Shea Butter!

Did you know that shea trees are only native to Africa? Attempts to cultivate shea trees in Europe and the U.S have been unsuccessful. It grows wild and seeds do not germinate easily, so a plantation type system does not work for shea. Also, at least twenty years will have gone by before a shea tree is able to produce large numbers of shea fruits/nuts. Shea trees do not need fertilizer, water or any type of pesticide treatment. There's a deep and intensive history behind shea butter; all the more reason to revere this perfect 'superfood' that only grows and thrives under the African sun!

African Black Soap-Part 2

African Black soap is actually a brown, soft, crumbly soap in it's raw form. In Ghana there are variations of the soap formulated for specific skin issues. 1) A super, black soap said to have been used with extra amounts of plaintain ash-which gives it the black color and lots of iron, vitamin A and E. This is seen as deep, medicinal soap. There's reverence for this soap amongst the people who use it. Like someone mentioned to me in Accra when getting samples of this soap.."If you use this soap, the devil won't touch you!". Hahahaha! 2) A super soft, brown soap made with extra palm oil for it's healing benefits. 3) A soap that gets it white color from the use of soda ash--a Ghanaian version of a salt bar! The salt makes it quite hard; bathing with this feels like bathing with a smooth rock. A natural, spa experience! When it comes down to it, it's all about personal preference. The mother Black soap is the most accessible and easiest to use.

African Black Soap

Today we're all about African Black soap! Also commonly known as Dudu Osun. However in Ghana, African Black soap is mostly referred to as Alaffia soap. Other names for this soap are Anago, Alata Simena or Ose Dudu. This is a soap like no other. Made by womens' groups in West Africa, recipes are top secret and specific to the group making the soap. Which is why you might have some slight variation between soap made in different regions or countries. West African women have been making it for centuries and completely from scratch, so it's quite a process to make it. As mentioned, there are slight variations in the soap depending on where it's from, but ingredients willl generally include plantain ash, cocoa pod ash, cocoa bark, palm oil and coconut oil. The result is a deep cleansing soap that heals beautifully. Though some use it specifically to clear acne scars, skin breakouts and to deal with any sensitive skin issues like psoriasis or eczema, it can also just be used as part of a regular skin regimen. Black soap is a strong exfoliator so it can be drying for some people. We recommend using it every other day or twice a week, if it should feel drying on your skin. Alternate with any shea butter based soap. Alaffia soap also works well as a shampoo. Some also use it to shave. An amazing soap full of Africa's goodness, made in Africa since the dawn of time.