My Honest Review of Our Earth’s Secrets Raw African Black Soap (2025)

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When I first came across Our Earth’s Secrets Raw African Black Soap, I was immediately drawn to its promise of being an authentic, handmade cleanser straight from Ghana. As someone who has always been intrigued by traditional skincare rituals, I wanted to see whether this raw, unrefined bar could live up to its heritage and the growing hype surrounding African Black Soap. What I discovered is that this soap is both fascinating and challenging—deeply effective in some ways, but also demanding in how it must be used and handled. It’s not your typical bar of soap, and that’s both its greatest strength and its biggest hurdle.

Unlike sleek, perfumed commercial bars, this one is unapologetically raw, brownish, and uneven, with a natural earthy scent that speaks of its roots. It’s marketed as 100% natural, made traditionally from cocoa pod ash, unrefined shea butter, and oils like palm kernel and coconut. And while that authenticity gives it a strong appeal, it also means you need to understand what you’re getting into before making it part of your daily routine.

Packaging

The first thing I noticed was the minimal packaging—or rather, the lack of it. Our Earth’s Secrets sells this soap as a bulk raw block, not as a polished bar ready to display on your bathroom shelf. The brand doesn’t specify the wrapping material, which makes it hard to judge its recyclability or sustainability. My order arrived in a simple plastic wrapping with a small label listing the ingredients and country of origin.

Visually, it looks very different from the uniform, jet-black bars that are often marketed as “African Black Soap” but are actually processed and colored versions. The rough, lumpy brown texture immediately conveys that this is the real thing—authentic and handmade. It’s sold in blocks of 1 lb up to 10 lbs, so if you’re used to small soap bars, the sheer size might surprise you. The block feels heavy and dense, which also means you’ll likely need to cut it into smaller portions for daily use. While this format works beautifully for people who enjoy customizing and storing their own soap portions, it might feel cumbersome for someone expecting convenience.

One safety note worth highlighting: the label explicitly warns not to rub the bar directly on the skin, as the small ash particles in it can cause irritation. This is one of the few soaps where the directions are absolutely crucial to follow.

Ingredients

One of the reasons I was drawn to this soap is its simple, all-natural ingredient list. It typically contains unrefined shea butter, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, cocoa pod ash (or potash), and water—with no synthetic fragrance, colors, or preservatives. These ingredients have been used for generations in West Africa for their skin-conditioning, cleansing, and healing properties.

However, as I dug deeper, I discovered a small but important issue: the ingredient lists vary slightly across different retailers. Some listings include plantain skin ash and natural vitamin E, while others do not. It’s unclear whether this is due to inconsistent labeling or formulation differences, but it does create a small trust gap for consumers who expect transparency from natural brands.

Despite this inconsistency, the core formula is undeniably traditional. The soap’s high shea butter content gives it moisturizing properties, while cocoa pod ash acts as the natural alkali that transforms oils into soap. This traditional saponification process results in a naturally alkaline pH (around 8–9.5), which helps it clean deeply but can be drying for some skin types.

It’s also worth noting that the soap is not certified organic or Fair Trade, nor does it carry any cruelty-free logos like Leaping Bunny. The company claims to source ingredients sustainably and avoid child labor, but these are trust-based declarations rather than verified certifications.

Scent

Although the product is marketed as unscented, that doesn’t mean it’s odorless. The natural ingredients—especially roasted cocoa pods and unrefined shea butter—lend the soap a distinct earthy, smoky aroma. It’s the kind of scent that feels grounding and natural, not perfumed or synthetic. I personally find it pleasant, though I can imagine some people might find it too raw or unusual at first.

If you’re sensitive to strong fragrances, this soap is actually a good option, since it contains no added perfumes. But if you expect a luxurious or floral scent, this one might disappoint. I’d describe the smell as rustic and natural—very much in line with what you’d expect from something handmade and minimally processed.

Lather and Application

Using this soap correctly makes all the difference. The brand is very clear: do not apply the bar directly to your skin. Instead, you’re supposed to rub it on a washcloth, sponge, or loofah to create a lather, and then use the foam to cleanse your skin. This method is non-negotiable, because the soap contains tiny ash particles that can be abrasive if applied directly.

