African Black Soap

A little History:

African black soap (ose dudu) originated with the Yoruba people in Nigeria and the Yoruba communities in Benin and Togo. The Yoruba words ose (soap) and dudu (black) literally translates to the black soap. It is also called anago samina in Ghana. (Anago is the name of a Yoruba sub-group in what is now Republic of Benin). Samina means soap in the Twi dialect of the Akan language.

Another name for the soap is alata samina which is used throughout Ghana. Alata means spicy in Yoruba. It is believed that Yoruba traders, specifically women traders, who sold tomatoes and peppers, introduced black soap to Ghana. These women were called Alatas (pepper traders) and alata samina was a term coined by the Ghanaians that meant the pepper traders’ soap.

Yoruba women had an important and unique role in agriculture in pre-colonial Yorubaland. They were responsible for processing raw farm produce into finished goods for trading. This included harvesting produce from trees and they also tended to the gardens where vegetables and fruits, such as peppers, were grown. They were also responsible for selling produce as well as black soap. Source: https://www.byrdie.com/african-black-soap-2442627

• Known for fading skin discolorations and evening out skin tone.
• 100% pure and handmade with Unrefined Shea butter
• Helps treat and heal symptoms of Eczema, Psoriasis and acne, contains pure African Shea Butter
• Helps with reducing acne (especially in combination with African Shea Butter)
• Amazing Natural cleanser for the body
• Contains iron, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E to promote a healthy skin and hair
• Great for all skin types (including dry, rough and sensitive skin
• Can help in the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy
• Can help reduce skin razor irritation and bumps after shaving

Traditional black soap is typically a mixture of water and the ashes of plantain skins, cocoa pod powder, and palm oil. Other recipe blends can include the ashes of palm leaves or shea tree bark, and a combination of palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, or tropical honey.