News and Information

You may find that your handy reliable jar of shea butter has become gritty or grainy and wonder why has this happened? Has this shea gone bad? Is it still good to use? The quick short answer is the shea has not gone bad, it is still good and it's still good to use. Here's why it happens. Shea butter and other plant and dairy-based butters are able to stay solid as long as the surrounding temperature is not too warm or hot.  These butters have a melting point or melting temperature where the butter will melt and become a liquid oil.  Once it's become a liquid oil, it needs to be cooled down to re-solidify, preferably rapidly for best results. Shea butter has a melting point between 89 and 100 degrees.  Shea butter itself is made up of fatty acids that have their own separate melting points.  These fatty acids are:  Fatty Acid Composition of Shea Butter Melting Point oleic acid 40-60% 55 - 57°F stearic acid 20-50% 156 - 157°F linoleic acid 3-11% 23°F palmitic acid 2-9% 145°F linolenic acid <1% 12°F arachidic acid <1% -56°F lauric acid <1% 113°F   About 85 to 90% of the fatty acid composition is stearic and oleic acids. The relative proportion of these two fatty acids affects shea butter consistency. The stearic acid gives it a solid consistency, while the oleic acid influences how soft or hard the shea butter is, depending on ambient temperature. When shea butter melts, it becomes oil. It then needs to be chilled or refrigerated to allow it to become solid again. If it sets at room temperature instead, it can become crystallize or grainy.  This occurs as the fatty acids with lower melting points solidify faster than those with higher melting points. So gradually cooling the shea butter will result in the fatty acids reconstituting slower or not at all, which is how grains and crystals form.   To remedy this, use a refrigerator or other cool/cold environment.  Rapidly cooling the butter helps the fatty acids cool more uniformally and reconstitute faster to become a smooth butter. Once solid again, try to keep shea butter in a cool place for storage.  As a solid butter, shea butter stays solid at room temperature, so it's ok if it's not always refrigerated.  However if the room temperature is above 80-85 degrees, then it's too warm. Also to note, the shea butter is perfectly fine and usable in its grainy and gritty state. You don't have to worry about whether it's starting to turn or go bad.  It can be used normally.  I personally keep a jar of vanilla whipped shea butter in my car for all seasons.  In the winter time, it stays solid and cool to the touch when I apply it.  In the summer, depending on how warm or hot it's been, it might be a jar of oil or a jar of grainy shea.  I use it either way because I love the scent and I love not being ashy!

What is African Black Soap? African Black soap is a soap originating from West Africa that is made from the ashes of locally harvested plants, including plantain leaves, cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and shea tree bark. It has been used for ages for its healing and restorative properties.   What are the benefits and uses of black soap? It's antibacterial, an excellent alternative to chemical-laden cleansers. It's safe for all skin types It's moisturizing, due to its crucial ingredient, Shea butter It won't make your skin oily It helps soothe irritation, itchiness and irritation caused by eczema, contact dermatitis, and skin allergies. It may even help clear rashes related to eczema and psoriasis. To maximize these benefits, find a soap with oatmeal added. It's anti-inflammatory, beneficial for people who have inflammatory conditions like rosacea. It helps fight acne.  Its antimicrobial properties may even clear severe acne caused by Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. It may help reduce fine lines. Shea butter and coconut oil may help reduce collagen loss and encourage new development. In turn, this can help plump up fine lines and wrinkles. The rough texture of the soap can also exfoliate dead skin cells that make fine lines more noticeable. It helps protect against photoaging It helps improve skin texture due to the natural ingredients working as an skin exfoliant It helps prevent razor burn and related rashes It may help reduce hyperpigmentation, often caused by acne scarring and sun damage It may help minimize the appearance of scars and stretch marks It's antifungal. One study on the effects of African black soap found the product effective for seven types of fungus — this includes the common Candida albicans yeast. You can safely use African black soap to help treat conditions like toenail fungus and athlete's foot. Who is black soap meant for? Black soap is meant to be used by anyone and everyone, and can be used on all skin types. Why is it called African Black Soap? African Black Soap gets its name from the original translation of what it was called in Africa.  African black soap or ose dudu originated with the Yoruba people in Nigeria and the Yoruba communities in Benin and Togo. The Yoruba words ose (“soap”) and dudu (“black”) literally translates to “the black soap.” It is also called anago samina in Ghana.  (Anago is the name of a Yoruba sub-group in what is now Republic of Benin). Samina means, “soap” in the Twi dialect of the Akan language. What's the difference between black soap bars and raw black soap? Raw black soap looks like brownish chunks, and can be used like any other soap. It contains no extra ingredients except for the base ingredients of potash, shea butter, and natural oils such as palm kernel and coconut. Black soap bars contain the original ingredients plus additional ingredients that can have other beneficial properties. Does black soap exfoliate? The ash in the soap helps to naturally and gently exfoliate the skin, clearing clogged pores of excess oil, sebum and debris, without over drying. This is key, since drying the skin too much can actually trigger more oil and sebum production. The soap also helps to tone the skin and improve its texture over time. It helps to clear up old acne spots. Does Black Soap dry out your skin? For some individuals the raw black soap dries out the skin. Black soap bars that including moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and aloe vera will probably be better for dry skin types. If it’s drying out your skin, try using less. A little goes a long way and using too much soap will definitely be drying to already parched skin. If you have sensitive and/or dry skin start out by using it only once a day. Be sure to use a moisturizer, hydrating serum, or oil afterwards, especially if your skin tends to be dry, and during winter months when cold weather could further dry out the skin. Where Can I Get Black Soap? Get some African Black soap from here! 