When used properly, the soap produces a rich, creamy lather—not overly bubbly, but substantial enough to feel cleansing. The texture of the lather is surprisingly smooth, and a small amount goes a long way. It rinses cleanly, although in areas with hard water, it can leave a faint residue due to the natural oils and minerals.

The overall application experience feels more ritualistic than routine. You can’t just grab the bar and rub it all over like you might with a store-bought soap. It takes a little extra effort and patience, which I actually enjoy because it makes me more mindful of the process. But it’s definitely not the most convenient choice if you’re always in a hurry.

Effectiveness

This is where Our Earth’s Secrets Raw African Black Soap truly shines—and also where it becomes polarizing. Its deep-cleansing ability is undeniable. The combination of natural oils and ash-derived alkali effectively removes dirt, oil, and even makeup residue. I found it particularly effective on my back and chest, where it helped reduce small bumps and clogged pores after a few weeks of use.

However, I wouldn’t recommend it for the face unless you have oily, resilient skin. Because of its high alkalinity, it can strip the skin’s natural oils and disrupt the protective barrier, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. Even the brand advises caution, which I appreciate. I always follow up with a moisturizer immediately after washing, which helps counteract any tightness.

For body care, though, this soap is fantastic. It leaves my skin feeling exceptionally clean, soft, and refreshed without any sticky residue. Over time, I noticed a more even tone on my arms and shoulders, likely due to the mild exfoliating properties of the ash particles in the lather. Some users even report that it helps with acne-prone skin or keratosis pilaris, and I can see why.

If you have eczema or very dry skin, though, I’d suggest either using it occasionally or skipping it altogether. The soap’s raw nature can be too strong for delicate skin types.

Size and Lifespan

One of the most appealing aspects of this soap is how much product you get for the price. It comes in bulk sizes from 1 lb up to 10 lbs, making it ideal for long-term use or for families. Because it’s naturally soft, it can dissolve quickly if left sitting in water. The best way to make it last is to cut off small pieces and store the rest in an airtight container. When stored properly, the soap can last for months—or even years—without losing effectiveness.

This longevity makes it incredibly cost-effective, especially when you buy the larger sizes. The bulk format also fits well for people who like to portion out their own skincare products or make DIY mixtures using African Black Soap as a base.

Brand Reputation

The brand behind this product, Our Earth’s Secrets, focuses on simple, natural formulations. They describe their mission as bringing “the best natural products into the US,” and they emphasize that their black soap is made in Ghana using traditional methods. While their website claims sustainable sourcing and fair practices, these are self-declared statements, not third-party verified certifications.

Still, the brand has earned a small but loyal following online, with users appreciating its authenticity. In skincare forums and reviews, it’s often mentioned among the more trustworthy raw soap options. It’s a niche brand, not a mainstream one, and it seems to cater to customers who value transparency and minimal processing over fancy marketing.

Price and Value

Price-wise, the soap starts around $15.95 for a 1 lb block and drops significantly in price per pound when you buy larger sizes—down to roughly $6 per pound for a 10 lb block. That’s excellent value compared to competitors like SheaMoisture or Mary Tylor Naturals. Given its long shelf life and the fact that a little goes a long way, it’s one of the most economical natural soaps I’ve used.

What makes the value even better is that the brand offers free shipping from its own website. There are no subscription plans or fancy bundles, but the straightforward pricing and bulk discounts make it easy to stock up.

Availability

You won’t typically find this soap in local stores—it’s mostly sold online. The easiest place to get it is directly from the brand’s website, though it’s also available on platforms like Walmart, eBay, and Sears. That said, stock availability can fluctuate, and I’ve noticed that some third-party listings occasionally go out of stock. If you plan to repurchase, ordering from the brand’s own site is usually the most reliable option.

Overall Rating

It loses a few points for convenience and lack of certification transparency, but it easily earns them back through purity, performance, and exceptional value. If you’re seeking a truly raw, traditional soap that connects you to centuries-old skincare wisdom, this one is absolutely worth a try.