Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using pure African black soap on your skin
• Method 2 of 2: Make African black soap shampoo
• Necessities
• Tips

African black soap is a natural cleanser mainly made in West Africa from the ashes of plants such as cocoa beans, palm leaves and plantain. The plants are packed with vitamins and nutrients that are great for your skin and make African black soap a nourishing addition to any beauty routine. You can also make your own African black soap shampoo by mixing the soap with water and your favorite essential oils!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using pure African black soap on your skin

1. Cut a block of African black soap into bars. Black soap is usually sold in large blocks, and you can extend its life by cutting it into bars with a sharp knife. This way you can keep what you don't use in a closed container in the fridge, and only keep what you need in a smaller container near the sink or shower.
   • It is easier to work with smaller bars of soap, especially when your hands are wet.
2. No a small piece of black soap and make a ball. Since black soap contains vegetable matter that can be rough on your skin, it is best to work with it a little at a time. This prevents irritation from larger pieces of tree bark or pulp that have not completely broken down.
   • In addition, some people experience a burning or stinging sensation when they apply black soap directly to the skin. You can prevent this by soaping with just a small amount of it first.
3. Wet the soap and rub it to create lather. Black soap contains ingredients such as palm kernel and coconut oil, both of which contain lauric acid. The lauric acid forms a natural and soapy foam when you rub the soap between your wet hands.
   • You just need to make enough lather to make a light layer on your skin. Too much foam can dry out your skin.
   • If you prefer, you can use a washcloth or sponge to lather the soap.
4. Rub the soap gently into your skin. You can use black soap on your face as well as the rest of your body. Massage the soap into your skin with your fingertips, a washcloth, or a sponge. The black soap provides a gentle cleansing and scrub of your skin. Black soap is often used to treat acne, soothe rosacea, lighten dark spots, and heal rashes.
   • Since black soap can dry out your skin, it's a good idea to use it about two or three times a week. On the other days, use a moisturizing cleanser specifically for your own skin type.
5. Rinse the soap off with cool water. The same as when you wash your face with any other soap, when you are done washing you should also rinse off the residue of the African black soap. In addition to rinsing off dirt and oils from your skin, rinsing the soap will also rinse away the soapy residue that can dry out your skin if left on your skin.
6. Dry your skin and apply a toner. African black soap is alkaline and can therefore disturb the pH of your skin. You can counteract this by putting a little toner on a cotton ball and then dabbing it gently on your skin.
   • Unlike alcohol, which can dry out your skin, use a toner that is made with soothing ingredients such as witch hazel or rose water.
7. Apply a gentle moisturizer to your skin. Since black soap dries out your skin a bit, use a light moisturizer afterward. In addition to keeping your skin hydrated, the cream also seals the remaining nutrients from the plant-based black soap.
   • When washing your face with black soap, use a moisturizer specially designed for the face. The skin on the rest of the body is thicker - so body lotions are often too heavy to use on your face.
8. Store the soap in an airtight container or in a sealed plastic bag. To extend its shelf life, keep the soap in a sealed container. If exposed to air, the soap will harden and be difficult to use.
   • Black soap sometimes develops a white film. This is normal and has no effect on the quality of the soap.

