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African black soap, originating mainly from West Africa, is a natural cleansing agent derived from the ash of various plants such as cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and plantains. Enriched with essential vitamins and nutrients, these botanicals offer remarkable benefits for your skin, rendering African black soap a revitalizing inclusion in any beauty regimen. Additionally, you can create your own shampoo using African black soap by blending the soap with water and your preferred oils!
Procedures
Applying Raw African Black Soap to Your Skin
Cut a block of African black soap into bars. Typically sold in large blocks, black soap's longevity can be extended by slicing it into bars with a sharp knife. Storing the unused portion in a sealed container in the refrigerator while keeping a smaller quantity in a conveniently accessible container near your sink or shower helps preserve its freshness.
- Utilizing smaller soap bars also enhances manageability, particularly when hands are wet.
Take a small portion of black soap and shape it into a small ball. Black soap contains natural particles that may be abrasive to the skin, so it's advisable to work with small amounts at a time to avoid potential irritation from larger pieces. This precaution helps minimize any discomfort caused by residual tree bark or pulp.
- Moreover, some individuals may experience a burning or tingling sensation when applying black soap directly. Starting with a small amount can help mitigate this reaction.
Moisten the soap and rub it to generate foam. Black soap incorporates ingredients such as palm kernel oil and coconut oil, both rich in lauric acid. When rubbed between wet hands, the lauric acid creates a natural, frothy lather.
- Only generate enough foam to produce a light coating on the skin. Excessive lathering can lead to dryness.
- If preferred, a washcloth or loofah can be used to lather the soap.
Gently massage the soap into your skin. Suitable for use on both the face and body, massage the soap into the skin using fingertips, a washcloth, or a loofah. This gentle action effectively cleanses and exfoliates the skin. African black soap is commonly employed to address acne, soothe rosacea, diminish dark spots, and alleviate rashes.
- Due to its potential drying effect, limit usage to 2-3 times per week. On alternate days, opt for a mild, moisturizing cleanser tailored to your skin's needs.
Rinse off the soap with cool water. As with any soap, it's essential to rinse away residues of African black soap thoroughly post-wash. Besides removing dirt and oils from the skin, rinsing eliminates any soapy residue that could lead to skin dryness if left behind.
Pat your skin dry and apply a toner. African black soap tends to be alkaline, which may disrupt the skin's pH balance. Counteract this effect by applying a small amount of toner to a cotton ball and gently dabbing it onto the skin.
- Opt for a toner containing soothing ingredients like witch hazel or rosewater, rather than alcohol, which can cause excessive dryness.
Apply a mild moisturizer to your skin. Given that black soap can have a slight drying effect, it's advisable to follow up with a lightweight moisturizer. Besides maintaining skin hydration, this step helps lock in the beneficial nutrients from the plant-based black soap.
- If using black soap for facial cleansing, opt for a moisturizer specifically formulated for facial use. Facial skin is more delicate compared to the skin on the rest of the body, thus requiring lighter formulations.
Store the soap in a tightly sealed container or plastic bag. To extend the lifespan of your soap, store it in an airtight container. Exposure to air can cause the soap to harden, making it challenging to use.
- Occasionally, black soap may develop a white film, which is normal and does not affect its quality.
Crafting Shampoo with African Black Soap
Chop or grate 1 oz (28 g) of African black soap into small pieces. Smaller soap pieces dissolve more readily in warm water than larger chunks, facilitating the process. Since black soap typically comes in large blocks, it's advisable to slice off a small portion weighing approximately 1 oz (28 g), then either grate or finely chop it with a knife.
- Exact measurement is unnecessary. Use the initial weight of your black soap as a reference for estimating 1 oz (28 g). For example, if you have a 4 oz (110 g) block of soap, approximately a quarter of it would suffice.
Transfer the soap into a small jar with a secure lid. Although you may eventually pour the finished shampoo into a squeeze bottle for convenience, it's preferable to begin by placing it in a plastic or glass jar. This facilitates stirring the ingredients together during the shampoo-making process.
- Opt for a lid that seals tightly to enable swirling or shaking of the shampoo once oils are added.
Pour approximately 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water over the soap. The hotter the water, the better it will dissolve the soap. For optimal results, consider boiling the water beforehand, but microwaving it is also an option.
- To adjust the consistency of the shampoo, add more water for a thinner texture or less water for a thicker consistency.
- Exercise caution when microwaving water, ensuring it does not reach boiling point to prevent accidents. Refer to your microwave's manual for safe heating instructions if unsure.
Allow the soap mixture to rest for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally. As the mixture cools, the soap will gradually dissolve into the water. Stir the mixture every 20 minutes with a spoon or wooden stick to expedite the melting process.
- If the soap hasn't fully dissolved after cooling, microwave the mixture for about 30 seconds and stir again.
Incorporate 1.5 tablespoons (22 mL) of 2-3 preferred oils into the mixture. Since black soap can be drying, enrich your shampoo with nourishing natural oils for added softness. After the soap and water blend has cooled, introduce oils such as jojoba, coconut, olive, or argan oils.
- If using coconut oil or shea butter, melt the required amount in the microwave before adding to your base.
- This customizable shampoo allows for experimentation. If uncertain about oil combinations, try smaller batches with various combinations to determine preferences.
Include approximately 10 drops each of 1-3 favorite essential oils if desired. To impart fragrance to your shampoo, incorporate essential oils like rosemary, chamomile, lavender, tea tree, or peppermint. Add approximately 10 drops of each into the shampoo mixture and stir well.
- In addition to delightful scents, many essential oils offer hair health benefits. For instance, rosemary oil is believed to stimulate hair growth and enhance circulation.
- Lavender essential oil contributes to hair shine and dandruff control.
- Peppermint oil aids in promoting hair growth.
- Avoid using citrus essential oils due to their potential to increase sun sensitivity, leading to scalp sunburns when exposed to sunlight.
Transfer the mixture to a dispenser bottle if preferred. Once your shampoo blend is complete, consider transferring it to a squeeze bottle for convenient application. Utilize an old shampoo bottle or a bottle with a narrow tip, such as a condiment dispenser, to facilitate direct application to roots.
- If shea butter or coconut oil was used, microwave the shampoo to thin it before use, if necessary.
- African black soap has a lengthy shelf life, but consider the expiration of essential oils, which may impact shampoo longevity.
Shampoo your hair with African black soap shampoo as usual. Wet your hair, then apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage it in. Although the shampoo will lather, it may not produce as much foam as commercial shampoos you're accustomed to.
- Due to potential settling, consider shaking or stirring the shampoo before use.
- This shampoo effectively removes dirt and oils from your scalp. Similar to most clarifying shampoos, it's advisable to use it every 2-3 washes.
Rinse your hair with cool water or diluted apple cider vinegar. After shampooing, thoroughly rinse your hair as you would with regular shampoo. Using cool water helps to seal the hair cuticle, promoting moisture retention and imparting a shiny, smooth appearance.
- Given the alkaline nature of African black soap, consider rinsing your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar to restore pH balance before conditioning. However, this step is optional if you don't have apple cider vinegar or prefer not to use it.
Condition your hair with your preferred conditioner. The nourishing oils in African black soap shampoo provide moisture to your hair. However, the shampoo may cause tangling. Combat this by conditioning your hair after shampooing with your favorite conditioner.
- Most commercial conditioners contain detangling agents.
Items Required
- About 1 oz (28 g) of African black soap
- Warm water
- 1.5 US tbsp (22 mL) of your preferred oil
- 10 drops each of your preferred essential oil
- Small jar or dispenser bottle
Pointers
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Genuine African black soap should exhibit a brown hue, not black.
