Does African black soap lighten skin

OTI Authentic African Black Soap

The African black soap is made of organic ingredients obtained from parts of West Africa where it is popularly made.

It is mainly used for cleansing the skin and is praised for treating blemishes on the skin such as pimples, acne, oily, eczema etc.

The African Black Soap sold at Organic Trade & Investments is made primarily of organic shea butter, potash, aloe vera gel and neem oil

Each bar is highly effective for whatever purpose it is used for as it is made by the best in the industry who source their all-organic ingredients from indigenous farmers.

Some people recommend the use of this soap for the hair due to its healing properties.

African Black Soap contains Vitamin A that enhances collagen production which improves your skin’s elasticity and fights off ageing. It is also rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory abilities that soften, soothe and repair your skin.

In fact, a study in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research compared African black soap with medicated soaps. According to the research, Black soap was more effective at removing and reducing certain bacteria than medicated soaps.

The Shea Butter in the soap also has numerous benefits for your skin.

These days, the popularity of African black soap has grown so much that it is being shipped outside Africa to other continents for use in skincare products.

However, the question that has been asked by some people is: Does African Black soap lighten the skin?

Truthfully, there is no clear-cut answer to this as the soap works uniquely on different skin types. It heals the skin and enhances your natural skin tone.

The African black soap may eventually reduce hyperpigmentation but not lighten your skin as some products do. It works for most skin types without destabilizing the balance due to its carefully selected ingredients.

You should know that this natural skin-enhancing soap will not make your skin a few shades lighter as you continue using it; instead, it allows your skin to take a rather natural route towards lightening.

According to a research survey, 45% of people admitted being “very satisfied” and 40% reported being “somewhat satisfied” with the using of black soap for reducing the appearance of dark spots on their skin. This was conducted by Dermatologist Dr. Lin while at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Drs. Nabatian and Halverstam were also with Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Division of Dermatology in New York.

If you intend to use black soap for lightening dark spots and areas on your body, you can combine it with other natural skin lightening products for enhanced results.

If you don't need to lighten affected parts of your body, we encourage you to learn to love your natural skin tone.

How to make a mask with African black soap

You can use this for your underarms, thighs and other parts of your body that are discoloured from friction or skin inflammation.

• Dissolve little chunks of the soap in hot water.

• Add a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of honey, and 5 drops of tea tree essential oil.

• Properly mix it and allow it to cool down. Apply it to your face and desired areas. Leave to dry

• Subtly massage your face then wash the mask off with water.

• Wipe your area with a clean towel and apply shea butter or preferred oil to restore moisture.

Alternatively, you can make a shower gel out of our organic African black soap for frequent use.

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African black soap (also called African soap or black soap) is the latest skin care product to reach “holy grail” status, and for good reason.

Touted as a solution for breakouts, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and everything in between, black soap is the ultimate beauty buy for those on a budget. A one-size-fits-all approach to flawless skin? Sign us up!

And unlike the synthetic soaps you find at the drugstore, authentic black soap is handmade from plant-based ingredients in Africa.

If possible, buy fair-trade black soap. Each fair-trade purchase supports sustainable production, and, in some cases, it directly benefits communities in need.

Still not convinced? Read on to learn more about this skincare favorite and how you can add it to your routine.

Natural antibacterial properties make African black soap an excellent alternative to chemical-laden cleansers.

In fact, it may actually remove more bacteria than chemical cleansers do. Despite its strength, black soap is gentle enough to use on your:

• face
• hands
• body

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you likely already know that scented soaps and lotions are off-limits. African black soap is naturally fragrance-free — just make sure your chosen product is labeled “unscented.”

People with oily or combination skin are also in the clear! Black soap can help balance your skin’s natural oil production without stripping necessary oils or adding excess oil to your skin.

Shea butter is a crucial ingredient in black soap. While shea can help relieve itchiness and soothe dry skin, cocoa and coconut oil add moisture.