Here are some tips for summertime skincare. Go Outside It's good to get some fresh air.  Between going to work, running errands, taking care of children and family, and general exhaustion from doing all of the above, it's easy to forget and miss out on beautiful weather outside.  Make an effort to get outside, get some fresh air and time in the sun. As a matter of fact, many people don't get enough sun. Vitamin D deficiency is a thing. Vitamin D is produced by the skin's response to UV radiation primarily through sun exposure, which affects 10 percent of the genes in the human body.  A healthy supply of vitamin D promotes bone growth and prevent illnesses such as breast and colon cancer, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, seasonal disorders, and depression. However, be mindful of the sun While you're outside getting some sun and fresh air, be mindful to get safe exposure to the sun and avoid overexposure.  Too much extended time in the sun can cause obvious things like sunburn, but over extended periods of time can have long-term affects on the body.  Overexposure to the sun contributes to the formation of wrinkles, dark spots, and reduced skin elasticity. Sunscreen has been recommended by scientists for daily use to protect against sunburn and skin cancer, but be mindful of the types of sunscreen, and their pros and cons. Mineral sunscreen Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the two main protective ingredients in mineral sunscreen and are often referred to as physical barriers.  They work by absorbing into the surface layers of the skin and deflecting or scattering the sun’s harmful rays. Mineral sunscreens are not as thin as chemical sunscreens, may leave a white film on the skin, and can be applied liberally. Mineral sunscreens are considered safer than chemical sunscreens, but they do have things to consider. Some use ingredients that contain nano particles which are used to lighten or lessen the white film on the skin after applying sunscreen.  These can be absorbed into the skin and carry risks.  Some brands use ingredients specially designed to not use nanoparticles and are safer to use. Chemical/synthetic sunscreen 30+ active protective ingredients, including oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone are used in chemical sunscreens.  They are also absorbed into the skin and deflect/scatter the sun's rays, but they also convert UV rays into heat and “deactivate” them. These sunscreens have a thinner consistency, they're sometimes water-resistant, sometimes can be applied in spray form, and don't turn milky-looking when you get wet or sweaty. One of the main cons of chemical sunscreens is the chemicals commonly used are endocrine disruptors, estrogenic and may interfere with thyroid and other hormone processes in the body.  The most common sunscreen chemical, Oxybenzone, was found in 96% of the population by a recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This is especially alarming since oxybenzone is considered an endocrine disruptor, can reduce sperm count in men and may contribute to endometriosis in women. Another thing to consider with sunscreen is that they hinder the production of Vitamin D in the skin, which misses one of the main benefits of the sun.  For this reason consider also the following. Shade and Protective Clothing The easiest and safest way to avoid sun damage is to stay in the shade, wear a hat or long sleeves. Long sleeves in the summer might sound weird, but there are clothes that use light, breathable, or airy material that are not as heavy to wear and let your skin get some air from the occasional breeze. Additionally use sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB sun rays. Stay Hydrated, Eat the Right Foods Eating the right foods can do just as much for you as what you put on the outside of your body.  Foods you should eat include healthy sources of saturated fats and monounsaturated fats (nuts, avocado), foods rich in omega-3s (fish, etc.), lots of leafy greens, fresh fruit, and water.  These foods provide the proper building blocks for healthy skin and reduce inflammation of the skin. Conversely, avoid excess sugar, processed foods, processed oils, fried foods, and processed grains.  Not only do they contain saturated or trans fats, they can increase inflammation in the body. And if you sweat a lot in the summer... If you sweat a lot in the summer like I do, African Black Soap is great for this time of year. It's extremely well suited for removing dirt from the skin and cleaning clogged pores.  The best thing is after you've finished washing and rinsing away the suds, your skin can breathe and you get a nice refreshed cooldown fee afterwards. Stay hydrated and stay cool this summer!

