How to Use Batana Oil, Shea & Black Soap | Luxe Essentials

The Luxe Essentials

How to use your Luxe Essentials

Step-by-step guides for using batana oil, shea butter, African black soap and more, with tips for every hair type. Tap a product to open its instructions.

The full ritual

Using more than one product? This is the order that works best.

  1. CleanseAfrican Black Soap with the Net Sponge
  2. MoisturiseBody Butter or Shea Butter on damp skin
  3. NourishBatana Oil for your scalp, hair and dry spots

Heat-Extracted Batana Oil

Our traditional, undiluted batana. Rich and thick, in a jar.

It's naturally firm at room temperature and melts as soon as it meets warm skin. How you use it depends on your hair type.

Thick or coarse hair: daily leave-in moisturiser

  1. Warm a small amount between your palms until it melts into an oil.
  2. Massage a little into your scalp with your fingertips.
  3. Smooth the rest through your lengths and ends.
  4. Leave it in. There's no need to wash it out.

Use daily. Start with a little and add more only if your hair drinks it in.

Fine or thin hair: pre-wash treatment or deep conditioner

  1. Before washing, warm a fingertip-sized amount between your palms.
  2. Section your hair and massage it into your scalp for 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Smooth what's left along your lengths and ends.
  4. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight under a satin bonnet.
  5. Shampoo out, then condition as normal. You may need two washes.

Use 1 to 2 times a week. Leaving it in can weigh fine hair down.

For skin

Warm a small amount and press it into dry areas like elbows, knees, heels and cuticles.

Good to know

  • The strong, earthy, nutty scent is natural. It's a sign the oil hasn't been diluted.
  • Its colour and texture can vary slightly between batches.
  • It can mark fabric, so use an old towel and protect your pillowcase.

Cold-Pressed Batana Oil

A lighter liquid in a dropper bottle. Easy for regular use.

Shake the bottle gently before use. How you use it depends on your hair type.

Thick or coarse hair: daily leave-in moisturiser

  1. Apply a few drops directly to your scalp and massage in.
  2. Rub 2 to 3 drops between your palms and smooth over your lengths and ends.
  3. Leave it in. There's no need to wash it out.

Use daily.

Fine or thin hair: pre-wash treatment or deep conditioner

  1. Before washing, section your hair and apply 5 to 10 drops to your scalp.
  2. Massage in with your fingertips for a few minutes, then smooth a few drops over your ends.
  3. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight under a satin bonnet.
  4. Shampoo out, then condition as normal.

Use 1 to 2 times a week.

For skin

Massage a few drops into damp skin after bathing, or mix a drop into your body butter.

Good to know

  • It may turn cloudy or thicken in cold weather. Stand the bottle in warm water for a few minutes.
  • Dark Nutty has a richer scent. Lightly Scented is softer and more subtle.

Heat-extracted

Thick and rich. The most intensive option, especially for thicker hair.

Cold-pressed

Light and liquid. Absorbs quickly and feels lighter on the hair.

Anhydrous Body Butter

Our own formula, made without water. A little goes a long way.

  1. After your shower or bath, pat your skin until it's just damp.
  2. Warm a small amount between your palms.
  3. Massage into your skin, focusing on drier areas.
  4. Give it a few minutes to sink in before dressing.

Good to know

  • It softens in warm rooms and firms up in the cold. Both are completely normal.
  • Always use dry hands so no water gets into the jar.

Pure Unrefined Shea Butter

Raw shea from Ghana, for skin, hair, lips and hands.

  1. Take a small amount and warm it between your palms until soft.
  2. Apply to dry skin, or use as an all-over body moisturiser.
  3. For hair, smooth a little over your ends after your leave-in to seal in moisture.
  4. For lips and cuticles, use a tiny amount whenever needed.

Good to know

  • It can feel slightly grainy. That's natural with temperature changes and it melts straight into skin.
  • Its natural colour ranges from ivory to pale yellow, with a light nutty scent.

African Black Soap

Traditional bar soap from Ghana for face and body.

  1. Wet your hands or your Net Sponge.
  2. Rub the bar against them to build a lather. Don't rub the bar directly on your face.
  3. Massage the lather over your skin for 30 to 60 seconds.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  5. Moisturise straight away with Body Butter or Shea Butter.

Good to know

  • New to black soap? Use it on your face 2 to 3 times a week at first, then build up.
  • Keep it on a draining soap dish. It softens if left sitting in water.
  • Cut the bar into smaller pieces and use one at a time so it lasts longer.

Liquid African Black Soap

The same cleanse in an easy liquid form.

  1. Shake well before use.
  2. Pour a few drops for your face, or about a teaspoon for your body, onto wet hands or your Net Sponge.
  3. Lather and massage over your skin.
  4. Rinse thoroughly and moisturise.

Good to know

  • It's concentrated. For a gentler cleanse, mix it with a little water in your palm first.

African Net Sponge

A long, stretchy exfoliating sponge for the body.

  1. Soak the sponge fully in water.
  2. Lather it up with African Black Soap.
  3. Stretch it out, hold one end in each hand and scrub your back, shoulders and body like a towel.
  4. Rinse well, squeeze out the water and hang it up to dry.

Good to know

  • It's for the body only. It's too firm for your face.
  • For a gentler scrub, bunch the sponge up instead of stretching it.
  • It dries quickly and lasts for months when rinsed after every use.

Safety & care

  • For external use only.
  • Patch test before first use: apply a little to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours.
  • Avoid contact with your eyes. If it happens, rinse well with water.
  • Stop using any product that causes irritation.
  • If you have known allergies, including nut allergies, or a skin condition, check with a pharmacist or GP first.
  • Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and keep out of reach of children.

Questions about your products? We're always happy to help.

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