Skip to navigation
Skip to main content 
Blog
African Black Soap: Benefits, How to Use It and Side Effects
African black soap is a traditional West African soap made from plant ash and oils. It is a strong, deep cleanser that suits oily and congested skin. It is naturally alkaline, so it can feel drying. Use it once a day at first, always follow with moisturiser, and wear sunscreen in the day. It does not bleach skin, and it is not a medical treatment for acne or eczema.
Recommended for this guide
Authentic African Black Soap 100g – Brightens Skin Tone & Fades Dark Marks
Raw, authentic African black soap from Ghana, our best seller for clearer, brighter-looking skin.
What is African black soap?
Traditional black soap comes from Ghana, Nigeria and neighbouring countries, where it is often made by women’s cooperatives. Plantain skins, cocoa pods or palm leaves are roasted into ash, then cooked with oils such as palm kernel, coconut and shea butter. The ash gives the soap its brown colour and soft, crumbly texture. Each batch looks a little different, which is normal for a handmade soap.
You will find it in three main forms: the traditional bar, a smooth paste, and liquid washes. Our bar vs paste guide explains which suits you.
Shop authentic African black soap
Free delivery on orders over R600. FREE Black Soap Paste on orders over R999.
What African black soap does for your skin
- Deep cleans: lifts oil, sweat, dirt and sunscreen, which is why people with oily skin like it.
- Leaves skin feeling fresh: many users report less shine during the day.
- Light exfoliation: the ash texture gently polishes, but it can scratch if you rub the bar directly on your face.
- Helps a dark-mark routine: clean skin is a good base for vitamin C and sunscreen, which do the work on marks.
What the research says: black soap has been studied in labs, but there is very little clinical research on people. A survey of black soap users found most used it for acne and were happy with it, but a survey is not proof. Lab tests found traditional black soap has a pH of about 8.9 to 9.6, which is alkaline compared with skin’s natural slightly acidic pH. That is why it can feel tight or dry.
Shop the products in this guide
★ Bestseller
Authentic African Black Soap 100g – Brightens Skin Tone & Fades Dark Marks
★ Bestseller
Complete 4-Product African Black Soap + Vitamin C Face Renewal Routine – Clear, Even, Glowing Skin
Is African black soap good for acne and pimples?
It can be a good cleanser for oily, breakout-prone skin because it removes oil well. It is not an acne treatment. If your skin becomes red, tight or more irritated, use it less often, because irritation can lead to more dark marks. For persistent or painful acne, see a doctor or pharmacist.
Does African black soap remove dark spots?
Not on its own. Black soap cleans the skin; it does not contain proven pigment-fading ingredients unless something like vitamin C is added. To fade the look of dark marks, pair your cleanser with a Vitamin C Serum and daily SPF 30. Read more in our chubaba guide.
Does black soap lighten or whiten skin?
No. Real African black soap does not bleach your natural skin tone. Products sold as “whitening black soap” may contain other ingredients, so read the label and avoid anything with mercury or undeclared hydroquinone.
How to use African black soap on your face
- Wet your face with lukewarm water.
- Rub the bar between wet hands (or take a pea-sized amount of paste) to make a lather. Do not rub the bar directly on your face.
- Massage gently for 30 seconds, avoiding the eyes.
- Rinse well and pat dry.
- Apply serum and moisturiser straight away.
- In the morning, finish with sunscreen.
How often? Start once a day, in the evening. If your skin feels comfortable after two weeks, you can use it twice a day.
Which skin types suit black soap?
- Oily and combination skin: usually the best fit.
- Normal skin: fine once a day with a good moisturiser.
- Dry or sensitive skin: use only a few times a week, or choose a gentler cleanser like our Vitamin C Foaming Cleanser.
- Eczema-prone skin: alkaline soaps can dry eczema-prone skin. Ask your doctor first.
Side effects and how to avoid them
- Dryness or tightness: use less often and moisturise straight after.
- Stinging or redness: stop and patch test again on the inner arm.
- Small scratches: from rubbing the bar on the skin. Lather in your hands instead.
- Breakouts in the first weeks: if they do not settle within two to three weeks, stop.
Patch test: apply a little lather to your inner arm, rinse, and wait 24 hours before using it on your face.
How to tell if black soap is authentic
- Colour is brown to dark brown, often uneven, not jet black and shiny.
- Texture is soft and slightly crumbly, not a hard, smooth commercial bar.
- The label lists plant ash (such as cocoa pod or plantain ash) and natural oils.
- It softens if left in water. Keep it on a draining soap dish.
Where to buy African black soap in South Africa
You can buy our Authentic African Black Soap 100g (R99) and African Black Soap Paste with Vitamin C 125ml (R190) online with delivery across South Africa, or on Takealot. Want a full routine? The Black Soap Paste Skincare Set adds a vitamin C serum and moisturiser. Buying for a business? See our bulk black soap from 1kg.
African black soap FAQs
Can I use African black soap every day?
Yes, if your skin is comfortable. Start once a day and always moisturise afterwards.
Can I use black soap on my body and hair?
Yes on the body. On hair it can be drying, so follow with conditioner, and use it only occasionally.
Why is my black soap soft or a different colour?
Handmade soap varies between batches and absorbs water. Store it dry to keep it firm.
How long does a 100g bar last?
Used on the face twice a day, about four to six weeks.
Can I use black soap with vitamin C?
Yes. Cleanse with black soap, then apply vitamin C serum to dry skin.
Written by the Black African Organics team. General skincare information, not medical advice.
Sources
- Ikotun et al. (2017), pH and composition of African black soap
- LearnSkin summary of a survey of black soap users
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, review of over-the-counter natural products
Shop authentic African black soap
Free delivery on orders over R600. FREE Black Soap Paste on orders over R999.
Shop the routine
★ Bestseller
Authentic African Black Soap 100g – Brightens Skin Tone & Fades Dark Marks
★ Bestseller
Complete 4-Product African Black Soap + Vitamin C Face Renewal Routine – Clear, Even, Glowing Skin
African Black Soap Paste with Vitamin C – 125ml
Dark spots. Blemishes. Acne marks. Oily skin. Dull complexion? Start with a deeper clean.
Black African Organics African Black Soap Paste with Vitamin C deeply cleanses while helping reveal brighter, smoother and more even-looking skin.
✓ Helps improve dark spots & acne marks
✓ Targets blemishes & clogged pores
✓ Removes excess oil & impurities
✓ Brightens dull-looking skin
✓ Helps improve uneven skin tone
✓ Vitamin C + Aloe Vera + Shea Butter + Vitamin E
✓ Face & Body | 125ml
Deep Clean. Brighten. Glow. ✨
Want the full routine? The Black Soap Paste Skincare Set adds a vitamin C serum and face cream (R369). Buying for a business? See the paste in 1L, 5L and 20L.
Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Face Serum | Infused with Melavoid & Squalene, Targeting Acne, Breakouts, & Pigmentation 30ml
✨ Key Benefits:
✔️ 🍊 Brightens skin & fades dark spots
✔️ 💥 Fights acne, pimples & breakouts
✔️ 💧 Deeply hydrates with Hyaluronic Acid
✔️ 🌱 Evens skin tone with Melavoid™
✔️ 🛡️ Strengthens skin barrier with Squalene
✔️ 👌 Lightweight, non-greasy & fast-absorbing
✔️ ✅ Perfect for all skin types — even sensitive
