Ananda Mahony
NaomiBlack Soap - Sensitive Skin Cleanser (LINK)
June 10th 2008 02:11
Part Two - Black Soap from Africa.
Traditionally Anago has been used for cleansing from head to toe and including hair. It is gentle enough to clean new born babies delicate skin and sensitive or damaged skin but it is also used very effectively for acne prone, oily and blemished skin. The mildness of this soap makes it suitable for all skins. Some of the traditional ingredients such as Agow Bark and plantain leaf add healing qualities to the soap. Agow bark has a mild antiseptic effect making it useful for minimising acne-causing bacteria. While Anago does not generally contain “grains” the inclusion of Plantain provides gentle exfoliation and enzymatic qualities clearing the skin of dead cells.
Often compressed into blocks, genuine black soap can be quite soft or crumbly so doesn’t readily form a traditional soap bar shape. For this reason perhaps, it hasn’t become widely commercially available. Unfortunately there are many imitations available on the global market, which are poor substitutes for the real product. Most imitation products don’t use traditional ingredients and rely on charcoal or black dye as colouring agents and cheap vegetable or animal oils as shea or coco butter substitutes. This results in a black soap look-alike that lacks the essential qualities of the traditional version.
Another significant issue with imitation black soap is that it isn’t Fair Trade. True black soap is sourced exclusively from Fair Trade organisations such as woman's co-operative of Ghana in West Africa. Supporting Fair Trade means that the women making the soap are paid fair wages, have pension plans, sick leave and good working conditions. One way of determining if you are buying true black soap is that it is only made in western Africa and not in the US, Europe and Asia. If you are unsure, ask if the product is Fair Trade and check the ingredient listing.
Author: Ananda Mahony ND. Ananda is a naturopath and skin specialist. She owns Vitale Natural, an organic skin care store and beauty salon in Paddington, Brisbane. www.vitalenatural.com.au
Traditionally Anago has been used for cleansing from head to toe and including hair. It is gentle enough to clean new born babies delicate skin and sensitive or damaged skin but it is also used very effectively for acne prone, oily and blemished skin. The mildness of this soap makes it suitable for all skins. Some of the traditional ingredients such as Agow Bark and plantain leaf add healing qualities to the soap. Agow bark has a mild antiseptic effect making it useful for minimising acne-causing bacteria. While Anago does not generally contain “grains” the inclusion of Plantain provides gentle exfoliation and enzymatic qualities clearing the skin of dead cells.
Often compressed into blocks, genuine black soap can be quite soft or crumbly so doesn’t readily form a traditional soap bar shape. For this reason perhaps, it hasn’t become widely commercially available. Unfortunately there are many imitations available on the global market, which are poor substitutes for the real product. Most imitation products don’t use traditional ingredients and rely on charcoal or black dye as colouring agents and cheap vegetable or animal oils as shea or coco butter substitutes. This results in a black soap look-alike that lacks the essential qualities of the traditional version.
Another significant issue with imitation black soap is that it isn’t Fair Trade. True black soap is sourced exclusively from Fair Trade organisations such as woman's co-operative of Ghana in West Africa. Supporting Fair Trade means that the women making the soap are paid fair wages, have pension plans, sick leave and good working conditions. One way of determining if you are buying true black soap is that it is only made in western Africa and not in the US, Europe and Asia. If you are unsure, ask if the product is Fair Trade and check the ingredient listing.
Author: Ananda Mahony ND. Ananda is a naturopath and skin specialist. She owns Vitale Natural, an organic skin care store and beauty salon in Paddington, Brisbane. www.vitalenatural.com.au
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