African black soap is a natural cleanser, made mainly in West Africa with the vegetable ash of cocoa pods, palm leaves and sycamore peels. All of these plants are packed with vitamins and nutrients that are great for the skin, making African Black Soap a perfect complement to your daily beauty routine. It is also possible to make an African black soap shampoo by adding water and essential oils of your choice.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Pure African Black Soap on the Skin
Step 1. Cut a block of soap into smaller pieces
African black soap is usually sold in large chunks, so you can make it last longer by portioning it with a sharp knife. This way, you can store the soap you don't use in a sealed container in the refrigerator and the soap you use in a small container near the sink or in the shower.
Smaller pieces of soap are also easier to handle, especially with wet hands
Step 2. Crush a small piece of black soap and give it a round shape
Since this soap contains herbal substances that can be rough against the skin, it is best to use one piece at a time. In this way, it is possible to prevent any irritation resulting from the pieces of bark or cellulose not crushed present inside the soap.
Additionally, some people experienced burning or tingling sensations after applying the raw soap directly to the skin. Having him do a little foam first can prevent the onset of these disorders
Step 3. Moisten the soap and rub it to produce some lather
Black soap contains some ingredients, including palm kernel and coconut oil, which contain lauric acid: it is an acid that creates a natural foam when rubbed into wet hands.
- The ideal is to make a foam sufficient to cover the skin with a light layer; an excessive layer can dry it out.
- If you wish, you can use a bathroom knob or loofah to lather.
Step 4. Gently rub the soap into your skin
You can use the black soap on your face and all over your body, massaging it with your fingers, a knob or a loofah. The soap will act as a cleanser and exfoliator: this is why it is often used for the treatment of acne, rosacea, to mitigate skin spots and treat skin rashes.
Black soap can make your skin dry, so it's best to use it 2-3 times a week. on other days, use a mild moisturizing cleanser that is suitable for your skin type
Step 5. Rinse your skin with fresh water
Just like you would any other type of soap, you should rinse off any residue after washing. Doing so will remove any excess dirt or oil from your skin, as well as any soap residue that could dry out if it got stuck on it.
Step 6. Dry off and apply a tonic lotion
Black soap is alkaline and this could unbalance the pH of the skin. You can counterbalance this effect by applying a little tonic on a cotton pad and dabbing it gently on the skin.
Opt for a toner made with emollient ingredients - such as witch hazel or rose water - rather than alcohol as it can dry out the skin
Step 7. Apply a gentle moisturizer to your skin
Since black soap has a drying effect, you should apply a light moisturizer after cleansing: in addition to keeping the skin hydrated, it will help absorb the nutrients deposited by the black soap.
If you've washed your face with black soap, use a specific moisturizer for this area - the skin on the rest of the body is thicker, so non-specific face creams tend to be too rich for this area of the body
Step 8. Store the soap in an airtight container or bag
To make it last longer, store it this way, otherwise if left exposed to air it will harden and become more difficult to use.
Sometimes a white film forms on the surface of the soap: it is a completely natural phenomenon that does not affect the quality of the product
Method 2 of 2: Make a Shampoo with African Black Soap
Step 1. Chop or grate 30 grams of black soap
The smaller pieces will dissolve more easily in hot water than large bars of soap. Since black soap is usually sold in large blocks, it is best to cut off a piece of about 30 grams and grate or chop it into small pieces with a knife.
The quantity does not necessarily have to be precise: simply based on the weight of the original block to make an estimate of what 30 grams could be. For example, if you bought a 110 gram piece, you will need to use about a quarter of it
Step 2. Place the soap in a jar with a tightly closing lid
Although you'd prefer to put it in a squeeze bottle, it's best to start with a plastic or glass jar, so it's easier to mix the ingredients together to make the shampoo.
The airtight lid will allow you to shake the jar once you have added the oils you want
Step 3. Pour 1 cup (250ml) of boiling water over the soap
The hotter the water, the easier it will dissolve the soap; for best results, you should boil it first, but you can heat it in the microwave if you prefer.
- If you prefer the shampoo to be more liquid, use a little more water; if you want it thick, reduce the doses a little.
- Always be careful when you heat the water in the microwave and remember to stop it before it starts boiling: it may start to splash. If you're unsure, check your oven's instruction manual to find out how long liquids can be heated.
Step 4. Let the solution sit for about 2 hours, stirring it from time to time
The soap should dissolve in the water as the solution cools. Mix the ingredients every 20 minutes or so using a spoon or wooden toothpick to speed up the melting process.
If you notice that the water has cooled completely, but the soap has not melted, place the solution in the microwave for another 30 seconds and mix it again
Step 5. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons (25 ml) of each oil of your choice (maximum 2 or 3)
Black soap can have a drying effect, so it's best to add some nourishing natural oils to the shampoo to get softer hair. Once the solution has cooled, add jojoba, coconut, olive or argan oil. Other oils you can use are shea, grapeseed with vitamin E or neem.
- If you use coconut or shea oil, take the amount you need, then put it in the microwave to melt it before adding it to the solution.
- You can customize the shampoo to your liking. If you don't have a precise idea of the oils you want to use, try reducing the quantities and making smaller portions with different combinations to see which one you prefer.
Step 6. Add approximately 10 drops of each essential oil you have chosen to your shampoo (maximum 2 or 3), if desired
If you want the shampoo to smell good, you can induce essential oil of rosemary, chamomile, lavender, tea tree, or peppermint. Add about 10 drops to the solution and mix.
- In addition to giving a very pleasant fragrance, many essential oils can improve hair health. For example, rosemary oil is known to stimulate hair growth and improve circulation.
- Lavender essential oil helps keep hair shiny and counteract dandruff.
- Peppermint oil promotes hair growth.
- Avoid using citrus essential oil, as it increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun: this can lead to unpleasant scalp burns if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Step 7. Transfer the solution to a dispenser bottle if desired
Once the shampoo is ready, you can pour it into a bottle that has some type of dispenser to be able to apply it more easily to the hair. You can use the container of an old shampoo to simply squeeze or a bottle with a needle tip, such as those for condiments, in order to facilitate application on the hair roots.
- If you have used shea or coconut oil, it may be necessary to put the shampoo in the microwave to make it a little more liquid before each application.
- African black soap does not deteriorate unlike some essential oils; so remember that adding such oils to your shampoo could affect the durability of the product.
Step 8. Wash your hair as you usually do using African Black Soap Shampoo
Wet your hair, then apply it to the roots and massage it. This type of shampoo produces a little foam, but probably not as much as the commercial ones you usually use.
- Deposits may form at the bottom of the bottle, so it is best to shake or stir the shampoo before using it.
- This type of shampoo is very effective at removing dirt and excess sebum from the scalp. As with most purifying shampoos, it is preferable to limit their use and apply it only every 2-3 washes.
Step 9. Rinse your hair with fresh water or apple cider vinegar
You need to rinse your hair thoroughly after washing it, as you would any other shampoo. Using cold water will help close the cuticles, retain moisture in the hair and leave it shiny and smooth.
Since African black soap is an alkaline product, it may be appropriate to rinse the hair with diluted apple cider vinegar to rebalance the pH before using the conditioner. However, if you don't have apple cider vinegar available, or you don't want to use it, you can do without it
Step 10. Use your usual conditioner on your hair
Thanks to the oils you added to the shampoo, your hair will be nourished and hydrated. However, they may get tangled - to counteract this effect, apply your favorite conditioner.
