SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Cleanser Review

SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Balancing Cleanser is the most widely available black soap product in the world — stocked in Target, Walmart, CVS, and most supermarkets. But how does it actually perform? We tested it for 8 weeks on combination and acne-prone skin.

Ingredients & Authenticity

This is not a raw, traditional black soap — it is a formulated product that uses black soap extract alongside modern cosmetic ingredients. The ingredient list includes African black soap, plantain extract, shea butter, and oat protein, but also sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (a milder synthetic surfactant) and fragrance. It is closer to a black-soap-inspired cleanser than the real thing.

That said, the formula is significantly gentler than most drugstore face washes and does not contain parabens or sulfates.

Lather & Feel

Lathers easily, feels creamy rather than squeaky-clean. The bar holds together well — better than raw soap — and lasts around 4–5 weeks with daily use for two people.

Results After 8 Weeks

Visible reduction in surface breakouts by week 3. Skin felt balanced rather than stripped. Did not significantly improve deeper cystic acne. Two of our testers with dry skin found it slightly drying used daily — every-other-day use was better for them.

Our Verdict

The best option if you want a reliable, affordable, widely available black soap product. Not the most authentic, but consistent and effective for most skin types. A great entry point before moving to raw soap.