Shea Butter is a substance obtained from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to Africa.  It is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E, making it a very popular for skin care and hair care.  Shea butter is also edible, and used in food preparation in African countries, but it has a strong nutty flavor that makes it less desirable compared to other oils. So Why Whip the Shea? It is most often sold in plastic tubs, and is quite stiff when you try to get some out with your fingers.  You typically have to use some "elbow grease" to get it out, and then rub it around in your hands to warm it up and make it more malleable.  This can be time-consuming for people who want to use more than a little bit for their face, hair, hands, body, or anything else. Another thing some people do is heat up some water and partially submerge the plastic tub so that the butter can melt into an oil.  This is also time consuming for those who want it readily available for them. The third option is to mix it with other oils that are less dense, and also beneficial to skin, hair, and body. Mixing makes it easier to use and work with, but it can be taken a step further by using a utensil or hand mixer to "whip" air into it, making it fluffy, creamy, and easy to pick up and use. How to Whip Shea Butter So here is our recipe for whipped shea butter.  There are many different ways to do it, varying the ingredients to achieve the desired consistency.   We like a consistency that is not too loose, but also not too stiff.  To achieve that, we vary the ratio of butter to carrier oils.  The more butter used, the stiffer it will be, and vice versa, the lower the ratio of butter to oil, the looser the mixture will be. We have found that we like the ratio to be between 70%-80% butter to carrier oil. Wait, carrier oils? So what are carrier oils? They are defined as any oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant.  They are used to dilute other oils and cause them to stretch, or loosen, the main oils or butters that you are using. For our purpose, they help loosen the stiffness of shea butter. Carrier oils also give you the opportunity to enrich the mixture with more nutrients that will be beneficial to you. We like our whipped shea to be beneficial for hair as well as skin, so we include carriers that achieve this.  Read more about the carrier oils here. Give It a Pleasant Scent In addition to carrier oils, we use essential oils. An essential oil is an oil obtained from a plant by distillation. Oil obtained in this way contains the "essence" of the oil, hence the name.  These oils contain the nutrients and the scent of the plant from which they come.  The oil is very concentrated, and because of this, should be diluted, both for safety, and to extend the use of the oil.  Each essential oil has recommended dilution, some can be used safely without dilution while others require it.  For our recipe below, the dilution comes out to be 0.6% dilution. That is, 60 drops of oil, which equals 0.11 ounces to the 18.5 ounces of combined shea butter and carrier oils. This dilution level is safe for skin and hair, and allows the scent to come through. The 60 drops of essential oil can come from any combination of essential oils you wish to use.  The oils can be mixed to create a scent that's nice and pleasant, or mixed for the nutrient benefits of the oil, or both. The Recipe Whipped Shea Butter 15 oz of shea butter4 tablespoons of coconut oil1 tablespoon of olive oil1 tablespoon of avocado oil1 teaspoon of almond oil1 teaspoon of jojoba oil1 teaspoon of castor oil60 drops of essential oil5-10 drops of tea tree oil and/or vitamin E oil Steps 1. Boil a pot of water on a stove. 2. On a table, combine the shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil in a stainless steel bowl or pot that can sit atop the boiling pot of water. 3. Set the butter and oil mixture atop the boiling water and allow the butter and oils to melt and mix together. 4. Once melted, cover and refrigerate until the mixture solidifies. We usually let it set overnight to ensure it solidifies throughout. 5. Scoop out the solid mixture into a mixing bowl. 6. Add essential oils and tea tree/vitamin E oil to the mixture. 7. Mix with an electric mixer or wooden spatula until smooth. 8. Scoop out with a rubber spatula into a glass or plastic jar with a lid. Video Here's the video of us making shea butter!

