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African Black Soap: How it started
By Kojo Gyabaah
Societal norms and science expect regular shaving, moisturising, showering, shampooing, and washing clothes to stay clean and smell fresh. Have you ever pondered how Africans cleaned themselves before the advent of Western antiseptic agents? African Black Soap (ABS) is a renowned traditional soap saponified chiefly in West Africa and noted for its ability to nourish skin naturally. ABS is medicinal, containing antioxidants, vitamins, Allantoin, iron and lauric acid. These essentials help with tissue structure, healing, retain moisturize, improving texture, tone, and elasticity, stimulating collagen production and the growth of new skin cells to provide amazing therapeutic relief. As an adaptogenic product, it has the unique ability to balance and tone different types of skin by keeping your skin refreshed and silky smooth. This article highlights its origin, manufacturing process, uses, patronage and promotion.Â
“ABS is medicinal containing antioxidants, vitamins, Allantoin, iron and lauric acid agents. These essentials help with tissue structure, healing, retain moisturize, improve texture, tone, elasticity, stimulate collagen production and growth of new skin cells to provide amazing therapeutic relief.”
ORIGIN OF AFRICAN BLACK SOAP
Observing hygiene is important to prevent sanitary infections, which contribute to 88 per cent of deaths from diarrheal diseases. Washing the body regularly is important to avoid skin infections since the body is easily infected with worms found in human and animal faeces and urine, in surface water, defecation areas, soil, and shoes. This depletes its nutrients. Washing with water and soap is the best way to stay hygienic. Where soap is not available, a substitute, such as ash and water, is recommended. It varies in colour depending on the ingredients used and the method of preparation, but it is never actually pure black. The name simply connotes its African-ness.
SAPONIFICATION
There are two main types of ABS, namely laundry and bathing soaps. When it comes to black soap, most say that the fewer ingredients, the better. Black soap is made from local materials available. There are two basic ingredients, namely soda and oil. The soda is distilled from ashes of either sun-dry cocoa pod or plantain finger skins. The length and heat for roasting must be constant to achieve perfect colour, texture and smell. Plantain skins and leaves hold a high concentration of iron and vitamins A and E. Cacao has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Oils come from oil palm, kernels, coconut and shea butter, depending on what is available. The choice of soda and oil is mixed, stirred and heated at a regular temperature for hours, often overnight till the desired effect is achieved. Raw soap is allowed to cool and then moulded into forms, which is rarely smooth or uniform in shape, colour, weight and size due to the absence of artificial fragrance, colouring, preservatives and uniform design.Â
USES
ABS can be used for bathing, washing and laundry. ABS is used as a body and skin cleaning agent to remove germs and refresh the body after contact with environmental toxins. ABS is used as an antiseptic on food utensils, preparation surfaces and washcloths to keep them clean and kill germs that cause illness.In many rural areas where there is a lack of treated water, it is the soap of choice as it lathers efficiently and effectively in hard water. ABS also has anti-fungal, antibacterial and ant-septic properties, which make it good for cleansing and detoxifying the skin. It is one of the best treatments for skin diseases. ABS works exceptionally well in both the bath and laundry as it increases the blood flow to the skin and removes toxins from the body. It makes you more beautiful and boosts your self-confidence.
BENEFITS
ABS is invigorating and stimulating. It is a powerful product containing deep cleansing anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help to significantly increase treatment of more dermatoses such as psoriasis, eczema, dry patches, rashes, dermatitis, freckles, dark spots, and fine lines. Its Vitamin A and E, non-comedogenic and anti-microbial properties are great for clearing up oily skin by stopping acne from forming, removing acne scars, helping promote cell renewal, reducing cell damage caused by environmental toxins, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and ageing as well as soothing sensitive skin. Among a myriad of skincare benefits derived from ABS include alleviating razor bumps, provide exfoliating on dead skin cells, helping reduce inflammation, fades skin discolourations, firms and tones skin, and improves skin texture for more supple and glowing skin.
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