Shea Moisture • Organic African Black Soap • Gels/Soaps

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PicturePerfect0814 on 5/6/2013 8:44:00 PM more reviews by PicturePerfect0814

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have only been using this for a few days, primarily for my face, and I have extremely sensitive skin. I suffer from combination skin, horrible acne scars, occasional, and very uneven skin tone, my face is way darker than the rest of me. My face is caramel while my body is yellow because of the acne products I've used in the past. I wanted something that didn't have chemicals because they're so harsh on my skin.

Since using this soap my bumps have cleared up, my scars are already fading, and omg my face is turning back normal again!!!!! (happy dance). I moisturize my skin after I use it just in case it might dry it out.

and it only cost me $4 at my local Walgreens :)

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emilywatts13 on 3/4/2013 9:32:00 PM more reviews by emilywatts13

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I do not have this brand, but I absolutely love raw black soap which is similar! I have acne prone skin and this is one of the few cleansers I have stuck with! I will continue to use it!

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ontheglam on 2/11/2013 1:02:00 PM more reviews by ontheglam

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I have been using this on my combination skin as my night-cleanser for about three weeks now, and I am very happy. The first couple times I used this, my sensitive skin burned a bit (and definitely close your eyes suuuuuper tight when you use this, OUCH) and I briefly developed some dry patches so I wasn't sure that I'd end up liking it. However, after the first couple times the reaction has stopped and now, weeks later, I'm left with super clear and awesomely glowy skin.
Love the smell, too- it's sort of black licorice-y. Kind of an expensive bar at $11, but it's hardly gotten any smaller since I bought it and I use it nightly.
I will definitely repurchase for as long as I can find this!

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eriann00 on 1/28/2013 11:12:00 AM more reviews by eriann00

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I had heard good things about this shea moisture african black soap in the past, and was curious about it, but never used it until someone actually gave me a bar.

I have oily skin, clogged pores, and adult acne, and the ocassional cystic pimple. I had previously sought help from a dermatologist, but after months of trying different prescribtions, and hundreds of dollars wasted, I gave up on prescribtion acne meds, as they did nothing for me that over the counter stuff didn't already do.
Once I started using this soap twice a day, I never used additional products other than a moisturizer. I am amazed at how much better my skin is! I don't have any new pimples, and my clogged pores are getting much clearer. It is very drying, but I don't mind that too much, as my skin is pretty oily. I am not a fan of the smell (smells kind of like black licorice), but it doesnt bother me enough to not use it.
I am so happy that I found this product, will def be getting this again as it works like a miracle on my skin!!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sweetheart519 on 12/21/2012 3:53:00 PM more reviews by sweetheart519

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this product on a whim, trying to desperately help my dry, itchy skin. I have acne, eczema, and sensitive skin. I have always used Dove soap, but I have found that this stuff is better. It is more drying in the sense that I feel "squeaky clean" skin after the shower, but yet my skin feels less irritated. I just make sure to put moisturizer on immediately. It's been really nice stuff. I just bought a second bar. Not sure I would use it on my face though...I stick to my Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash for that.

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liked00dness on 12/11/2012 9:59:00 PM more reviews by liked00dness

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I've had pretty gross skin since my teens: clogged pores everywhere, cystic acne on my back, skin is always too dry or greasy, etc, and nothing has made a dent in any of it. I picked up this bar on a whim, and after a month the cystic acne on my back is gone. It is drying, but I've also been using raw shea butter to combat that, which works pretty well.

I also bought a bottle of the liquid version, which is AWFUL, so I'm definitely sticking with the bar.

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floridamuaer on 8/19/2012 2:22:00 PM more reviews by floridamuaer

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I originally bought this product to use in the shower. I was having a problem breaking out on my chest and back after getting all sweaty working outside in the garden. MUA suggested this soap and it has worked great for that purpose.

I also started using it on my face. I have oily, but aging, skin with giant pores. This soap has worked wonders on my face. My pores have shrunk considerably and I rarely get any pimples. I use it twice a day: in the morning I use and exfoliating pad with it, and at night I use it by itself. It really clears out any make-up left behind after using m.u. remover wipes as well.

I can see why some have said that it dries out their skin, sometimes I do seem a bit over-dry after using, but after applying moisturizer I am good to go.

Will definitely re-buy.

