Do you know that you can use black soap for skin glow? It is possible, but there are things you need to know and do for it to work for you.
The “traditional” African black soap” contains compounds that come from alkali from agricultural waste.
Also, black soap contains oil extracted from vegetable matter without the addition of cosmetic enhancing products (1).
In West Africa, Nigeria and Ghana are leading countries when it comes to production of black soap.
Basically, the component of the African black soap could differ, depending on the materials for its production.
These determine whether you can use the black soap for skin glow or not.
How able the soap is to make your skin glow also depends on the compounds that are in it.
Some use plantain peel and a few other plant compounds like coconut peel, palm nuts bunch, cocoa pod and more.
These materials go through a burning process that yields the ash for black soap production.
Furthermore, the black soap is gentle, super fatted and hypoallergenic. This is because of the compounds in the soap.
A study says black soap is antimicrobial, anti‐acne, exfoliating and could aid skin toning and scar fading.
Also, it concludes that black soap has medicinal properties (2).
Composition Of Africa Black Soap
From observation, the materials for making black soap comes from ash of the different agricultural waste.
This ash comes from burning the waste materials.
Afterwards, the ash is poured in a bowl with water added to allow infusion. Then a filtration process is used to take out the water, leaving out the ash.
This water is then boiled and as it dries up, the base oil for the production is added.
Again, the oil adds to the potency of the black soap for skin glow. As a result the oil you use is important.
For instance, one of the oils popularly used in Nigeria and Ghana is palm kernel oil.
A study says palm kernel oil is a vegetable oil from palm nuts. It is widely used in neonatal settings for skin care (3).
It could come in dark colour or just like your regular vegetable oil. The colour depends on the processing.
According to the study, palm kernel oil is a good emollient with a beneficial effect in moisturising the skin and preventing transdermal heat and water loss.
Other Related Articles For Amazing Skin
- Apple For Skin Care? Why It Is Becoming A Trend
- Vitamin C Is Higher In Some Of These Foods Than Orange
- 3 Reasons Orange Peel Helps In Skin Lightening
- DIY Natural Body Scrub Recipes For Skin Glow
- 7 Common Natural Anti-Ageing Solutions For Your Skin
Researchers found that this oil has emollient and moisturising properties. This compounds are necessary for softening the skin and restoring elasticity.
Furthermore, a study found that black soap contains saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids.
According to studies, flavonoids are used in common cosmetics primarily for antioxidant and soothing actions (4).
Also, terpenoids have anti-inflammatory, detoxifying effects and and can help control sebum levels in the skin.
There phytochemical components and other added materials, further facilitate its activities against some bacteria (5).
DIY Black Soap For Skin Glow
You see, using black soap the way it comes without adding other materials is not likely to give you the glow you seek.
You will have to add honey, orange peel, lemon oil, turmeric, neem, camwood, sandalwood.
These compounds have phytochemicals that make them give you that skin glow that you desire.
The quantity of these materials that you add depends on the size of the quantity of the black soap.
Basically, the more you add them, the higher the effect they will give. Studies show that the enhance the effect black soap give to your skin (6).
These items are effective, but you should always remember that natural materials do not give you that instance skin glow.
Natural compounds give you slow and steady effect until you get the result.
Interestingly, no much adverse effect would occur if you use black soap for skin glow.
However, if you add the other components excessively, it could result in skin issues.
In all, black soap is amazing for every skin type.
A good black soap can help fight bacteria better than chemical cleansers.
It moisturises, does not make skin oily and it takes care of irritation and skin issues. It is anti-inflammatory and fights acne.
Also, because of the presence of palm kernel oil it helps in reducing fine lines and improving the skin texture of your baby.
You see, black soap is really great for your skin, but to get the glow you want, you need to boost its potency with other natural materials.
HERE IS HOW WE MAKE OUR BLACK SOAP FOR NEW BORN
