Earlier this year, I ran out of my regular self-made black soap and needed a replacement. At this very moment also, my hormones decided to remind me of my growing age with a persistent increase of acne on my forehead. The only option I had was to go down memory lane to my former bathing soap Palmolive Naturals. This alternative was shortlived because I felt like it wasn’t washing my body and face and only making my acne worse. I had enjoyed the benefits of black soap for over a year and going back just didn’t work.

A week went by with still no luck at acquiring my black soap and after whining to anyone willing to listen, a friend suggested I try the Shea Moisture African Black Soap and I thought why not. So I bought the Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Acne Prone & Troubled Skin and was excited to try it out with the hope that my forehead was going to get better. 

Before I go further, I’d like to say that this is not a sponsored post. All opinions about this product are mine. The first thing I remember when I opened the pack was how the fragrance filled the air in my room. I was excited but also nervous at the same time. I didn’t want to react to it and I needed my face and body to love it. I especially loved how it felt on my skin as I rubbed it on. It also has a rough surface that made it feel like I was exfoliating every time I took a shower.

Two weeks later, the soap was almost out and I added it to my shopping list with no hesitation. The day I went shopping, I didn’t find it in my regular supermarket. It took two supermarket visits later before I found Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Troubled Skin.

This wasn’t the initial soap I had been using but it was close to it so I bought two pieces. It turned out that besides the absence of a rough surface and a reduced fragrance, there wasn’t much difference between the two soaps. If I had to choose one though I’d choose the former.

Since this is a review, let’s get to my pros and cons. 

Pros

• It is nicely fragranced 
• It retains your natural colour and makes your melanin pop
• It’s a good alternative to traditional black soap
• It actually does clear acne and black spots 

Cons

• It’s pure black and also lathers in black so you have to ensure you rinse off properly or you’ll stain your towel.
• It’s really huge and difficult to hold for the first few days. It also won’t fit into a soap case until it’s been used for a while or you decide to cut it in two.
• It’s not cheap and doesn’t last long either (If I remember correctly, the Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Acne Prone & Troubled Skin cost over N4,000 while the Shea Moisture African Black Soap for Troubled Skin cost N2,670 in January but now it’s N3,390)
• It’s also not easily available everywhere. You can find it at Ebeano Supermarket––if you’re lucky––in Nigeria and Walmart abroad. However, it’s available on amazon too.  

I recommend this soap to everyone looking to try black soap for bathing. 

I finally got a new supply of my black soap in March but I’m happy I have a bathing soap to fall back to when I can’t make mine.

Have you tried any of the Shea Moisture soap range?

Mariam Shittu