Before I was a formulator, I was an observer. In sixth grade, my friend Stacey and I would watch as her mom performed her nightly skincare ritual, using a striking, black bar of soap on her face. She moved slowly and intentionally—like skincare was a kind of ceremony. The black soap felt dramatic, elegant, and powerful.
Years later, that memory guided me to create Osmia’s Black Clay Facial Soap. What started as an homage became something much more—something that changed my own skin and now helps thousands of others.
How This Bar Helped My Perioral Dermatitis
When I first tested the Black Clay Facial Soap, I was deep in the trenches with perioral dermatitis—a stubborn, frustrating condition with multiple causes that can be very challenging to treat. I’d tried everything, from prescription creams to natural remedies, with no real success.
But within a few days of using the Black Clay Facial Soap, my skin began to calm. The redness faded, and the bumps softened. Skeptical, I stopped using it. The dermatitis came roaring back. I started again, and it improved again. That’s when I knew this bar wasn’t just a nod to a memory—it was something special.
What Makes It Different From Drugstore “Soap”
Let’s clear something up: when dermatologists tell you not to use “soap” on your face, they’re usually talking about commercial soap. These mass-produced bars often have the natural glycerin removed and contain harsh surfactants that strip the skin barrier and leave your face tight, dry, and irritated.
Osmia’s Black Clay Facial Soap is a different category entirely. It’s a cold process, handmade bar, which means it retains its naturally occurring glycerin—a humectant that draws moisture into the skin. The result? A creamy, non-stripping, glycerin-rich cleanser that supports your skin’s integrity instead of sabotaging it.
The Ingredients Your Skin Will Love
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Dead Sea Mud – Rich in sulfur, which is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It helps reduce redness and supports blemish-prone skin.
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Black Clay – A gentle, mineral-rich detoxifier that doesn’t over-dry like charcoal can.
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No Charcoal – While charcoal is popular in skincare, it can be too drying for daily use. This bar cleans deeply without compromising your barrier.
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Olive, Almond, and Avocado Oils – Moisturizing, skin-supportive oils that leave your face soft and nourished—not tight and dry.
Who Is It For? (Spoiler: Almost Everyone)
Over 1200 five-star reviews speak for themselves—please go scroll through the reviews here! But here are the skin types we see it helping most:
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Perioral Dermatitis – Especially helpful if you’re trying to avoid or wean off of topical steroids or antibiotics.
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Acne-Prone Skin – Works well when acne is present all over the face, as well as when it's localized to the chin or jaw areas.
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Eczema-Prone – Supports the barrier while gently cleansing and reducing flaking.
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Mature and Normal Skin – For those who want a clean that doesn’t dehydrate.
It’s one of those rare products that builds a genuine cult following—and deserves it.
How to Use Black Clay Facial Soap
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Prep: Wet the bar and your face with warm (not hot) water.
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Lather: Rub the bar vigorously between your hands for about 15 seconds until you get a rich, creamy lather.
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Cleanse: Massage the lather onto your face for 30–60 seconds, avoiding the eyes initially. At the end, you can gently wash over your closed eyes to remove sunscreen or makeup.
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Rinse: Use warm water to rinse thoroughly.
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Dry + Moisturize: Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and apply your moisturizer or oil immediately.
If you’re dealing with perioral dermatitis, follow with Purely Simple Face Cream.
If your concern is acne, try Balance Facial Serum on damp skin instead.
When to Use It
Start with once a day—preferably at night, to remove sunscreen, makeup, and environmental grime before bed. Remember, you’re sleeping on the same pillowcase for 6–7 nights, so clean skin before bed is crucial.
If your skin loves it, feel free to use it twice daily, or keep it as your evening cleanser and use our Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser in the morning for a softer start.
Care Tips: Keep Your Bar Soap in Good Shape
This bar is dense, but it still needs to dry between uses to last. We recommend:
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Osmia Soap Saver – Helps your bar dry thoroughly and stay firm.
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Osmia Soap Travel Bag – Skip the plastic travel cases and baggies. They trap moisture and turn your bar into sludge. The travel bag lets it breathe and dry properly.
One bar lasts 3–6 months, depending on how often you use it and how you care for it.
Final Thoughts
This is not just a soap. It’s a skin intervention, a ritual, and a return to simplicity. If you’ve struggled with sensitive, unpredictable skin—or if you just want a cleanser that works without causing chaos—our Black Clay Facial Soap may be your skin’s new best friend.
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.
