These are my top 5 traditional African beauty products.
1. The Pumice Stone
This stone can be found in most African households. It is an exfoliating "stone" that is often used on the body to exfoliate and on the feet to remove hard calloused skin. The best thing about growing up in Africa is that this stone is free, you can potentially find your perfect exfoliating pumice stone in your back yard.
2. African black soap
African black soap is often made from plant extracts. It is a gentle cleansing soap that is used on the whole body including the face and the hair. African black soap has so many benefits which include treating acne, eczema, reducing dark spots and evening out the skin.
3. Shea butter
Shea butter is made from the nut of the African shea-karite tree. It comes in different grades from raw unrefined shea butter to processed shea butter. It is often used a body and face a moisturiser. It can be used to soothe and treat dry skin as well as even out uneven skin tone. Most natural girls use it on their afro hair as a leave in conditioner.
4.Malura oil
Malura oil comes from the African Amarula tree. It has a high content of oleic acid and palmitic acid fatty acids that are essential in promoting healthy skin by maintaining the skin's barrier and reducing water loss from the skin. Malura oil has a high vitamin C content, 4 times more vitamin c than oranges so it also works as a powerful antioxidant.
5.Boabab oil
This one is special to me because my grandma used to have a huge Boabab tree in her back yard, back in Zimbabwe. Boabab oil is high in antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E so it protects the skin and reduces signs of ageing. It also contains fatty acids which reinforce the barrier of the skin so it can be used as a powerful moisturiser.
Whats your favourite traditional beauty remedy ?comment below.
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