Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap Review

Alaffia is a fair trade company sourcing directly from Togo, West Africa. Their Authentic African Black Soap is one of the few mass-market products that genuinely uses traditional processing — and you can tell the moment you open the box.

Ingredients & Authenticity

Ingredient list: raw African black soap (plantain ash, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, cocoa pod ash, shea butter, water). That is it. No synthetic surfactants, no fragrance, no preservatives. This is as close to a traditional Ghanaian/Togolese formula as you will find at this price point.

Texture, Scent & Lather

Dark brown, uneven, slightly crumbly — exactly what authentic black soap should look like. The scent is earthy and smoky, natural and faint. Lathers moderately — not as rich as formulated soaps, but the lather is real saponified oil rather than synthetic foam.

Results After 8 Weeks

Excellent for oily and acne-prone skin. Three testers reported noticeably clearer skin by week 4. One tester with eczema reported reduced itching and redness. Works well as a body wash too. Dissolves faster than commercial bars — a proper soap dish with drainage is essential.

Our Verdict

The best authentic African black soap you can buy without sourcing directly from West Africa. Fair trade, genuinely traditional formula, and it works. Our top overall pick for anyone serious about real black soap.