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. 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. Most of the time coconut oil is replaced by palm oil but because palm oil contributes to deforestation, it is best to use coconut oil instead. Banana leaves 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 The journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that extracts of cocoa pods can inhibit tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that produces melanin in the skin. Skin products that include cocoa pod extracts can help to lighten skin and boost collagen, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles. 13 Minimizes scars and blemishes

Cut or pull a small portion of soap off the bar or dissolve it in water, so it’s smoother and gentler to use. The gentle nature of the soap allows it to be used by pregnant women (for stretch marks, skin conditions by hormonal changes) 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 oil

What is African Black Soap Made Of?

Did you know you can make your own lye? And it can even be full of nutrients that will benefit your skin. Studies have shown that it deep cleans and improves skin on par with other soaps, including cleansers with chemicals. Cocoa butter is a natural fat extracted from the cacao bean. It’s been used for years as a moisturizer. It's vitamin-rich and helps the skin retain moisture and improves elasticity. Cocoa butter is also said to improve the appearance of stretch marks. It has also beenused to ease skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and other rashes.

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 Cocoa butter is a natural fat extracted from the cacao bean. It is an extremely effective moisturizer and is readily absorbed by the skin, making it a top recommendation for the treatment of eczema and dermatitis. Shea butter Plantain skins and leaves have a high concentration of iron and vitamins A and E. Vitamin E helps with tissue structure, is healing, and helps moisturize the skin, improving texture and tone. Vitamin A benefits collagen production.Allantoin in the leaves of plantain stimulates the growth of new skin cells. 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. It is often used by men during shaving because of the high shea butter content that protects the skin.

Varani J, Warner RL, Gharaee-Kermani M, Phan SH, Kang S, Chung JH, Wang ZQ, Datta SC, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ. Vitamin A antagonizes decreased cell growth and elevated collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2000 Mar;114(3):480-6. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2000.00902.x Joshi S, Kaushik V, Gode V, Mhaskar S. Coconut Oil and Immunity: What do we really know about it so far? J Assoc Physicians India. 2020 Jul;68(7):67-72. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32602684/ 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

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. 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 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 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.https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3c8d/e2bbaee9864c8d4a663ae5124cb75f68e9c1.pdf?_ga=2.145959990.364537019.1594319718-1427344174.1593433677 Look for some of the following products to make sure you’re buying the real thing while also supporting related communities: When the soap issemi-hard, cut it into bars and let them cure for a few weeks. This soap should cure fairly fast since it’s partially cooked. If your rash symptoms persist or worsen, even while using the soap, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options. 6. Treats fungus

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. For some patients with acne or razor burn, mechanical exfoliation can make the condition flare up instead of get better,” says Dr. Vij. “As always, beware when using a new product to see which way your skin goes.” 5. Helps with mild skin rashesAlternatively, if you want to avoid putting the bar directly on your skin, lather a wet washcloth and gently wash your face. Side Effects and Risk Factors