Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Product Overview

This shampoo from Shea Moisture is designed as a deep‑cleansing treatment for the scalp and hair, especially beneficial for those dealing with buildup, oily scalp, flakes or itching. It is part of the “African Black Soap” line, incorporating ingredients such as African black soap, tea tree oil, willow bark extract and bamboo charcoal.  

It is marketed in a 13 oz (~384 ml) size in many markets. 

Key Features & Benefits

Key Features

• Incorporates African black soap base (traditionally from plantain peel/palm ash) combined with bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil, willow bark extract to target scalp‑issues and buildup. 
• Sulfate‑free formulation (in many markets) which helps cleanse without overly harsh surfactants. 
• Designed for scalp health: removal of product/skin buildup, calming of dry/itchy/flaky scalps. 
• Suitable for “all hair types” (but especially those with oily scalp or needing a clarifying cleanse) in many listings. 

Benefits

• Helps clear away buildup, excess oil and residue — leaving the scalp feeling cleaner and less weighed down. User reviews: “very cleaning product… didn’t strip the oils from your hair.” 
• Helps soothe dry, itchy or flaking scalp — many users report reduced itchiness/flakes. 
• Improves hair manageability after the cleanse — hair feels refreshed, the scalp feels “reset”. 
• Good for those who use a lot of styling products, live in polluted/humid environments, or whose scalp tends to feel heavy or dirty quickly.

Specifications

• Brand: Shea Moisture
• Product: African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo
• Size: 13 oz (~384 ml) in many markets.
• Hair/Scalp Type: Designed for all hair types, but particularly beneficial for oily, product‑heavy or scalp‑issue prone types.
• Key ingredients: African black soap base (plantain/cocoa/palm ash tradition), bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), willow bark extract (Salix nigra) among others.
• Formulation: Sulfate‑free (in many markets), claimed to help regulate sebum production, soothe scalp. 

Why Choose This Product?

You might choose this shampoo if you:

• Experience a heavy, oily or product‑filled scalp and want a strong cleanse/clarify.
• Have a scalp that itches, flakes, or builds up quickly and you want a shampoo targeted to the scalp rather than just hair lengths.
• Use styling products often, or live somewhere with hard water/pollution so scalp and hair feel weighed down or “not fresh”.
• Prefer a more natural/clean‑beauty brand with ingredients addressing scalp concerns.
• Want to include a periodic “reset” in your hair system (for example once a week) rather than just a regular everyday gentle shampoo.

It might be less suitable if you:

• Have very dry hair and a dry scalp (since clarifying shampoos can be more drying) — some users report dryness if used too often. 
• Have very fine hair or low‑porosity hair that gets weighed down or tangled easily — you’ll want to ensure you condition lengths adequately.
• Prefer ultra‑frequent washes with extremely mild formulas — this is more of a specialized deep‑clean/clarify rather than gentle daily.
• Are extremely sensitive to certain essential oils (tea tree) or fragrances — some users noted sensitivity.