This second recipe is more technical than the first because it involves making your own substitute lye with banana skin/leaves or cocoa pods. Roast them until they turn to ashes and then add shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, safflower or sunflower oil, and vegetable oil. Cook it for a bit then pour into a mold. When it has somewhat hardened, cut it into bars and cure for a few weeks. This recipe is probably the closest to the real thing albeit the extra hard work. Cocoa powder softens and firms the skin. Its properties fight against free radicals,repair damaged skin,and renew skin cells. At Healthy and Natural World, our mission is to empower people to take control of their own health by providing comprehensive, practical and well researched information. Alleviates razor bumps: Men often use it whenshaving because of its high shea butter content meant toprotect the skin.Exfoliation also helps free trapped hairs under the skin, while sulfur is meant to soothe post-shaving irritation. Austin-based dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD, adds that the moisturizing effect will soften the hair and, therefore, make shaving more manageable. Coconut oil promotes wound healing and protects skin from water loss, both of which contribute to stabilizing the skin barrier.

The gentle nature of the soap allows it to be used by pregnant women (for stretch marks, skin conditions by hormonal changes) While there have not been any studies on its effect on Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria related to acne development , this soap may have the potential to have the same effect on C. acnes bacteria. Reduces inflammation Zerbini C, Vergura DT, Latusi S. A new model to predict consumers’ willingness to buy fair-trade products. Food Res Int. 2019 Aug;122:167-173. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2019.04.008 Ogbolu DO, Oni AA, Daini OA, Oloko AP. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7. doi:10.1089/jmf.2006.1209

These properties have positive effects on the skin and can help remove harmful bacteria as well as dirt and impurities. plantain skin ashes, cocoa pod leaves/powder, palm leaves, palm oil/palm kernel oil & shea/cocoa butter. This recipe is an alternative to the above and it substitutes ash of plantain leaves with coconut carbon. The lye is dissolved into water and then the oils and butters are mixed into it and cooked on low heat. Finally, the coconut carbon is incorporated and then the mixture can be poured into molds. If you can’t buy coconut carbon or lye in your local area, this recipe isn’t for you. Shea butter has a high percentage of fatty acids and allantoin which work to heal skin by increasing cell generation. Allantoin also soothes, softens and protects the skin. Together they can effectively reduce acne breakouts and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Removes excess oil This soap provides multiple benefits: sloughs away dead skin cells and debris, removes excess oil and regulates oil production, reduces inflammation, and moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier.

Also be careful not to use this soap with chemical exfoliants. The combination may be too strong for your skin. If you have symptoms that persist or worsen, consult your dermatologist. Nourish and care for your skin Niki E. Evidence for beneficial effects of vitamin E. Korean J Intern Med. 2015 Sep;30(5):571-9. doi:10.3904/kjim.2015.30.5.571

While deeper exfoliation may be beneficial for some people with acne, it may be too harsh for those for sensitive skin or more severe acne. This may make it beneficial to use when a person has athlete’s foot or another fungal infection. 10. It has potential moisturizing effects If your rash symptoms persist or worsen, even while using the soap, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options. 6. Treats fungus If you experience dryness after using (or especially overusing) this soap, your skin may overcompensate and overproduce oil as a response to this dryness. This may cause your acne to worsen. Takeaway

That’s it! Simple as it sounds, this natural soap only contains 5 basic ingredients that do an effective job of cleansing skin & hair without stripping off the skin’s natural oils as conventional soaps and shampoos do.

African Black Soap for Acne

Selamoglu Z, Dusgun C, Akgul H, Gulhan MF. In-vitro antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extracts of some contained-allantoin plants. Iran J Pharm Res. 2017;16(Suppl):92-98. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. Published 2017 Dec 27. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070 Gently apply the lather to your face using circular motions to cleanse and remove dead skin cells and bacteria from pores. You might get redness or a tingling feeling on your skin at first. Try a patch test before applying it to larger sections of your body.

This soap is rich in vitamins A and E; both reduce inflammation by targeting free radicals that can damage skin cells. These vitamins also support collagen production to smooth and firm rough, dry skin. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. It is often used by men during shaving because of the high shea butter content that protects the skin. It’s possible to be allergic to any soap. If your skin becomes irritated or you develop a rash, discontinue use. Shea butter or karite butter is made from the nuts of the karite tree and is used to heal burns, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis and sores, as well as dandruff and stretch marks. Its moisturizing properties make it a go-to for combating wrinkles, while increasing circulation and promoting cell renewal. It also contains cinnamic acid, which protects the skin from harmful solar UV rays. Coconut oilStudies have shown that it deep cleans and improves skin on par with other soaps, including cleansers with chemicals. To separate the potash from the water, simply evaporate the water and leave the potash as a crystal. Place the solution in a pan on the stove. To get the best crystals do NOT boil off all the water and instead stop heating once a few small crystals start forming and let the solution slowly evaporate and let large crystals form. Once the pan has cooled, scrape the crystals out.