be the cause of hyperpigmentation. For instance, constant exposure of the skin to the sun is a major factor that causes hyperpigmentation. However, bathing with African black soap regularly can give the skin an even color, thereby making it look more attractive to behold.

In addition, this soap protects the skin from sun damage, especially from ultraviolet rays. It gives the skin a kind of sunscreen protection that prevents the skin from being damaged by the sun. In other words, apart from preventing and reducing hyperpigmentation, it also protects the skin from the effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Rich Source of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds or properties that prevent oxidative damage and the death of cells in the body. When cells die and are not gotten rid of, they tend to be risky to the health because they can result in chronic health conditions like cancer.

In this case, the antioxidant properties in black soap prevent the death of the skin cells, thus preventing severe skin conditions that result from the accumulation of dead cells in the skin, like cancer. In cases where some skin cells are already dead, African black soap can also salvage what is left of your skin and return it to how it was. It exfoliates the skin by getting rid of the dead cells, rejuvenates the cells, and helps them bounce back healthily.

Conclusion

African black soap used to be common among only West Africans. However, today more people in different continents across the globe know about it and use it because of the advantages they stand to gain from it.

Bathing regularly with African black soap is enough to meet all your skin needs and even prevent skin conditions that may stem from bacterial or fungal infections.