African black soap is a natural cleanser that comes from West Africa. This soap is made from cocoa bean ash, palm tree leaves, and processed bananas. These plants contain vitamins and nutrients that are good for the skin. Therefore, African black soap is a good choice for your beauty routine. You can also make shampoo from African black soap by mixing black soap, water, and your favorite oil!
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Method 1 of 2: Using African Black Soap on the Skin
Step 1. Cut the African black soap into pieces
Since African black soap is generally sold in bulk, you can cut the soap into pieces to prevent them from running out quickly. You can store unused pieces of soap in a sealed container and then put it in the refrigerator. Place one part of the soap into a container and then place it in the sink or bathroom.
The small pieces of soap are also very easy to use, especially when your hands are wet
Step 2. Take a small amount of soap and make it round
Since African black soap contains a fairly harsh plant substance, it is best to use a small amount of soap. This is done to prevent irritation of the skin caused by pieces of tree bark that are not completely crushed.
Some people feel stinging or burning when applying black soap on the skin. Using it in small amounts can help prevent this
Step 3. Wet the soap and rub it until it foams
Black soap contains palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Both of these oils contain lauric acid. Lauric acid creates a natural lather when you rub the soap with wet hands.
- Rub the soap until it produces a thin foam that can coat the skin thoroughly. Do not apply too much foam so that the skin does not dry out.
- You can use a rag or sponge to rub the soap into a lather.
Step 4. Gently rub the soap on the skin
You can apply black soap on your face or body. Apply the soap while massaging the skin using your fingertips, rag, or sponge. Black soap will clean the skin and shed dead skin. Black soap is commonly used to treat acne, relieve rosacea, lighten dark spots, and heal rashes.
Black soap can dry out the skin. Therefore, apply soap 2-3 times a week. Apply a gentle moisturizing soap specially formulated for your skin on days when black soap is not used
Step 5. Rinse with cold water
Just like when washing your face with ordinary cleansing soap, rinse the black soap thoroughly after washing your face. Besides being able to remove dirt or oil, rinsing soap from your face can also remove the remaining soap that sticks to it. The remaining black soap that sticks can make the skin dry if not removed.
Step 6. Dry skin and apply toner
African black soap is alkaline, so it can affect the pH balance of the skin. Therefore, apply a small amount of toner on a cotton ball, then gently wipe it on the skin.
Use a toner made of a gentle material like rose water. Do not use toners that contain alcohol so that the skin does not dry out
Step 7. Use a moisturizer
Since black soap can dry out your skin, apply a moisturizer to your skin after using the soap. Besides being able to moisturize the skin, a moisturizer can also make the nutrients of black soap seep into the skin better.
If you apply black soap on your face, use a moisturizer specially formulated for facial skin. Body skin is thicker than facial skin. Therefore, body lotions are too harsh for facial skin
Step 8. Store the soap in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag
So that the soap remains durable and does not run out quickly, store it in a closed container. When exposed to air, the soap will harden and be difficult to use.
Sometimes there is a white coating on the surface of the black soap. This is normal and will not affect the quality of the soap
Method 2 of 2: Making Shampoo from African Black Soap
Step 1. Cut or grate 25 grams of African black soap into small pieces
Small pieces of soap dissolve more easily in warm water than large ones. Therefore, cut or grate the soap into small pieces. Since black soap is generally bulky, cut it into about 25 grams for best results. After that, chop or grate the soap until smooth using a knife.
The size of the soap used does not have to be the right size. Know the total weight of the black soap, and then estimate how big the 25g piece of soap will be. For example, if you buy 100g of black soap, use about of the soap
Step 2. Place the soap in an airtight container
Before putting the shampoo in the bottle, start by placing the piece of soap into a plastic or glass container. By doing this, you can easily mix soap and other ingredients when making shampoo.
If using an airtight container, you can stir the shampoo after adding the oil
Step 3. Pour about 250 ml of hot water into the container
The hotter the water is, the faster the shampoo will melt. For best results, boil the water first. You can also heat the water using the microwave.
- If you want a slightly runny shampoo, add more water. If you want a slightly denser shampoo, don't add too much water.
- Be careful when heating water in the microwave. Immediately turn off the microwave before the water boils. If the water is too hot, the microwave may explode. Check the microwave manual for how long the microwave can safely heat water.
Step 4. Leave for 2 hours and stir occasionally
The soap will dissolve in the water as the mixture cools. Every 20 minutes, stir the soap with a spoon or wooden spoon to make the soap melt faster.
When the water is not hot but the soap has not completely dissolved, place it in the microwave for 30 seconds and then stir
Step 5. Mix 2-3 different oils, 20 ml each
Black soap can dry out hair. Therefore, add natural oils that are full of nutrients to shampoo so that your hair becomes soft. Once the water and soap mixture has cooled, add jojoba, coconut, olive, or argan oil. You can also add shea butter, grapeseed, or neem oil.
- If using coconut oil or shea butter, prepare the required amount and then heat it in the microwave to melt before adding to the shampoo.
- This shampoo can be made in various combinations. If you don't know what oil to mix with the shampoo. Reduce the recipe and make several servings of shampoo with different combinations. By doing this, you can find out which oil is right for your hair.
Step 6. Add about 1-3 different essential oils, 10 drops each
To give your shampoo a unique scent, you can add essential oils like rosemary, chamomile, lavender, tea tree, or peppermint to your shampoo. Drop 10 drops of essential oil each into the shampoo and stir.
- In addition to fragrance, essential oils can help maintain healthy hair. For example, rosemary oil can stimulate hair growth and increase circulation.
- Lavender oil can help to shine hair and get rid of dandruff.
- Peppermint oil can help grow hair.
- Do not apply orange essential oil as it can make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight. The scalp may burn if it is exposed to the sun for too long.
Step 7. Put the shampoo in the bottle if necessary
When you're done making your shampoo, you can put it in a bottle to make it easier to use. You can use an old shampoo bottle or a bottle with a pointed end. This can make it easier for you when applying shampoo to the hair roots directly.
- If using shea butter or coconut oil, you may need to microwave the shampoo to make it less thick.
- African black soap will not expire. However, some essential oils have an expiration date so that may affect how long the shampoo will last.
Step 8. Wash hair as usual using African black soap shampoo
Wet hair and then apply shampoo to hair. Massage the scalp until the shampoo lathers. Black soap shampoos will lather, but not as much as the commercial shampoos you're used to.
- You may need to shake or stir the shampoo before applying it.
- Black soap shampoo can remove dirt and oil from the scalp effectively. As with most clarifying shampoos, use a black soap shampoo every 2-3 times you wash.
Step 9. Rinse hair with cold water or apple cider vinegar
Just like using regular shampoo, you should rinse your hair thoroughly after using the black soap shampoo. Rinsing your hair with cold water can help seal the cuticles, retain moisture, soften, and shine.
Since African black soap is alkaline, you may need to rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar to help balance the pH of your hair. However, if you don't have apple cider vinegar, or don't like using it, you don't need to do this
Step 10. Apply conditioner
Due to the oil content in African black soap shampoo, hair will be nourished and moisturized. However, this shampoo can make your hair slightly frizzy. To solve this problem, use your favorite conditioner after washing your hair with black soap shampoo.
