Greetings Tribe!
The days are getting warmer and longer. The sun is shining brighter. Birds are chirping louder, and our skin is ready to break free of that access sebum and dead skin that has accumulated all winter. With spring and summer approaching, we want our skin to not only feel soft, but we also want our body to glow like the final level in The Last Dragon. So far, we’ve discussed everything from body butters, (Meet the Buttas) oils, (Meet the Oils) and aloe, rose water and charcoal, Charcoal, and Aloe, and Roses…Oh My!). Next, we will focus on the benefits of some of the personal favorites in the ShéButta Shop my spring/summer skin care regimen: African Black soap, and the benefits of salt and sugar for exfoliation.
African Black Soap
This dark brown or black colored soap originates in Western Africa, more specifically, Nigeria and Ghana. It was sold by Yoruba women who also sold peppers in Ghanaian villages. The Ghanaian people called the Yoruba merchants “Alata Samina” which translates as “The Pepper Traders’ Soap”. When it comes to removing dry skin and unclogging pores, ABS is a champion among soaps. Despite its name, it is suitable and effective for ALL skin colors. With ingredients like palm kernel oil, roasted plantain skin, and water, this organic soap detoxifies and helps to clear up eczema, psoriasis, oily skin, acne breakouts and evens lessens hyperpigmentation. Some darker, artificially dyed versions of the soap can leave residue in your tub and on your skin, but the organic version from ShéButta Shop leaves no residue and it’s slippery texture feels great and produces an excellent lather!
Salts of the Earth: Dead Sea, Epsom, & Himalayan
Dead Sea salt derives from, you guessed it, the dead sea! Although anyone associates salting the earth with death of plant life, Dead sea salt is full of minerals like calcium, zinc and potassium. It’s abrasive properties and gentle texture make it ideal for sloughing off dead skin on feet, hands, elbows and knees. Dead Sea salt also helps to combat cell oxidation, which eliminates free radicals.
Epsom
Our good and reliable friend Epsom salt has been around for our grandparents, parents and us. It’s a compound that comes from magnesium and sulfate deposits in distilled water. It’s great to soak in and soothes aching joints and muscles. It is also great to relieve poison ivy, insect bites, eczema and sunburn. Your body also absorbs the magnesium and sulfate minerals which can help to calm inflammation and give you any of those minerals you have lost. Epsom salt was discovered in Epsom, Surrey, England which is where its name derives. It is relatively inexpensive to purchase at home and is worth its weight in health benefits.
Himalayan? I See You Playa
Himalayan Pink Salt knows it’s in charge with so much multitasking power, it’s not to be ignored. Pink Himalayan salt is rich in the minerals potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium, which gives it its pink color. Because these are minerals that the body rarely gets, Pink Salt in a body scrub not only softens and smooths rough skin but the minerals are absorbed into the skin for great health benefits. Essential oils can also be added for calm and balance.
Black Salt
Himalayan black salt, also known as Kala Namak, is native to India, and has similar traces of mineral to pink salt but is more sulphurous and a little pungent. Black salt also has less sodium and is alkaline which helps bring the body’s acidic level in balance. The potassium also has properties that assist with relaxing muscles and reducing cramps, as well as the absorption of other minerals.
Sugar, Baby!
Sugar is another all natural exfoliant that is great for lip, face, and body scrubs. Sugar has a rough, yet gentle texture that allows it to scrub and then melt away and rinse off easily with water. It is also inexpensive to make at home. Unlike salt scrubs, sugar scrubs can be used on your face and body. Sugar scrub brightens skin and contains glycolic acid which is good for your body and offers protection for your skin. Sugar is also a natural humectant that helps retain moisture while also unclogging pores. Also compared to salt, sugar granules are much smaller and so they are less harsh on delicate facial skin.
Check out our shop and keep a look out for butters, oils, scrubs and soaps for the best skin ever!
Warm Regards!
Dannielle
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