Our skin comes in contact with many different things; weather, clothes, soaps, lotions, and beauty products. Many of us will have a skin rash from time to time, but people with eczema have very sensitive skin and chronic skin problems.What is eczema?Eczema, pronounced “eck-zeh-ma” is a chronic skin condition. The medical word for it is: “atopic dermatitis”. If you have eczema, your skin is likely to feel itchy, red, rough, dry, scaly, and sometimes, it may feel bumpy. It’s not contagious, so others can’t catch it from you.What causes eczema?There is no known cause for eczema, but many medical experts believe that a person is more likely to develop eczema if a family member has it or if they have a problem with their immune system (the bodies’ defense against disease). If one or both of your parents have eczema, asthma, hay fever, or another allergic condition, you’re at risk for having symptoms, but your symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.Who gets eczema?Eczema is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, at any age. It most often appears during the first 5 years of life, but it can also start during the teen years or even when you’re an adult.Eczema comes with dry skin along with unbearable red, itchy and irritated skin. Anyone can get the eczema problem at any stages of life. Eczema is considered an immune deficiency and requires a cure to work both inside and out. There are few natural wonders that have been shown to reduce eczema symptoms both on the skin and in the immune system. One of the natural effective ingredient to cure eczema and its symptoms is coconut oil. Coconut oil, when mixed with other powerful ingredients like shea butter and essential oil would be a perfect remedy in the form of whipped body butter for eczema prone skin. This anti-itch whipped body butter for eczema prone skin has the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory property to calm the irritated skin and make it moisturized. Let’s see what are the benefits of the ingredients used in making body butter for eczema.  What goes in body butter? Coconut Oil Coconut oil contains a high amount of fatty acids, one of which is lauric acid. Lauric acid has antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It means that coconut oil can be used for eczema, as it has all the properties which can help treat and relieve the discomfort brought on by eczema. Coconut oil is also packed with caprylic acid, vitamins E and K, and capric acid. All these help to repair broken skin and nourish it at the same time with the natural oil. Coconut oil has an excellent skin moisturizing property which gets easily absorbed into the skin tissue, where it works as an emollient. It softens the dry, brittle skin characteristic of eczema, preventing skin breakups that invite microbes. It improves the feel of rough, scaly skin and reduces irritation and calms the itchiness. Coconut oil for eczema is also supported by scientific evidence. In a randomized, double-blind study published in the International Journal of Dermatology in 2014, researchers found that virgin coconut oil had a greater effect than mineral oil in 117 patients with mild to moderate eczema.  The researchers compared virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil in terms of how they moisturized dry skin and removed the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus in 126 eczema patients. Only one patient who used virgin coconut oil tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, compared to six taking virgin olive oil. The researchers concluded that coconut oil is an effective treatment for eczema, given its protective effect against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. (Source)   Shea Butter Shea butter has been known as a miracle cream to help people heal eczema. It contains lots of fatty acids, which can help heal scars formed by eczema through moisturizing the skin, accelerating cell renewal, and supporting circulation. It has shown to be a superb moisturizer, with exceptional healing properties for the skin. It is an all natural healing Vitamin A cream and Vitamin A is very important for many skin conditions including wrinkles, acne, blemishes, and eczema. Shea butter has several derivatives of cinnamic acid that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties too. Vitamin E found in shea butter is a powerfully regenerative, fat-soluble antioxidant. When applied to the skin, vitamin E helps in a number of ways, not the least of which being the prevention and softening of skin, as well as providing relief from dryness. Vitamin E helps to bring the softness back into a rough and leathery complexion. During research, it was found that among the patients with eczema dermatitis, 74% reported significant relief from the symptoms after using a cream containing Shea butter.  It is believed to work by keeping the skin well-moisturized and preventing the trans-epidermal water loss.  It was also found that the pruritus caused by eczema can also be controlled effectively by the regular application of Shea butter. (Source) Calendula Oil Calendula oil is a wonderful ingredient to include in eczema and dermatitis skin care formulas because it has amazing anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce the swelling and the desire to scratch these areas. It is also renowned for its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, cuts, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, acne, yeast infections, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. It stimulates the production of collagen which assists in the healing process. (Source) According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, topical applications containing calendula show some evidence of helping soothe the irritation and itching of eczema, as well as to boost healing. MedlinePlus.com notes that more research on human subjects needs to be undertaken but agrees that evidence for using calendula to treat skin inflammation looks promising. It points to a human trial on women suffering from severe dermatitis relating to chemotherapy treatment. The patients who applied calendula ointment experienced measurable relief. (Source) Lavender Oil Lavender oil has many benefits on skin because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics. It soothes and nourishes the skin—treating acne, healing dry and rough skin, soothes itchy skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots and scars. It works as an excellent natural remedy for eczema and helps to promote wound healing and preventing scarring from occurring the first place. It encourages the formation of healthy skin cells and is effective against acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, eczema and a host of other inflammatory conditions. Tea Tree Essential Oil Tea tree oil has healing components that can help ease the symptoms and severity of eczema flares. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that help to reduce itching or irritation, fight infection-causing germs and stop it from spreading. It has a number of exceptional healing qualities that have been proven throughout the years. A research performed in 2004, an animal study, observed the effects of a 10 percent tea tree oil cream on canines with eczema. Dogs treated with the tea tree oil cream for 10 days experienced significantly less itching than dogs treated with a commercial skin care cream. They also experienced relief faster. (Source) The results of one 2011 study showed that topically-applied tea tree oil was significantly more effective than zinc oxide and clobetasone butyrate creams at reducing eczema symptoms. (Source) Castor Oil The ricinoleic acid in castor oil draws out dirt, dead cells, harmful microbes from the skin and stimulates the lymphatic system, and promotes the growth of healthy tissue. By improving circulation and blood flow, castor oil helps remove cellular toxins, thereby reducing swelling and inflammation and helping fight infection. Castor oil reduces inflammation, hydrates and moisturizes the skin, relieves pain, and can even treat skin infection. It is such an ideal treatment for the symptoms of eczema due to its unique chemical composition. It’s antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects are well documented. Vitamin E Oil Vitamin E oil treats eczema by supporting new skin cell growth and speeding up cell regeneration. It can also work to hydrate and moisturize dry skin. It also prevents and repairs free radical damage. When applied topically to the skin, it helps to lighten scars and smooth the rough skin by lubricating cell membranes and encouraging cell regeneration. Manuka Honey Manuka honey is native to New Zealand and is created when bees pollinate the Manuka bush, a relative of the tea tree. Honey has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, which is why it is one of the oldest remedies for many health problems, inside and out. Looking for a ready-made remedy? Check out our specially-formulated shea body butter made with all of these great ingredients for treating eczema.

You may have seen or heard of comedogenic and non-comedogenic ratings for oils, and either said...

A lot of people have stretch marks.  Some don't really care about them, while others don't like the appearance of them. If you don't like stretch marks, it turns out there's a natural solution that might help.   What Causes Stretch Marks? Stretch marks can appear for several reasons: Rapid weight loss or weight gain.When your weight changes slowly, your skin and body can adjust to the changes.  When it happens quickly, you have a better chance of developing stretch marks Teenagers with growth spurtsAs stated in the previous point, when teenagers go through growth spurts, your skin may stretch causing stretch marks Pregnancy - another instance of bodily change Increased levels of cortisone in the body, which is naturally produced from the adrenal glands Are Stretch Marks Bad? Short answer, no.  They mostly just affect self esteem if a person doesn't like how they look.  The best thing to do is embrace it as something natural that many people have and experience, and just move on. Do Stretch Marks Go Away Naturally? Your skin may not go back to looking how it looked before marks occurred, but the stretch marks can get lighter and less visible.  Here are some ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Shea Butter Shea butter is full of Vitamin A and antioxidants, which are great for improving the elasticity of the skin. If you want to clear your stretch marks, then shea butter should become your best friend!  Coconut Oil Coconut oil also has properties to remedy stretch marks.  It is commonly used in many beauty products, and with good reason. Here are some things you can do with coconut oil Get a scoop of coconut oil and gently rub it into the areas that are prone to having stretch marks. Leave the oil on until the skin absorbs it completely. Repeat this uncomplicated procedure every day.  Mix several drops of coconut oil with the same amount of olive or castor oil. Gently rub this mixture into the affected skin and leave it to absorb. Repeat every day.  Mix half a cup of liquefied coconut oil and an equal amount of coffee grounds. You can use it right away or pour this mixture into a mould, leave it for five hours and then store it in the fridge. Either way, gently rub this remedy on your skin for several minutes and thoroughly wash it off. Repeat the same process three times a week. Aloe Vera Aloe vera is used frequently to remedy skin ailments, as it contains many nutrients. It can also help you in your fight against stretch marks. If they are just starting to show, aloe vera can be a great help in getting rid of them completely! Here are some of the many ways you can use it Get the gel of the aloe plant and gently rub it into the skin. Leave it on for fifteen minutes. Use lukewarm water to rinse it off and repeat this process every day. Mix the aloe vera gel and coffee grounds to create a paste. Apply this sort of scrub to your stretch marks. Leave the paste on the skin for twenty minutes and then wipe it away with a warm wet towel. Moisturize afterward with olive oil or shea body butter to reinforce