If you have combination skin, black soap makes choosing the right soap that much easier. Shea may add moisture, but coconut oil may help prevent overactive oil glands.

African black soap may also soothe itchiness and irritation caused by:

• eczema
• contact dermatitis
• skin allergies

It may even help clear rashes related to eczema and psoriasis. To maximize these benefits, find a soap with oatmeal added.

On that note, black soap may also help fight acne.

In addition to balancing your skin’s natural oils, the soap’s shea content may help repair damaged cells.

Its antimicrobial properties may even clear severe acne caused by Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.

Shea butter and coconut oil may help reduce collagen loss and encourage new development.

In turn, this can help plump up fine lines and wrinkles. The rough texture of the soap can also exfoliate dead skin cells that make fine lines more noticeable.

African black soap is chock-full of natural ingredients, but part of its benefits come from its form.

When left unprocessed, the raw ingredients that make up black soap leave the product far less smooth than the average drugstore soap bar. This makes it a natural exfoliant, which may help improve skin texture.

Exfoliation is another key factor in keeping your skin smooth after:

• shaving
• waxing
• other methods of hair removal

Exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells before they can clog your hair follicles. The moisture in African black soap may also help prevent the lumps and bumps that result from razor burn.

Hyperpigmentation is often caused by acne scarring and sun damage — two things that African black soap may help soothe or prevent.

The benefits of African black soap lie in its ingredients, which includes a combination of:

• cocoa pods
• coconut oil
• palm tree leaf derivatives, including palm kernel oil and palm oil
• plantain bark, which contains iron, as well as vitamins A and E
• shea butter

Keep in mind that the ingredient makeup of black soap largely varies based on the region of Africa where it’s made. For example, plantains are found in Central and Western Africa, but not in Eastern Africa.

You may also find black soap with added essential oils, such as eucalyptus, to promote relaxation. Some African black soap bars contain added oatmeal or aloe vera.

Real, unprocessed African black soap has a rough texture. Although the natural texture is ideal for removing dead skin during exfoliation, you’ll want to smooth it out before using it as a regular cleanser.

To do this, simply pull a small chunk of soap off of the bar and rub in between your hands. If you prefer a liquid cleanser, you can dissolve your piece of soap in water before use.

You can apply the bar directly to your skin if you’re looking for exfoliation, but be gentle!

The rough texture is already an exfoliant in itself, so you don’t have to scrub. You may also consider rubbing the bar on a soft washcloth first for gentle cleansing or use on rashes.

With whatever method you choose, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the soap off with lukewarm water after use.

Afterward, apply your favorite moisturizer to your damp skin. This will help lock in the soap’s natural hydrating effects.

Although African black soap can work well for all skin types, using it correctly is key to preventing unnecessary side effects.

Some people find black soap to be drying. You may be able to reduce your risk for this by adding a teaspoon of raw honey to your soap mixture.

To do this:

1. Gently break a piece of the soap bar off and drop it in a small mixing bowl.
2. Use a spoon or fork to break the soap down into smaller pieces.
3. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey to the bowl.
4. Mix the honey and soap together to create a black soap paste. You can add more honey as needed.

If you’re new to raw black soap, consider using it once every couple of days to start. You can gradually increase your use as your skin gets used to the soap.

It’s possible to be allergic to any soap. If your skin becomes irritated or you develop a rash, discontinue use.

Natural black soap is also rough, so it can irritate or even break your skin if you’re not careful. Stinging and burning are also possible.

If you’re using a raw block of soap, use gentle, circular motions as you glide it along your skin.

The best way to prevent skin breakage is to smooth out the soap and combine it with water, or use it with a washcloth.

African black soap is packed with essential nutrients designed to enhance your skin’s natural complexion and help you glow from the inside out. For maximum results, work your way up to using the soap morning and night.

If you begin experiencing any unusual rashes or irritation, discontinue use and see your doctor or dermatologist.

They can help determine what’s causing your symptoms and whether you should permanently stop using black soap.