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ljoseph29 on 7/26/2012 1:31:00 PM more reviews by ljoseph29

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This soap made my skin horribly dry! I was so ashy after I got out of the shower. I had to hurry up and save my skin from the dryness. If you are looking for a soap to moisturize your skin, this is not a good buy.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* itsKelCeeEee on 4/24/2012 2:00:00 AM more reviews by itsKelCeeEee

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Cool   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

EDIT (5/12/2012): I had to stop using this soap because it was just way too drying for my skin, to the point where it made my dry cheeks ache and throb when I was done washing my face with it, and sting even after I'd put on moisturizer. I was surprised because my skin usually doesn't get irritated like that. I went back to my Purity cleanser. Definitely won't buy again, but oh well. It was only 4 dollars. Original review is below.
---

I've only been using this soap for about two weeks so I'll probably come back and edit it.

I bought this soap because I'd heard it was really good for scarring and read that it treated everything from acne to eczema to psoriasis. The ingredients were impressive (but I love most Shea Moisture products anyway so I don't know why I was so surprised by that fact) and the bar was four dollars, so I decided to go for it. Luckily, it was a good investment. I don't know if my scarring's any better and I didn't expect to see a difference this soon since scarring can take months to heal. I do know, however, that this soap leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. It calms down my oily T-Zone while not drying out my already Sahara dry cheeks. My complexion (at least to me) seems as if it's evening out. These two stress zits that I got on my cheek a few days ago are nearly gone, and from the looks of it they won't leave any sort of scar. Being that my skin scars even when I don't touch it at all, this is a really good sign.


A few things though, and they all revolve around dryness. First off, like the reviewer below me said, I only use this at night because if I use it twice a day my skin feels extremely tight, dry, and itchy, even after I put on a moisturizer (too much of a good thing?). Second, I don't know if it's because the soap's so dry or if it's so thorough, but it helps my pores soak up my nightly moisturizer a lot easier and I can use more of it without my face feeling greasy. Finally, I can't use this on my body because it makes my skin feel super dry. BUT, so does every other bar soap that touches my body, which is why I use body washes.


I like it. I wish it came in cleanser form because I really hate using washcloths on my face (and before this soap I never used one) but it's not the end of the world. I don't know if I'd recommend it to people with dry skin though.

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jojorose24 on 3/11/2012 8:43:00 PM more reviews by jojorose24

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

This product works really well for my acne-prone skin. I also have very oily skin, and since this is an oily soap I was afraid it might make me break out even worse. But it didn't! You just have to take really good care of making sure you get all of it off after washing. One used to be flaw, is (no offense grandma) but it smelled like old lady. I was afraid that people might think I smelled weird like that, but after awhile I didn't even notice it, and I still don't. I only wash with my face with this at night because when I wash it twice, my face feels really itchy and dry. I also suffer with a little bit of "bacne" so I use it for that too and it works! You should really check this product out!

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aerinn0404 on 11/19/2011 10:28:00 PM more reviews by aerinn0404

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I've struggled off and on my entire post puberty life with body acne, particularly on my bikini line and inner thighs. It was a source of routine embarrassment for me, with flare ups being nearly out of control during the middle of my period cycle. My husband was constantly recommending ways of getting rid of my problem to no avail. I'd been madly exfoliating, using various cleansers, and even taking medications and nothing was working for me.

I honestly thought African Black Soap was strictly for people of African decent. I know that sounds silly to some people, but I thought because I'm white, I couldn't try it. One day, on a whim walking through Target, I came across Shea Moisture's bar soap and decided to give it a try. I was already in love with their Organic Raw Shea Butter Lotion, and I love organic and natural products period.

I can honestly say I wasn't excited about the smell, and I'm still not. I can definitely say that it leaves a slight residue on my skin that I'm not in love with either. But within one day of using this soap, all of the tiny zits on my legs and in other areas began to dry up. As long as I use this on a daily basis, I have zero body acne. I'll gladly put up with having to routinely clean out brown schmutz in my shower from the soap scum left from this stuff. Who cares about the smell, the feel, or the look of this product if it works? I sure don't! I just rub on some delicious smelling lotion post shower and I'm as happy and bump free as can be! Thank God for Shea Moisture African Black Soap!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lawmn on 11/9/2011 10:55:00 AM more reviews by lawmn

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

This is my first review of a product on this sight, but I felt like I should share. I purchased this product to use on my face since I have had a lifelong battle with acne. I will never use it on my face again..it scalded my face. I am sure that there was probably a reaction with another product I was using at the time, but the reaction was so bad that I am not willing to give it another chance.
However, I have discovered by accident that this is one of the BEST makeup brush cleaners I have ever used. This soap removes ELDW, Revlon Colorstay and any other long lasting makeup I use. I wet the brush then swirl it around on the soap..then work into a lather..rinse, repeat if needed then let dry. I have also used this soap on a washcloth and used it to clean makeup off my counter tops and sink. It does alot more than just wash your face. I would buy it again as a cleaner.

