I love black soap, and even before it had posh packaging I loved testing out different brands. African black soap originates in West Africa and is typically made from the ash of locally harvested African plants. This ash gives the soap its characteristic dark colour. The most popular black soaps are made in Ghana and Nigerian using traditional recipes.
Black soap has some antimicrobial properties and controls oil production making it a great option for people with acne. It also evens outs and fades dark spots caused by acne. It helps improves and firms skin tone making it more supple giving it a glow. The antioxidants in black soap protect the skin from photo-ageing which can cause premature skin ageing, wrinkles and facial lines.
Because of its deep cleansing action, black soap is exfoliating and removes dead skin cells. This helps improves fine lines and texture of rough skin.
Appearance and packaging
The black soap comes in 3 different size variations. However, I bought the largest size tub which is 700 grams which is absolutely huge! The product comes in a regular container with a white screw-on lid and is sealed with cellophane. Which means you can be sure it has not been tampered with. I also bought the variation for sensitive skin( I will talk about why in a moment).
The soap looks like typical black soap, with a deep brown colour and a pudding-like consistency ( like cooked quaker oats).
How to use
To use, I scope a little of the black soap from the container, place on my loofah sponge and lather. Boy does it lather, so a little goes a long way. The soap is gentle enough to be used on both your face and your body with no issues.
Pros
- It is extremely affordable when you consider the size
- Formulated for sensitive skin and is preservative, egg & coconut oil-free which means it has no possible triggers for allergic reaction
- The turmeric included makes it great for hyperpigmentation
Cons
- The size may be a disadvantage if you travel a lot, but it also comes in a smaller jar and minibars
Who is it for
For people with sensitive skin
Cost
- 700 grams is N5775
- 350g is N3675
It is available in two sizes from Fig health store or their Instagram page a the prices above. However, the price from a reseller the price can vary widely and I paid N7000 for my first 700 gram jar from a reseller
Rating
Performance 5/5
This soap knocks it out of the park when it comes to how. Following the consistent performance, it performs it reduces acne and hyperpigmentation. In addition, it lathers like crazy which means that you need a small amount for your whole body.
Quality 5/5
This product is of extremely high quality. Because it is formulated without preservatives and allergens so works well for all skin types particularly sensitive skin. I used another black soap which caused a massive allergic skin reaction so I appreciate a soap which doesn’t cause any flare-ups on my skin.
Value for money 5/5
This product is excellent value for money, especially when compared with similar products in the market.
Ease of use 4.5/5
Its soap, so quite easy to use, however the size of the jar takes some getting used to
Overall rating 5/5
This is a solid 5/5 for me, having experienced an allergic reaction which was traumatic. Using a black soap that did not cause any issues was a godsend. In addition, its ability to clear my skin and reduce some of my pigmentations makes it a clear favourite. Finally, for anyone on a budget, this soap will last you at least 2-2.5 months of regular use and you can’t beat that.
Where to buy
Online from the Fig Health store Instagram page or some of their resellers
Alternatives
So what do you think? do you have any recommendations for any other black soaps?
PS: I released an ebook called SKIN101 for beginners which you can buy here
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All product pictures are from the @fighealthstore Instagram page
