African Black Soap

African Black Soap is a traditional plant-based soap from West Africa made from 50% Shea butter, with coconut oil and (responsibly sourced) palm kernel oil. This soap is made using a mix of plantain skin ash and cocoa pod ash, as the alkali needed for saponification. 

The mixture of alkali and butters is stirred continuously over low to medium heat for a significant period, sometimes up to a full day. As the ingredients simmer and smoke, a chemical reaction (saponification) occurs, converting the butters and the alkaline solution into soap.

African Black Soap has a unique texture that is malleable, but crumbly with a very slight earthy scent. Nothing else is added.  This is a true "Natural" soap.

Sold in 50g or 100g portions, wrapped in wax paper.

Our African Black Soap has been sourced from Ghana.

Using African Black Soap

The most important step is to avoid rubbing a raw chunk of the soap directly onto your skin, as the natural plant matter (ash) could be slightly abrasive.

   Embrace the Power of Pieces:  Instead of using the entire soap bar at once, break into smaller pieces. This not only prolongs the life of the soap but also allows you to use smaller portions as needed. Plus, smaller pieces tend to lather more effectively.

   Lather First:                 Break off a small piece of the soap. Rub the piece between your wet hands, agitate with an African Net Sponge,a loofah, or a face washer until you have a rich lather.
   Apply to Skin or Hair: Gently apply the lather to the desired area (face, body, or hair).
   Rinse Thoroughly:       Rinse the area completely.

Caring for your African Black Soap

Store Your Soap in a Cool and Dry Place.  Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity. A cool, dry environment helps prevent premature softening and ensures your soap remains firm.

Safety: For external use only. Keep out of eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse with cold running water. Not recommended to use on broken or damaged skin. If a rash or irritation develops, discontinue use. Test product for any skin irritation on a small area of the skin prior to use. Please check ingredient list for possible allergens.

Due to the nature of handcrafted products, colours and patterns may vary between batches. Soap pictured is representative bar from the current batch.