the effects of using aloe vera. You can make a moisturizer out of aloe vera. Get a tablespoon of aloe gel, a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of wheat oil. Mix them together, put the mixture in an old moisturizer bottle or an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for the night. After that, just use this natural moisturizer every day as your regular moisturizer. If you want to make more of it, just mix the equal amounts of the three ingredients. Lemon Lemon is known for its lightening properties, and that is exactly what you need to make your stretch marks go away. Here are some recipes you can try yourself: Before going to bed, rub lemon slices or cotton balls dabbed in fresh lemon juice all over the skin that is covered in stretch marks. Leave it on the skin for the night and wash it all off in the morning. Repeat every night. If your skin is quite sensitive, we recommend you to add some rose water to the juice, or aloe vera.  Mix the same amounts of fresh cucumber and lemon juice. Apply this liquid to your skin with your fingers, or use a cotton ball, and leave to dry. Then, carefully rinse it off. Repeat regularly. Mix two tablespoons of pure fresh lemon juice with a half cup of cocoa butter. With gentle rubbing motions, apply the mixture to the affected skin. Let the whole thing dry and then wash it all off.  Combine a teaspoon of lemon juice a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of almond oil. Rub this mixture into your skin for ten minutes. Do this every single day before going to the shower for at least a whole month to see the results. Mix half a teaspoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of Vitamin E and a teaspoon of olive oil. Apply it to your skin, leave it to dry and then wipe it off. Do this twice a day for a month for the result you are looking for In short, don't be discouraged by stretch marks. They are natural and many people have them.  But there are natural remedies to lighten the appearance such that they are less visible.

Did you know we all have different skin types? Do you know your skin type? There are five common skin types, each with different characteristics. Understanding the differences and knowing your skin type is key in determining the right beauty routines for cultivating the healthiest and most natural skin care. Keep reading as we delve deeper into each type and hopefully help you discover your skin type or learn more about your type and how shea butter and african black soap can do wonders for you! Skin type 1: Normal skin This is the cadillac of all skin types....(sking given to the chosen few...hehe (I wish)), and this because it is usually s well hydrated, elastic and supple. Normal skin looks pretty clean and smooth like a peach and has a good circulation and a shiny complexion. All in all, this is the skin with minimal care (a gift from God!)This skin needs little treatment, but that means a minimum of : cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Shea Butter for Normal Skin As normal skin is the most problem-free skin, shea butter is one of the best moisturizers for maintaining normal skin and keeping it healthy.  African Black Soap for Normal Skin Similar to shea butter, african black soap is problem free with african black soap. Use with a moisturizer such as shea butter and it will only help you maintain that beautiful tone and feel. Skin type 2 : Dry skin Does your skin ever feel as dry as the desert? No matter how much oil, cream, or lotion applied, it never seems to keep your skin soft or smooth? This may be your skin type. This  skin type can look flaky with dry patches. It often feels tight and uncomfortable after washing. Unfortunately dry skin can develop a shallow tone, as it does absorb or reflect light. But wait, there's more....... it is more prone to aging and irritating.. (take a deep breath, we will stop here with all the bad stuff) The light at the end of the tunnel is ...your lovely pores. This is great because pores are invisible. Practicing proper skin care (masks and good moisturizers) can help you fight this dryness and get better hydrated and vibrant skin. Shea Butter for Dry Skin Shea butter is a great moisturizer for dry skin, and should be used as needed. African Black Soap for Dry Skin Start by using black soap once a week to see how it affects your skin.  It is recommended to use a moisturizer such as shea butter afterward.  Increase usage to twice a week and onward if your skin reacts favorably. Skin type 3 : Oily skin Oily skin is the shiniest skin of all. And there is much debate around whether or not this is a good or bad thing. On the worst end of the spectrum, the skin usually looks greasy, thick and coarse. Pores are usually pretty enlarged and do tend to break into acne. However, on the positive side of the spectrum oily skin is not as prone to premature aging and wrinkling as the other types. That means, your thirties-forties should be much more fun than your teenage years. Oily skin needs to be gently cleaned everyday with a good cleanser. You don't want to use harsh products that strip your skin of oil, because it will simply make matters worse, which is what you definitely want to avoid. Shea Butter for Oily Skin Many people think that because they have oily skin, they need to avoid other oils at all costs. The popular yet outdated mode of thinking is that more oil will make your already oily skin break out. And while this is true of some oils, it is not true of all of them.  At the end of the day, what will determine whether or not someone breaks out from putting a carrier oil on their face is the comedogenic tendencies of the oil. If an oil is comedogenic, it means that it clogs the pores. Different oils have different comedogenic ratings.  