Alaffia''s Authentic African Black Soap is made from a centuries-old recipe of handcrafted shea butter and West African palm oil. Saponification is provided by adding ashes to the hot oils, then cooking it for six hours. The last step is curing the soap in the sun for three weeks, resulting in a gentle hand and body wash. In West Africa, black soap is known by it''s Yoruba name, Osse Dudu. Dudu means "black," which comes from extensive cooking of the soap to the point of charcoal. May cultures in West Africa use charcoal to detoxify and purify the skin.