Having smaller bars of soap is also easier to work with, especially when your hands are wet.
In addition, some people experience a burning or stinging sensation when they apply black soap directly to their skin. Lathering up a small amount first can help prevent this from happening.
You only want to create enough lather to create a light layer on your skin. Too much lather can be drying. If you like, you can use a washcloth or a loofah to lather up the soap.
Since black soap can be drying, it’s best to use it about 2-3 times a week. Use a gentle moisturizing cleanser formulated for your skin type on the other days.
Look for a toner made from soothing ingredients like witch hazel or rosewater, as opposed to alcohol, which can be very drying.
If you’re washing your face with the black soap, use a moisturizer specifically designed for use on your face. The skin on the rest of your body is thicker, so body lotion tends to be much too heavy for use on your face.
Sometimes black soap will develop a white film. This is normal and doesn’t affect the quality of the soap.
The measurement doesn’t have to be exact. Just use the initial weight of your black soap to estimate what 1 oz (28 g) would look like. For instance, if you buy a 4 oz (110 g) block of soap, you would use approximately a quarter of it.
Having a lid that seals tightly will allow you to swirl or shake the shampoo once you add in the oils.
If you want a thinner shampoo, use a little more water, or use less water if you’d prefer a thicker shampoo. Always use caution when microwaving water, and stop the microwave before the water boils. If it gets too hot, it could explode. Check your microwave’s instruction manual to find out how long you can safely microwave liquids if you’re not sure. [9] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
If you notice that the water is completely cooled and the soap has not melted, place the mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir it again.
If you use coconut oil or shea butter, just scoop out the amount you need and microwave it to melt the oil before adding it to your base. This shampoo is endlessly customizable. If you’re not sure which oils you want to use, try reducing the recipe and make several small portions with different combinations to see what you like the best.
In addition to smelling amazing, many essential oils can help improve the health of your hair. For instance, rosemary oil is thought to stimulate hair growth and increase circulation. [10] X Research source Lavender essential oil helps keep your hair shiny and controls dandruff. Peppermint oil helps to promote hair growth. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Avoid using citrus essential oils in your hair, as they can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. This can lead to a nasty sunburn on your scalp if you spend time outdoors. [12] X Research source
If you used shea butter or coconut oil, you may need to microwave your shampoo to thin it out before you use it. African black soap doesn’t expire, but some essential oils do have a shelf life, which may affect the life of your shampoo.
Since some settling can occur, you might want to shake or stir the shampoo before you use it. This shampoo is very effective at removing dirt and oils from your scalp. As with most clarifying shampoos, it’s best to limit its use to every 2-3 washes.
Since some settling can occur, you might want to shake or stir the shampoo before you use it. This shampoo is very effective at removing dirt and oils from your scalp. As with most clarifying shampoos, it’s best to limit its use to every 2-3 washes.
Since African black soap can be alkaline, you may want to rinse your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar to help balance out your hair’s pH before you condition it. However, if you don’t have apple cider vinegar, or you don’t like using it, this isn’t necessary.
Almost all commercial conditioners contain detanglers.