If you are worried about your pores getting clogged from applying plant oils to your face, look to carrier oils and butters that have a comedogenic rating of 0, like raw African Shea butter. Shea butter is unique in that it is one of the very few plant oils with a comedogenic rating of 0. African Black Soap for Oily Skin African black soap is great for oily and acne prone skin. It’s efficient for deep pore cleansing because of its natural exfoliating qualities. For some oily skin types it seems to keep the skin hydrated without increasing oil. Even if you have oily skin you should moisturize afterwards with a moisturizer like shea butter or lotion. Skin type 4 : Combination skin Combination skin is a mix of two worlds, kind of. Having both is a combination of oily and dry at the same time. Unfortunately, this is probably the trickiest skin. It's like having patches of dry skin (usually the cheeks) and patches of oily skin (the famous T-Zone forehead / nose / chin ). Which typically means, having to use specific types of care for these specific facial areas. Dry zones (near the cheeks and eyes) are usually treated with rich creams while oily areas will require a lighter textured treatment. A healthy balance is the key to managing this skin type. Shea Butter for Combination Skin Shea butter is great for combination skin and can help create that much needed balance in combination skin care. African Black Soap for Combination Skin Since combination skin has characteristics of dry and oily skin, you may notice dry patches after use outside of the T-zone (i'm in this boat). Use shea butter or another moisturizer on dry parts, or all over to keep skin moisturized. Skin type 5 : Sensitive skin We can't really say it is a true skin type, solely. Over the last decade, the sensitive skin type has been researched and talked about in greater detail. Studies reveal that sensitive skin can be due to our modern way of life: such as, poor diet and nutrition, pollutants in the air and toxic irritants from certain perfumes,cosmetics, etc. These factors often trigger sensitivity.Sensitive skin is thin or can be finely textured, with dry patches. In fact, dry and sensitive are often found in the same category to describe the same skin.This is typically what we call a delicate skin that flushes easily from temperature changes, that burns easily (sun exposure) and is prone to irritation and allergic reactions.As you can imagine, this sensitivity means you should avoid products with perfumes, dyes, or most chemicals. Shea Butter for Sensitive Skin Test how the shea butter reacts to your skin by using a little on a small part of the skin.  If your skin reacts favorably, increase as needed. African Black Soap for Sensitive Skin Similar to shea butter, start by using once a week on a small part of the skin to test how your skin reacts.  If it reacts favorably, increase the area of usage, and gradually increase to twice a week and more as needed. Reactions to African Black Soap or Shea Butter If you break out in a rash or contact dermatitis discontinue use and consult your dermatologist. If you are latex-allergic you could have latex fruit syndrome and could have a reaction the plantain ash in black soap, as well as palm and coconut oil. If you have a chocolate allergy or are sensitive to caffeine, also be aware that there could be a high concentration of cocoa pods (which make the ash) used in the soap. We hope you learned something new and found this our content interesting. The most important take away is that if you are interested in healthy, natural hair and skin care you can achieve it. In addition to informing you about the benefits of knowing your skin type, we also offer products that can help you have the soft, smooth skin you've always wanted. 

Let's be honest, nobody wants to smell funky (or if you're really funky, you're fonky). You want to look good and you want to smell good and be good. After you've washed the funk off with soap and water, you put on deodorant, then reach for your either your favorite perfume, cologne, OR your favorite scented body oil. Perfumes and colognes are great, and a lot of people have their favorites. But a lot of people don't know that their favorite scent is probably available as a scented body oil, which has some really good advantages over perfume and cologne. Scented Body Oils Last Longer Colognes and perfumes typically last 1-3 hours while scented body oils last 6-15 hours. This is because perfumes and colognes are made with alcohol which evaporates over time, and as it evaporates, the scent evaporates along with it. This gives the impression of a strong powerful scent, but it also fades away quickly. Oils don't evaporate as quickly and get absorbed into the skin, which helps the scent last longer. The typical scented body oil can last the whole day, giving you a better bang for your buck. Perfumes and Colognes Cost More Body Oils typically are packaged as rollerballs, and can be applied to your wrists, behind the ear, inside the elbow, the back of the neck, and inside your belly button.  None of it gets wasted as it would with a spray perfume/cologne that might be sprayed as a mist or directly to the skin, which starts to evaporate soon after.  Body oils are priced between $5-$8 such as here and are in a 10 ml bottle.  Perfumes and colognes are typically anywhere from $50-$200 for a 50 ml bottle. This means they are twice as much, and even 5x as much as oils, due to the large markup of stores and sometimes because of the celebrity name on the bottle! You're basically paying for the name. Perfumes and Colognes Contain Fillers Perfumes and colognes contain fillers such as alcohol, water, and possibly other fillers. These fillers could cause allergic reactions to sensitive skin, so that's something to be aware of. Perfumes and Colognes Are Usually Overpowering They smell good, but sometimes they can be a little too much. This is because of the quick evaporation of the alcohol. The quick evaporation can cause some of the stronger notes in the scent overpower some of the middle and base notes. Body Oils Less Likely to Irritate Skin It goes without saying that the alcohol and other dehydrating chemicals in most perfumes can be irritating and drying to the skin. Those with dry skin often have a hard time wearing scent because of how quickly it dries and dissipates. Oils, on the other hand, are moisturizing, which not only helps them to last longer but also makes them suitable for any skin type.