Method 2 of 2: Make African black soap shampoo

1. Cut or grate 30 g African black soap into small pieces. Small pieces of soap dissolve more easily than large pieces in warm water, so it is a good idea to break the soap down. Since black soap usually comes in large blocks, it is best to cut a small piece of about 25g off first and then grate or finely chop it with a knife.
   • The weight does not have to be exact. Simply use the weight of the total block of black soap to estimate what should be about 25 g. For example, if you buy a 100 g block, you know to use about a quarter of it.
2. Put the soap in a jar with an airtight lid. Even though you want to put the shampoo in a squeeze bottle as it is more convenient to use, it is better to start by prepping it in a plastic or glass jar. Stirring the ingredients together while making the shampoo will be a lot easier in a jar.
   • A cap or lid that seals tightly allows you to twist or shake the shampoo after adding the oils.
3. Pour about 1 cup (240 ml) of very hot water over the soap. The hotter the water, the better the soap will melt. For best results, you should boil the water first, or you can simply heat it in the microwave if you prefer.
   • If you want a thinner shampoo, use more water. Use less water if you prefer a thicker shampoo.
   • Always use caution when heating water in the microwave and turn the microwave off before the water boils. If it gets too hot, it could explode. If you're unsure, check the microwave's manual to find out how long you can safely heat liquids in the microwave.
4. Let the soap mixture sit for about two hours, stirring occasionally. The soap should dissolve slowly in the water while the mixture cools. Stir the soap every 20 minutes with a spoon or wooden stick to speed up the melting process.
   • If you notice that the water has cooled completely, but the soap has not melted yet, microwave the mixture for 30 seconds and stir again.
5. Stir in 20ml per each of your 2-3 favorite essential oils. Black soap in itself is very drying; so it is best to add natural and nourishing oils to the shampoo so that your hair becomes super soft. Once the soap and water mixture has cooled, add oils such as jojoba, coconut, olive or argan oil. Other oils you could use include: shea butter, grape seed, vitamin E, or neem oil.
   • If you are using coconut oil or shea butter, melt the necessary amount in the microwave before adding it to the base.
   • You can adjust this shampoo indefinitely. If you're unsure of which oils to use, cut back on the recipe and make some small batches of different combinations to see which one you like best.
6. Add about 10 drops each of 1 - 3 of your favorite essential oils if desired. If you want a fragrance in your shampoo, you can add essential oils such as rosemary, chamomile, lavender, tea tree or peppermint. Stir about 10 drops per oil into the shampoo mixture.
   • Many essential oils, in addition to smelling wonderful, can improve the health of your hair. For example, rosemary oil is thought to stimulate hair growth and improve circulation.
   • Lavender essential oil keeps your hair shiny and controls dandruff.
   • Peppermint oil promotes hair growth.
   • Avoid using lemon essential oils in your hair - they can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. This could lead to a nasty sunburn on your scalp if you spend some time outdoors.
7. If desired, transfer the mixture to a dosing bottle. Once the shampoo mixture is ready, you can put it in a squeeze bottle for easy application to your hair. You can use an old shampoo bottle or a bottle with a pointed top, such as a sauce bottle, to make it easier to apply the shampoo directly to the root.
   • If you used shea butter or coconut oil, you may need to microwave the shampoo to dilute it before using it.
   • African black soap does not have an expiration date, but some essential oils do and can affect the life of the shampoo.
8. Wash your hair as you always do with the African black soap shampoo. Wet your hair, then apply the shampoo to your roots and massage it in. Black soap shampoo lathers, but maybe not as much as what we are used to from commercial shampoos.
   • Since some sedimentation may occur, it is wise to shake or stir the shampoo before use.
   • This shampoo is very effective in removing the dirt and grease from your scalp. As with most clarifying shampoos, it is a good idea to limit their use to every 2-3 washes.
9. Rinse your hair with cool water or apple cider vinegar. The same as with a normal shampoo, you should rinse your hair thoroughly after washing. Using cold water when rinsing closes the hair shaft, sealing in the moisture in the hair and leaving your hair looking shiny and smooth.
   • Since African black soap can be alkaline, it is a good idea to rinse your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar before conditioning it to balance the pH of your hair. However, if you do not have or do not like to use apple cider vinegar, this is not necessary.
10. Condition your hair with your usual conditioner. Thanks to all the added oils in the African black soap shampoo, your hair will be nourished and hydrated. However, the shampoo tends to mess up your hair. To combat this, you can condition your hair with your favorite conditioner after shampooing.
    • Almost all commercial conditioners contain anti-tangle.

Necessities

• About 25 g of African black soap
• Warm water
• 20 ml of your favorite oil
• 10 drops each of your favorite essential oil
• Small jar or dosing bottle

Tips

• Original African black soap should look brown, not black.