Black Soap Pros
All natural
Affordable
Effective

Black Soap Cons
A bit drying on the hair
Scalp was oily the next day

Shampoo Pros
Affordable
Effective

Shampoo Cons
Can be drying to the hair
Usually has sulfates (unless labeled as sulfate free)


I've tried Raw African Black soap for my face and scalp. My face loves it (especially when I follow up with shea butter) but it may be too drying for my scalp and hair. It cleaned my scalp well but I think it may have done too good of a job. My scalp produced even more oil than usual as punishment, so I was back to square one.

I'll just stick to using sulfate-free shampoos. It may not necessarily be completely natural but it's what works better for my hair.

Price: $9-$11
My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Description:
SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus sulfate-free shampoo for thick, curly hair gently cleanses and detangles hair. This special blend of nourishing Silk Protein, hydrating Coconut and Neem Oils helps restore moisture, body and shine for bouncy, healthy curls.

Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Dacyl Glucoside (Coconut Oil), Cocos Nucifera(Coconut) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Vitamin E, Melia Azadirachta (Need ) Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (Coconut Oil),Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Rosemary Extracts, Silk Protein, Proprietary Essential Oil Blend, Guar Gum, Stearic Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract *Certified Organic Ingredients.

Review:
I don't know when I will learn my lesson that my hair and scalp love 2 different kinds of product. My hair loves this shampoo but my scalp hates it. Since shampooing is mainly for the scalp, I guess my scalp's opinion wins out.

My hair strands feel clean and not stripped. However, this shampoo doesn't clean my scalp very well. After 2 applications it still feels oily/waxy. I ended up just using my usual shampoo, making this product pretty useless for me.
 Other reviews of this product are stellar but I have to assume they have a scalp that needs moisture.

Bottom Line:

Useless shampoo for me but probably ideal for those with a drier scalp.

Price: $20
My Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

Product Description:

We have updated our formula for a better consistency while still giving you the gentle cleansing you want! Your hair is left feeling lightly conditioned after use, not dry. Formulated with Silk Amino Acids and Green Tea extract to help provide shine to the hair, while Vitamin B5 aids in moisturizing your curls. Yummy Coconut Scent and still Sulfate-Free formula!


Ingredients:

WATER/AQUA/EAU, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM LAURYL GLUCOSE CARBOXYLATE, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, BRASSICA ABYSSINICA (ABYSSINIAN) OIL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, SILK AMINO ACIDS, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TETRASODIUM EDTA, FRAGRANCE/PARFUM, BENZYL BENZOATE, CITRIC ACID.

 
Review:

This product is probably really effective, but just not on my scalp. The shampoo is very runny and hard to spread, so my scalp is not able to get clean even after a second application.
According to other reviews, the problem is common so this shampoo may not be appropriate for people who have dense hair, an oily scalp, and/or dandruff issues. This is because this cleanser will not be sufficient to get the scalp and hair clean.
On the plus side, the positive reviews have said that it works really well and fits into certain hair care regimens so it may just work out in the end.

Bottom Line:

This may be okay for fine-haired people looking for a very gentle cleanse, but if you regularly need a good cleansing, skip this product.