Pimples, acne, black head, white head, hyper pigmentation, uneven skin tone, oily, dry, sensitive skin. These are all skin conditions I've dealt with at different times in my life.  Acne and pimples were the first two that I encountered as I became a teenager.   I remember waking up one day, dreading going to junior high school, wondering/dreading what awkward social situation might occur that day, hoping that I could somehow just fly under the radar, learn what I needed to learn, and go home without anyone noticing (I was shy and introverted in a brand new school).  I got up, went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and there it was, a massive pimple outbreak! I was hideous! I was pizza face! I was scared to even look at myself. I thought, surely this would warrant a day home from school, or even the school telling me to go home so I didn't cause a panic from being the pimple monster.  Sadly this was not the case, I had to go to school, and explain to everyone that I had no idea what had happened to my face. My face looked something like this, but less delicious:  From then on, I became obsessed with taking care of my skin.  I tried any and everything I could get my hands on, and developed a twice-daily regime of keeping my face as clean as I could and my pores as un-oily as possible.  Without naming any names, I put many store-bought products on my face, and I didn't care what was in them, I just wanted them to work.  I got a little bit of relief, but it was an ongoing battle. Today I am a little older and a little wiser, and I've discovered a new weapon in the fight for clear skin.  This weapon is known as African Black Soap! It is made with a healthy mix of all-natural ingredients that have a variety of protective and healing properties. The soap is traditionally made from the ash of freshly harvested plants and barks, including plantain, cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and shea tree bark. The leaves and bark are sun-dried, then roasted in a kettle or pot at a constant temperature. After roasting, water is added along with palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa pod powder. Black soap works by cleansing the skin using the natural ingredients added to it. The ash from the plantain skins saponify the oils turning them into soap unlike traditional soap that uses sodium hydroxide. When you first use the soap, you'll see that it's firm but not like most bar soaps.  It can crumble into smaller chunks.  When you wash with it, black soap goes to work by penetrating the skin to remove impurities. It doesn't remove existing acne, instead it helps to prevent excessive oil production and bacterial growth which help to create acne in the first place. Because of this, when you use black soap you may experience “purging” where it seems like your skin is getting worse. I went through this for two weeks after being encouraged to stick it out. Afterwards my skin was very clear and vibrant as black soap also helps to fade dark marks from the iron, vitamin A and vitamin E it contains. In addition, black soap provides the proper moisturize balance for the skin. The shea butter and coconut oil help to smooth and hydrate the skin. Black soap is great because it can clear acne, but is gentle enough for all skin types. Black soap is great to use for back breakouts. It helps to clear bacteria-causing acne on your face, it does the same for your back. I use this on my back nightly with no adverse side effects. For eczema & psoriasis; the natural fats in black soap from the coconut and palm oils help to relive tight, itchy and dry skin and the iron, vitamin A and vitamin E help to promote healthy moisturized skin. Though black soap is not a cure-all, it’s one of the core components of my skin cleaning regimen. Without it, i really don’t think my skin would be in the condition that it’s in now. After my first week of using african black soap, I noticed my skin starting to clear up, and the dark spots on my cheeks started to lighten up and start looking like the surrounding skin.  Not only that, but in my opinion, it just feels better when I use it than other soaps.  And I can feel good that this soap is made from all-natural ingredients.  I started out using raw African black soap, and then found out about black soap infused with essential oils that smell good too, so now I'm totally sold. Related: More reasons why black soap is so unique