NEW YORK — Alaffia has launched its Authentic African Hair Care collection. Suitable for all hair types and textures, the cruelty-free products harness the curative powers of African Black Soap, made from a centuries-old recipe of handcrafted shea butter and Orangutang-safe West African palm oil from the Alaffia Village women-led cooperatives in Togo, West Africa. The new Authentic African Black Soap offerings consist of shampoos and conditioners that address two specific hair concerns: scalp health and extra moisture.

Made for both men and women seeking an effective natural alternative to nourishing scalp care, the Authentic African Black Soap Scalp Care Shampoo & Conditioner work to improve scalp health for a variety of conditions, while also creating an ideal environment to support strong, healthy hair. Detoxifying, clarifying and soothing African Black Soap gently cleanses and cares for both hair and scalp and is enhanced with a blend of carefully selected natural ingredients including Charcoal, Tea Tree oil, unrefined Neem oil, African Mint extract and Peppermint oil, all of which remove dead skin, excess oils and product build up.

To gently cleanse and care for dry, thirsty hair, the Authentic African Black Soap Extra Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner replenishes frizzy strands while promoting healthy shine and softness. African Black Soap’s benefits are intensified with ethically sourced Baobab and Coconut oil, wild harvested Honey and fair trade Shea Butter, which revitalize hair and intensely moisturize. The Authentic African Hair Care collection is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial color and synthetic fragrance.

“African Black Soap is powerhouse ingredient that is ideal for a holistic beauty regimen given its significant benefits for overall scalp and hair health,” said Lanaia Edwards, VP of Global Marketing. “As a leader in African Black Soap innovation for almost two decades, we formulated our new hair care collection with this restorative indigenous ingredient through local resources and traditional handcrafting techniques that preserve its efficacy.”

African Black Soap is made by women-led cooperatives in West Africa through a natural process in which saponification is reached by adding potash to the hot oils, then cooking it for six hours. The last step is curing the soap in the sun for three weeks. African Black Soap is then shipped to Alaffia’s U.S. headquarters where it is used in the manufacturing of its collection. Alaffia then takes then funnels proceeds from the purchases of its products to its Empowerment Projects in West Africa, including Maternal Care, Education, Reforestation and Regenerative Agriculture.

Alaffia Authentic African Hair Care collection is available at Whole Foods, Walmart, independent health food stores, natural grocers and Alaffia.com.