While we are continuing with filming project, we’ve also been progressing with our TAMA shea product line. Finally, we’ve closed in on our final formula for our black soap. Like developing any product, it’s been a series of trial and error but its yielded a great outcome…and we managed to keep to our intention of it being 100% natural, including it’s fragrance from essential oils.
Black soap is a traditional soap in west Africa but I’ve seen so many different variations that it makes me think there is no singular agreed upon formula for a truly “authentic” black soap. So the environments and available resources of those environments vary, so do the inputs in the soap. But there are some staples that are always present that give black soap is unique “black” nature, which is found primarily in the use of cocoa pod ash (which substitutes for a lye), palm kernel oil, honey and coconut oil. The combination is highly medicinal and considered an effective antiseptic, claimed effective in the treatment eczema, body acne and blemishes, but often made in a way that is at the cost of moisture. Many manufactures have added aloe vera (also a fan) but it still doesn’t prevent a noticeable loss in moisture that stands up to the soap. So, we’ve compensated with the most effective (and healing) moisturizer in nature’s inventory, and in our savannah backyard, raw unrefined shea butter. It’s a perfect solution. We added the maximum amount of our own premium quality shea while still preserving an intensely rich creamy lather (I hope pictures speak for themselves!). TAMA black soap is scented with a combination of lavender, lemon grass and eucalyptus for a sweet and earthy aroma with a bright citrus top note.
The women working at our processing center have already taken over the manufacturing of the soap so they can hit market as soon as the boxes are printed. I am really anxious to see how it takes to the local market. So far, our trials have been positive, but I am curious to see how it will compete with the cheap petroleum based beauty products mostly from Asia. Anything that is foreign sees to be better than a locally made alternative. So we are kinda up against a cultural mindset but quality is a standard that also speak for itself…and I think we have reason to be hopeful.
While we are continuing with filming project, we’ve also been progressing with our TAMA shea product line. Finally, we’ve closed in on our final formula for our black soap. Like developing any product, it’s been a series of trial and error but its yielded a great outcome…and we managed to keep to our intention of it being 100% natural, including it’s fragrance from essential oils.
Black soap is a traditional soap in west Africa but I’ve seen so many different variations that it makes me think there is no singular agreed upon formula for a truly “authentic” black soap. So the environments and available resources of those environments vary, so do the inputs in the soap. But there are some staples that are always present that give black soap is unique “black” nature, which is found primarily in the use of cocoa pod ash (which substitutes for a lye), palm kernel oil, honey and coconut oil. The combination is highly medicinal and considered an effective antiseptic, claimed effective in the treatment eczema, body acne and blemishes, but often made in a way that is at the cost of moisture. Many manufactures have added aloe vera (also a fan) but it still doesn’t prevent a noticeable loss in moisture that stands up to the soap. So, we’ve compensated with the most effective (and healing) moisturizer in nature’s inventory, and in our savannah backyard, raw unrefined shea butter. It’s a perfect solution. We added the maximum amount of our own premium quality shea while still preserving an intensely rich creamy lather (I hope pictures speak for themselves!). TAMA black soap is scented with a combination of lavender, lemon grass and eucalyptus for a sweet and earthy aroma with a bright citrus top note.
The women working at our processing center have already taken over the manufacturing of the soap so they can hit market as soon as the boxes are printed. I am really anxious to see how it takes to the local market. So far, our trials have been positive, but I am curious to see how it will compete with the cheap petroleum based beauty products mostly from Asia. Anything that is foreign sees to be better than a locally made alternative. So we are kinda up against a cultural mindset but quality is a standard that also speak for itself…and I think we have reason to be hopeful.
