African Black Soap comes from western Africa, but the ingredients are widely available in the U.S. and other countries. Recipes for African Black Soap vary, but the soap typically contains some combination of Shea bark or butter, palm oil from coconuts, and plantain skins. African women prepare the soap by burning various barks and leaves of plants in a kettle, hand-stirring the mixture for hours or days, and then curing the soap for two or more weeks. Each tribe has its own specific recipe, and the color of African Black Soap differs depending on the region in which it is prepared. The soap is an excellent exfoliant and moisturizer, and is ideal for use on most skin types. Below is a recipe for African Black Soap using palm oil from coconuts. An alternative is to purchase a bottle of palm oil in any local store and use that instead.