African Black Soap

Apr 30, 2017

Jessy L.

I've heard that African black soap helps with reducing acne. Lately I've been breaking out a little bit on my face and chest and I was wondering whether to try this soap out. I'm currently looking at the Shea Moisture African black soap bar. What do you ladies think?

May 1, 2017

Leuca S.

I remain skeptical of simply changing the product you use to wash your face to cure acne, because it largely takes place under the skin's surface where cleansers cannot reach.

I can tell you from experience that black soap bars will leave a residue if you have hard city water. They also tend to have quite a bit of herbal fragrance which may or may not be good for your skin.

I feel a more comprehensive routine is the best approach to dealing with acne, but I like to ascertain a bit more information before recommending products. How would you describe your skin, aside from recently being acne prone? Oily all over? Combination? Sensitive?

May 1, 2017

Tiara A.

I've used that brand but I would say get a real African black soap. Try amazon. The shea moisture one is like a hybrid. Also remember to moisturizer since it's really drying.

May 2, 2017

Jessy L.

@Leuca S I tend to get oily throughout the day, if I don't moisturize then my skin will be a bit dry. But mostly I would say I have oily skin. I tend not to break out too often but I have been breaking out lately especially on my chest. I did talk to my doctor and dermatologist and I was prescribed a medication which helped however the acne came back once I stopped using it, and I really don't want to start taking oral medications for acne.

May 2, 2017

Jessy L.

Thank you Tiara!

May 2, 2017

Leuca S.

Unless you have deep, cystic acne, the kind that are so far under the skin's surface that they never come to a head, you should be able to treat your acne with topical products.

What does the rest of your routine look like, both for face and body?

May 3, 2017

Grace G.

Mary Kay and birth control take care of acne trust me

May 3, 2017

Grace G.

Honestly birth control and antibiotics are the only thing that wipe out acne. You can't stay on antibiotics but you can stay on birth control. Birth control isn't just for protection ladies it helps regulate our hormones and such which gets rid of acne

May 3, 2017

Grace G.

Oh and I've been on it since I was 15 I'm 27 now. I know there's a lot of young girls on here. If you have horrible acne birth control might be a good idea.

May 3, 2017

Jessy L.

@Leuca S I use the aveeno positively radiant cleanser morning and night, then I moisturize with my neutrogena spf 15, only in the morning. And for my body I use a dove soap bar. I've actually noticed the pimples on my face started to disappear, but my chest acne is still there.

May 3, 2017

Leuca S.

If the body acne is your primary concern, a soap bar might be exacerbating the condition, because the ingredients that typically keep it in solid form can stay on the surface of your skin and block hair follicles/pores, especially with hard water. Try a more water soluble body wash like the original Aveeno Body Wash, and grab some microfiber washcloths on Amazon to gently exfoliate the skin there while you cleanse.

As for a full face/body routine to treat acne, I would finally like to know what your budget is either per product or generally what you'd be willing to spend in total, so that I can get you the most bang for your buck.

May 5, 2017

Brandie L.

African black soap is great, I used it on my face and it dried out all the acne and my face was smooth and clean afterwards! but I would buy it from an herb shop where it's all natural instead of Wal-Mart or a beauty store.

May 6, 2017

Jessy L.

Thank you Brandie!

May 6, 2017

Jessy L.

@Leuca S. I'm generally trying to spend around $30 in total, I'm not looking for totally high-end products.