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mistyfi77 on 10/27/2011 12:06:00 PM more reviews by mistyfi77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

After reading about this soap and how much it helped people with dry, but acneic skin... I decided to try it since the price wasn't that bad. What can I say, I WISH I WOULD HAVE TRIED THIS YEARS AGO! After the first wash, yes the first, my skin did not feel tight, or dried out. The next morning, my face actually felt "calmer". Not red, tight, or aggravated. And the zits that I did have were actually somewhat smaller and less red. Today is the third day of using this soap, along with the Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus lotion afterwards, and so far I am extremely happy! My flakiness around my nose and forehead have diminished greatly!!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MissJuliB on 7/7/2011 2:46:00 PM more reviews by MissJuliB

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

After using this for over a month, I feel like I can give it a fair review. I really, really like this stuff. I am so happy I stumbled upon it at Target and decided to give the weird looking stuff a try. For the last 6 months, I had been breaking out on my back which I later found out was due to PCOS and too high testosterone level. Being in my late 20s, it's made me feel so embarrassed to wear tank tops, bikinis, etc. I was to the point of trying ProActiv body wash, but happened to walk down the Target special soaps aisle and saw this strange bottle of black goo. I picked it up and read the ingredients which all sounded interesting and probable that they might help. So at $9.99, I decided to give it a try. I was to my breaking point. I bought that bottle and a long loofah on a stick. My backside has really cleared up! It was not an overnight thing, but I could notice a difference within a week's time of use. I'm not (knock on wood) getting the under the skin painful break outs and it has made my skin feel so much better. I have been recommending it to other ladies and they have also commented on how well it works. If you are at your wits end, like I was...give this stuff a try.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

imergo on 4/12/2010 8:06:00 PM more reviews by imergo

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Several months ago, the skin on my forehead freaked out. It was so sudden I thought it was a rash brought on by an allergic reaction to some new product, so at first I treated it with hydrocortisone cream, but more and more pimples kept forming. Over the next few months, I tried everything: Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick, Origins Spot Remover, Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask, aspirin mask, Noxema, oil cleansing, Aquaphor, Clearasil, Egyptian Magic, lemon juice, cider vinegar toner, Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, Neosporin, everything. I was considering ordering Coastal Scents African Black Soap when I came across this soap at Target. Like the first reviewer, I thought this couldn't be "real" African black soap because it's in a bar form, but it was $4 so I picked it up.

I never considered cleansers to be capable of treatment, since they're on the skin for so little time, but the acne started drying up and healing within a few uses of this soap. I haven't washed my face with anything else for two months, and the skin on my forehead is finally back to normal. Now to find something to fade these scars...

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kamee on 6/14/2009 8:53:00 PM more reviews by Kamee

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this soap from Target for around 6 dollars. What it says: "African Black Soap, made from palm ash, tamarind extract, tar and plantain peel has been used in Africa for centuries to treat eczema, acne, oily skin, psoriasis, and other skin ailments. Combined with healing and hydrating properties of Shea Butter, this healing soap should be used daily to balance and resolve problem skin. Tested on our family for four generations. Never tested on animals."


What it says sounds great, however I don't really enjoy using this soap because it leaves a nasty film on my skin. I hate soaps that leave residue, it's just gross and breaks me out. Any soap that leaves behind a film on my skin gives me breakouts on my face, including LUSH cleansers.


I originally bought this soap for my acne because I hear real African black soap can help with that, but after doing my research, all say that any African Black Soap that is black and hard are not real African Black Soap and this is literally black and hard like a regular bar soaps. Real African Black Soap is not black, it's more of a yellow brown, soft in texture, and does not come in bar form, rather, it comes in a tub and is crumbly. Since this does not agree with my acne prone skin, I use this for my body. It does smell good and it leaves a very nice scent in the bathroom. I'm trying out Nubian Heritage bar soaps next since people say it doesn't leave a waxy film.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No