African Black Soap - (Ose Gidi)

 One can easily mistake the magical healing benefits of African black soap for the elixir of youth. With powerful antioxidants, antifungal and antibacterial properties this miracle product is essential to any beauty routine. At LIHA we have taken care to ensure that our Osé Gidi soap is all natural, ethically sourced and handmade with care and tradition at the heart of it.

Our select vegan blend of natural ingredients follow the best kept secrets that are passed down through generations. We use roasted plantain skins as a natural alternative to lye, organic and vitamin A and E rich raw Shea butter coconut and hemp oils to lock in moisture and revitalising moringa powder to enhance the radiance of skin. Another key ingredient is the nutrient rich blackstrap molasses containing lactic acid, which works as an all-natural acne treatment, as well as having incredibly nourishing and skin softening properties; its high in vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium and iron. We’ve added some quintessential British attitude by infusing our soap with the wonderfully fragrant palmarosa oil, which is an antiseptic, antiviral and hydrating essential oil, and a classic rose oil for its soothing effects on irritated skin.  

The traditional procuring of African black soap is done all by hand and recipes can vary from country to country within the continent. Originating from west Africa and colloquially known as sabulun salo, ose dudu and ncha nkota, African black soap is made from the ash of locally harvested plants such as plantain skins, palm tree leaves, cocoa pods and shea tree bark. This natural plant matter is what gives African black soap its signature colour and smell and makes it an excellent exfoliator and cleanser. In places like Ghana it’s traditionally made by women using family recipes and then exported through fair trade groups.

A holy grail product when it comes to soothing the side effects of painful skin conditions such as eczema and acne, African black soap is a gentle cleanser that works by balancing the skin’s ph. without stripping it of important moisture - making it a go to for all skin types, especially dry, combination and acne prone skin. LIHA Osé Gidi soap is perfect for everyday use on the body and we recommend using it twice a week on your face. 

African black soap is an amazing alternative to acne-fighting solutions on the market, which are usually filled with acids and chemicals that can often cause more harm than help. It’s a natural remedy that is very effective when combating the build-up of acne causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, due to the rich phytochemicals and oils derived from the plants. The shea butter element makes it saturated in vitamin E, perfect for reducing any dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by acne and sun damage!

Other benefits and uses of this organic miracle ‘cure’ include:  

• The prevention of razor bumps post shaving or waxing
• It’s hypoallergenic 
• It can be used on the hair to soothe an itchy scalp, due to its antiseptic properties
• Prevents excess sebum from clogging pores 
• Gently exfoliates dirt and dead skin cells whilst reducing signs of aging

Now, we’re no tell-tales but African black soap is a closely held secret which deserves to be shared with the world, and of course our lovely LIHA customers. It’s easy to get caught up with the next market trend or cult beauty product, but nothing beats what nature can offer us, and the offerings are abundant! An enriching formula that seeks to make your skin energised, invigorated and radiant, we shouldn’t have to compromise on quality or results and African black soap has it all.