Authentic African Black Soap Triple Milled - Hemp Olive Leaf

Description

Triple milled for a long-lasting, ultra-moisturizing soap. Alaffia’s Authentic African Black Soap is likened to the home remedies of Togolese mamans. It’s made from a centuries-old ​ r ecipe of handcrafted fair trade and unrefined shea butter and Orangutan-safe West African ​palm oil†, and enhanced with hemp oil and olive leaf. Saponification is reached by adding potash (made from plantains and leaves) to the hot oils, ​and then cooking it for six hours. The last step is curing the soap in the sun ​for three weeks, resulting in a gentle and effective cleanser that clarifies and softens skin. This sulfate-free soap is suitable for any skin type, even the most sensitive. Hemp Olive Leaf is a distinctive, pleasing earthy aroma with citrusy bright top notes and herbaceous olive leaf, true to the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. † Our natural West African palm oil is grown and harvested by small-scale farmers in the Maritime region of Togo, from the town of Tsevie to Kpalime. The oil is extracted by our Fair Trade cooperative in Sokodé using traditional methods. When palm oil is grown as an industrial plantation crop, such as in Indonesia and Malaysia on newly cleared rain forests or peat-swamp forests rather than on already degraded land or disused agricultural land, it can contribute to the endangerment of animals such as the Orangutans. However, this is not the case with the small farms that we receive our palm oil from in Africa. Oil palms are native to West Africa and have been grown as part of multi-cropped sustainable small farms for centuries. Furthermore, it is important to point out that Orangutans do not exist at all in Africa.

Specifications

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the key ingredients in Alaffia black soap?

A: The soap contains unrefined shea butter, West African palm oil, hemp oil, olive leaf, and potash (made from plantains and leaves). These ingredients are combined using a centuries-old Togolese recipe and triple milled for enhanced effectiveness and long-lasting cleansing power.

Q: Is this soap safe for sensitive skin?

A: Yes, this sulfate-free soap is suitable for any skin type, including the most sensitive. The formula uses gentle, natural ingredients like shea butter and olive leaf to clarify and soften skin without harsh chemicals that might irritate.

Q: What does the Hemp Olive Leaf scent smell like?

A: It has a distinctive earthy aroma with bright citrusy top notes and herbaceous olive leaf undertones. The scent profile is true to Mediterranean origins, combining the natural aroma of hemp with the herbal character of olive leaf for a balanced, pleasing fragrance.

Q: How much does this soap bar weigh?

A: The net weight is 5 ounces (140 grams). This triple milled formulation creates a long-lasting bar that's designed to provide extended use despite its modest size, with efficient lathering from the carefully processed soap structure.

Q: Is Alaffia black soap fair trade certified?

A: Yes, this soap is Fair Trade certified. It's made from palm oil grown and harvested by small-scale farmers in Togo's Maritime region using traditional extraction methods by a Fair Trade cooperative, supporting sustainable livelihoods and ethical sourcing practices.

Q: How is this soap made and cured?

A: The soap is crafted using saponification—adding potash (made from plantains and leaves) to hot oils and cooking for six hours. The final step involves sun-curing the soap for three weeks, creating a gentle, effective cleanser that develops optimal skin benefits through this traditional process.

Q: What skin benefits does this black soap provide?

A: The soap clarifies and softens skin. The combination of shea butter, hemp oil, and olive leaf works together to remove impurities and cleanse the skin while maintaining hydration and providing a gentle conditioning effect suitable for daily use on all skin types.

Q: Is the palm oil environmentally responsible?

A: Yes—the West African palm oil is grown on small, multi-cropped sustainable farms where oil palms are native, not on newly cleared rainforests or peatlands. The cooperative uses traditional methods in Togo's Maritime region, avoiding the environmental damage associated with industrial plantation palm oil in Indonesia and Malaysia.