African Black soap, made for thousands of years all over Africa, is full of vitamins and emollients perfect for cleansing deeply, exfoilating gently, and moisturizing throroughly. Made from the burnt leaves of palm trees and other native plants, depending on the locale, and rich skin-loving oils, such as, shea butter and coconut oil, authentic African Black soap is a wonderful addition to your beauty regime.
Ose DuDu
Unlike cold-processed soaps, authentic African Black soap, or Ose DuDu, pronounced (doudoun), literally means: Soap (ose) Black (dudu). It is made in a kettle over an open fire and retains the ashes from the burnt leaves, which add a super-fine exfoliating quality to the soap and the deep black and brown variations in color.
Remember to buy the authentic thing! Imitation black soap manufactured outside of Africa usually have added dyes; the real African-crafted soaps, do not! Check out Eclectic Lady on-line for a selection of African Black soap choices.
Multiple Uses
African Black soap is gentle enough for the tiniest babies. It has a natural, light, nutty aroma of deep cleaness. Ose DuDu is hypoallergenic, so it is a great choice for those with tempermental skin or those prone to rashes. Also, African women and women around the world swear by African Black soap, reporting healthful qualities that clear and rejuvanate complexions of all kinds.
Another great use for African Black soap is for hair care. The extra-conditioning of this glycerin-rich soap makes it perfect as a shampoo bar, leaving the hair very soft and light feeling. The gentle, natural, moisturizing clean can even add waves and curls for some consumers.
Only Drawback
The only drawback of African Black soap is the flip side of its moisturizing benefits. It possesses such a high degree of glycerin, it must be kept dry and covered in a small container inbetween uses. This is a small habit to develop, considering the excellent value and quality of such a simple soap.
Sometimes, if left in the open, like glycerin soap, a white film will appear on the surface. This is a result of the African Black soap naturally reacting to moisture in the air; it is safe to use anyways, but Black African soap will keep better dry and covered.
Fair Trade, Great Buy
African Black soap is often made today, as it has been for thousands of years, in various African countries by women working for themselves in Fair Trade business co-ops, where they are paid fairly for their work and enabled to build-up their communities. Double-check that the brand you purchase is actually Fair Trade. It is a wonderful way to support local economies in struggling countries.
Pamela Palmer - Pamela Palmer is a "Green" blogger and freelance writer, teacher, wife of a very patient man and mother of two energetic, young adults. ...
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