I had been wanting to get away from body wash for a while. I feel like they take up a lot of space, they are usually water based which means you're paying a lot for water, and I don't like the fact that so much packaging is required.
I had bought some oatmeal soap and some Dead Sea Mud soap from Aspen Kay but also wanted to try some from Shea Moisture. They were a bit more affordable and I knew more about the company and had already had a handful of products from them.
About Shea Moisture: On my page about Shea Moisture, you can read more about their company and read my product reviews. I have reviewed other companies and their products as well and you can find those on my complete list.
YouTube: Watch my review and be sure to subscribe to my channel!
I got this for free!: This was in my Christmas stocking.
Disclaimer: Per FTC regulations, I am disclosing that I use affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the links. It is a way to support my blog at no additional cost to you. You can read more here.
I had heard rave reviews about African Black Soap and how it is this miracle cure for soft skin and can help with acne. This soap popped up at my local store. They don't really have a lot of clean beauty products, after quickly looking over the ingredients, I snapped this up. Wren I get soaps, I usually let them sit for a couple weeks to cure even longer. I have no idea how long it had been cured and usually the longer it cures, the longer it will last, meaning I save money.
Since I don't have a lot of space in my shower, I cut off a piece of the soap to use and put the rest away. This also helps the bar last longer since it's not exposed to water.
African Black Soap Base, African Shea Butter♥, Oats, Aloe, Plantain Extract, Vitamin E, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Glycerin (Vegetable), Palm Ash, Rosemary Extract, Iron Oxides.
*Certified Organic Ingredient. ♥Fair Trade Ingredient.
Like the coconut and hibiscus soap, this looks pretty good until you start reading into the label a bit more. Some of the ingredients are organic and some are fair trade, which is fantastic. I can recognise what most of them are as well.
But let's take a look at the first ingredient, African Black Soap Base. What exactly is that? It's kind of cheating. A base is a product that you can use by itself or add ingredients to it. It's a short-cut that people can take. The problem is that we don't know what's in that base and that is the main ingredient in this soap.
The second ingredient that I have a problem with (and a lot of Shea Moisture products have this) is the essential oil blend. First off, let's start with the fact that not everyone should be using all essential oils. Some are not safe for kids, pregnant women, or people with specific medical issues. I understand that scent is proprietary, however, I believe that safety takes presidence and companies ought to disclose exactly which essential oils, absolutes, CO2, or isolates they use since some people can be severely affected by them.
Third is the last ingredient, Iron Oxides. Most people agree they are safe, however, some people say that if a natural form of them are used, they can contain traces of heavy metals and that's why most companies use a synthetic form. You can read more about it here. I believe that they used something to make the soap black since contrary to fact, African soap should be brown and chunky. Not black and smooth.
That brings me to my last point. I feel like this is false advertising. This is not true African Black Soap. Real African Black Soap is brown and chunky. You need to knead it in your hands and form a ball to make sure none of the jagged edges scratch you. You also should not apply it directly onto your skin. Instead, lather it between your hands and then wash your face and body. You can find out more here.
If you're looking for real African Black Soap, Dudu-Osun and Wonderfully Natural are popular brands. You can watch a comparison between Shea Moisture's and Dudu-Osun.
Organic is no longer on the front of the soap.
Now it says Severely Dry Skin but before it said
I had bought some oatmeal soap and some Dead Sea Mud soap from Aspen Kay but also wanted to try some from Shea Moisture. They were a bit more affordable and I knew more about the company and had already had a handful of products from them.
About Shea Moisture: On my page about Shea Moisture, you can read more about their company and read my product reviews. I have reviewed other companies and their products as well and you can find those on my complete list.
YouTube: Watch my review and be sure to subscribe to my channel!
I got this for free!: This was in my Christmas stocking.
Disclaimer: Per FTC regulations, I am disclosing that I use affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the links. It is a way to support my blog at no additional cost to you. You can read more here.
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| buy it here |
I had heard rave reviews about African Black Soap and how it is this miracle cure for soft skin and can help with acne. This soap popped up at my local store. They don't really have a lot of clean beauty products, after quickly looking over the ingredients, I snapped this up. Wren I get soaps, I usually let them sit for a couple weeks to cure even longer. I have no idea how long it had been cured and usually the longer it cures, the longer it will last, meaning I save money.
Since I don't have a lot of space in my shower, I cut off a piece of the soap to use and put the rest away. This also helps the bar last longer since it's not exposed to water.
Ingredients
This is what's listed on the package.African Black Soap Base, African Shea Butter♥, Oats, Aloe, Plantain Extract, Vitamin E, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Glycerin (Vegetable), Palm Ash, Rosemary Extract, Iron Oxides.
*Certified Organic Ingredient. ♥Fair Trade Ingredient.
Like the coconut and hibiscus soap, this looks pretty good until you start reading into the label a bit more. Some of the ingredients are organic and some are fair trade, which is fantastic. I can recognise what most of them are as well.
But let's take a look at the first ingredient, African Black Soap Base. What exactly is that? It's kind of cheating. A base is a product that you can use by itself or add ingredients to it. It's a short-cut that people can take. The problem is that we don't know what's in that base and that is the main ingredient in this soap.
The second ingredient that I have a problem with (and a lot of Shea Moisture products have this) is the essential oil blend. First off, let's start with the fact that not everyone should be using all essential oils. Some are not safe for kids, pregnant women, or people with specific medical issues. I understand that scent is proprietary, however, I believe that safety takes presidence and companies ought to disclose exactly which essential oils, absolutes, CO2, or isolates they use since some people can be severely affected by them.
Third is the last ingredient, Iron Oxides. Most people agree they are safe, however, some people say that if a natural form of them are used, they can contain traces of heavy metals and that's why most companies use a synthetic form. You can read more about it here. I believe that they used something to make the soap black since contrary to fact, African soap should be brown and chunky. Not black and smooth.
That brings me to my last point. I feel like this is false advertising. This is not true African Black Soap. Real African Black Soap is brown and chunky. You need to knead it in your hands and form a ball to make sure none of the jagged edges scratch you. You also should not apply it directly onto your skin. Instead, lather it between your hands and then wash your face and body. You can find out more here.
If you're looking for real African Black Soap, Dudu-Osun and Wonderfully Natural are popular brands. You can watch a comparison between Shea Moisture's and Dudu-Osun.
Smell and Texture
This has a bit of a perfume scent to be but it's not very overpowering. This soap is not as creamy as the coconut and hibiscus soap. This soap gets cracked in it when it dries and develops a bit of a white coating on it. The lather is black but looks very fake and dyed to me.
Size, Price, and Packaging
The wording on the packaging has changed a lot. If you take a look at Amazon you can see what I'm talking about.Organic is no longer on the front of the soap.
Now it says Severely Dry Skin but before it said
- Acne-Prone Face & Body Bar
- Troubled Skin
Would I Get This Again?
No.
First of all, this is not real African Black Soap if you take a look at the ingredients. I really feel like they tried to trick people with the marketing. Lastly, I don't like the plastic packaging. I know that
everyone is different though. This is a very affordable natural soap.
If you think it would be something that you would like to try, you can buy it here.
Random Thoughts
Patch test before using.
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