African Self-Care practices that transform your daily routine
Get your Rest and Relaxation with a contemporary
African flavor and flair.
African civilizations have demonstrated a special relationship with nature, as reflected by their uncanny ability to create some of the most fantastic locally sourced cosmetic products and healing rituals. Take your nighttime beauty routine up a few notches with tested and trusted methods with contemporary practices and products of African origin that you can incorporate today. These will leave your hair and body looking healthy and radiant and you feeling younger within a short period.
African Black Soap
The African Black Soap is made from plantain barks and palm tree leaves and makes a great natural alternative to chemical-based cosmetics. African black soap consists of shea butter as well as many healthy oils. If you ever needed a reason to try out this product, you should know that It is regarded to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and help to reduce acne.
You could use the African Black Soap to wash off any dirt on your face and leave your skin feeling revitalized. In fact, you could even mix it up with some honey if you experience any dryness while using just the soap.
African Massage Therapy
Massages have always been a popular activity among many indigenous African tribes. It is widely agreed that massages reduce stress, increase blood circulation, and help relieve muscle soreness. Different variations of this practice, such as the Senegalese damp massage for newborns, the Congo massage, and the Vunkuwa massage, have evolved over time, using various herbs and essential oils to relax, refresh and revitalize the body. In certain parts of Africa, massages are a vital part of a fattening ritual which is used to prepare women for marriage. For example, the Efik, Ibibio, and Kalabari tribes practice this massage using oils and native chalk.
You could try out any of these massages with baobab oil, moringa oil, or aloe vera to enjoy their healing effects. For instance, you could experience the Vunkuwa massage, a full-body treatment that originated in South Africa and consists of several techniques, including applying pressure to the spinal region and carefully rubbing both legs in a fast-paced manner. The Vunkuwa massage will undoubtedly provide you with a great experience.
Argan Oil
Argan oil produced from the Argan trees, widespread across several cities in Morocco, has been used for decades as a beauty treatment for male and female hair and skin. It is highly rich in essential vitamins and fatty acids, making it an excellent choice for incorporation into your nighttime beauty routine. Argan oil which can be added to your soaps, moisturizers, shampoos, hair creams or to your bath water, has some amazing effects including acne reduction, sun protection, and anti-aging.
Shea Butter
Identified by several names such as Ori and Kpakahili, this fatty semi-solid substance is made from shea tree kernels native to over 15 African countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Sudan. Shea butter makes for the perfect nighttime ointment because, it is appropriate for any skin and hair type. It absorbs quickly into your skin or scalp and has an amazing moisturizing effect. In addition, it is widely believed to have anti-aging properties thanks to the abundance of naturally occurring vitamins A and E, which are highly potent antioxidants.
Honey Baths
Popular folklore has it that honey baths were one of the secrets behind Cleopatra's beauty, so elevate your experience and rather than have regular baths, try a honey bath instead. Honey has excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties and a smoothening effect on the skin. If you want to spice things up further, you could add some essential oils to provide extra nourishment for your skin cells. Lavender and neroli are deeply calming, while ginger is warming. Essential oils should be added to a bath in a carrier such as honey or milk and not added directly into bath water, Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on use and performing a patch test on your skin before adding to the bath water to check for any reactions is advisable.
Rooibos Tea
This herbal tea is from the leaves of Aspalathus linearis, a leguminous plant found in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Rooibos tea is a non-caffeinated herbal beverage and has been found to have several benefits for both hair and skin. It is rich in minerals such as zinc and calcium and contains many antioxidants that can help prevent hair loss and make your skin look younger. Rooibos tea is a fantastic alternative to green or black tea if you need a quick relaxing drink before bed.
Exfoliation Rituals
For centuries, Africans have used various natural products to clear dead skin cells and brighten their overall appearance. These locally produced body scrubs have remarkable effects and produce smooth, glowing skin. A popular method of exfoliation among some countries in West Africa involves creating exfoliating mesh sponges from the insides of coconut husks. This method has gained massive popularity due to its ability to scrub parts of the body that would normally be hard to reach.
To replicate African exfoliation rituals, you could use sugar or a combination of sea salt and African black soap. Regular exfoliation with these items will help eliminate ingrown hairs that could cause bumps on your face or skin and make you look more radiant.
Final Takeaway
The African concept of self-care includes any activity that promotes the wellness of the spirit, soul, or body. Hence, beauty rituals and locally sourced cosmetic products have been a part of African self-care culture for several decades. You, too, can begin incorporating these practices into your routine. So, how about you give it a try?
Self-care is not Selfish but an act of Self-love that is necessary.
