Does African Black Soap Whiten Skin? (Product List Below)

Natural skincare is becoming more popular as people start to realize the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals on the body as well as the environment. Additionally, consumers have begun to realize that natural ingredients are just as effective — if not more potent — than its synthetic counterparts. That’s the reason why the demand for products like African black soap has soared in the past few years.

What is African black soap?

African black soap isn’t a specific brand of soap. Rather, it refers to a traditional recipe that originated from Africa. Women from African countries like Nigeria and Ghana have long been recognized for their amazingly flawless skin. Apart from genetics, they attribute that to their traditional soap recipe, which happens to have a distinctively black color.

African black soap was specifically formulated for use on both skin and hair. It effectively cleanses and then nourishes. Plus, it has potent anti-aging effects. Overall, it helps you feel clean and look younger and brighter using all-natural ingredients that have been proven safe for all skin types, especially African and African American. Because of all these benefits, many people looking to lighten their complexion use it as well.

What are the ingredients of African black soap?

In African villages, women commonly hand-craft this black soap. As such, there is a multitude of different recipes with families swearing by their own versions. No matter what, though, the traditional African black soap recipe surely contains the following essential ingredients:

• Ashes of Palm Leaves – Contains vitamins and minerals that are good for the skin. It is especially rich in allantoin, a natural chemical compound that stimulates skin rejuvenation. 
• Ashes of Plaintain Skin – Rich in vitamins E and A, which protect the skin and also boosts the production of collagen. Consequently, it leads to healthier and younger-looking skin.
• Pulverized Cocoa Pods – Rich in antioxidants that repair damaged cells. It also has potent anti-inflammatory effects that address a number of skin conditions like acne and eczema. 
• Palm Kernel Oil – Has powerful protective and anti-bacterial benefits. It also helps address inflammatory conditions. 
• Cocoa Butter – An effective natural moisturizer that also works to reduce the appearance of blemishes and even out skin tone. It also helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Does African black soap work for skin whitening?

African black soap was not explicitly formulated to whiten skin. However, it is effective in lightening blemishes, evening out skin tone, and making you look brighter overall. That’s why many users liken it to skin lightening products. Additionally, its protective effects minimize the risk of sun damage, which keeps your skin from darkening.

What are the other benefits of African black soap?

Apart from making skin appear lighter, African black soap offers a number of essential benefits, including:

• Cleanses – Anti-bacterial properties and deep cleansing benefits help minimize the appearance of blemishes and other skin conditions. It is also helpful in removing makeup.
• Exfoliates – The ash and powdered cacao help get rid of dead cells and revitalize skin without causing damage or sensitivity.
• Nourishes – Provides essential nutrients to encourage the development of new, healthy, glowing skin.
• Combats excess oil – Keeps sebaceous glands clear and healthy in order to minimize oil production.
• Repairs and heals – Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties repair damaged cells and help treat a variety of skin conditions.
• Moisturizes – Keeps skin supple and youthful.

What are the best African black soaps?

Because of the artisanal nature of these soaps, it’s challenging to find and try them all to make a judgment on which the best ones are. However, here are the most popular and well-loved versions that are easy to find and buy:

1) Wonderfully Natural Organic African Black Soap

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An authentic product formulated and manufactured by a small company in Ghana, West Africa. Wonderfully Natural hand-crafts these soaps using an enhanced recipe. Apart from the traditional African Black Soap ingredients, this also contains organic coconut oil, which enhances its moisturizing, skin brightening, anti-acne, and anti-aging effects. Plus, the manufacturer offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

2) Our Earth’s Secrets Premium Raw African Black Soap

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What Our Earth’s Secrets lacks in packaging appeal, it makes up for in potency. This handcrafted product is a genuine African black soap from Ghana. Like the Wonderfully Natural version, this enhances the traditional recipe with coconut oil for its remarkable benefits to the skin. Plus, the company guarantees fair trade and cruelty-free practices.

3) Incredible by Nature African Black Soap

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Incredible by Nature’s African Black Soap is also made in Ghana, West Africa. Rather than cocoa butter, it uses unrefined shea butter, which has similar moisturizing and skin-protecting benefits. Because it clears up the skin from acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions, it is commonly mistaken for a skin lightening soap. Indeed, whiter and brighter skin is a welcome bonus.

4) Shea Moisture African Black Soap with Shea Butter

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The African Black Soap by Shea Moisture is made in the USA but with processes that are true to the original African recipe. Although it uses a lot more ingredients than your traditional, handcrafted versions, it promises no parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, or sulfates. Among its essential enhancements is the addition of tea tree oil, which helps further cleanse the skin as well as minimize inflammation and redness.

5) Raw Apothecary African Black Soap

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Raw Apothecary has long been known for its all-natural products with simple ingredients. Among the African black soaps that are made in the USA, this is among the few that remains true to the traditional recipe. Its only ingredients are purified water, palm oil, cocoa pods, palm kernel oil, plantain skin ash, natural vitamin E, and natural sodium. Natural sodium is an excellent addition because it enhances the soap’s healing benefits and also acts as a natural deodorant.

Should you try using African black soap?

African black soap is most commonly used by people with African or African American skin. But, its skin brightening, nourishing, and anti-aging benefits should benefit individuals of all complexions and skin types. So, no matter what your skin concerns are, you might enjoy using this product. Besides, they’re generally inexpensive and definitely worth much more than you pay. When you do decide to try it, make sure you select a product that lives up to the all-natural traditional recipe.