Activated charcoal offers numerous benefits for all skin types. This highly porous ingredient effectively removes dirt, toxins, and excess oil, helping to enhance skin texture, tone, and overall appearance. When used in moderation, it purifies and gently exfoliates without compromising the skin barrier.
Discover ten benefits of activated charcoal for the skin and learn how to incorporate it into your skincare regimen.
10 Skin Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a potent cleansing and detoxifying ingredient that can be applied topically to all skin types. Its exceptional adsorbing power makes it effective in drawing out built-up toxins, dirt, and other impurities and alleviating skin inflammation.
Here are the biggest skin benefits you can reap from consistent use of activated charcoal.
Deeply Cleanses the Skin
Activated charcoal’s porous structure allows it to bind dirt, excess oils, chemicals, and toxins from deep within the skin. Thanks to its strong adsorbing properties, it is a popular ingredient in face washes, scrubs, exfoliants, soaps, and toners that deeply cleanse, unclog pores, and remove trapped impurities.
Aids in Reducing Acne
Acne develops when dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog the pores. Activated charcoal can reduce the appearance of blackheads and blemishes by unclogging pores and adsorbing excess oil (sebum), dirt, and bacteria. Its antibacterial properties help reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling, and prevent future breakouts and irritation.
Note: Learn more about what causes acne to learn how to minimize potential flare-ups.
Reduces Oiliness and Shine
Activated charcoal has exceptional decongesting and shine-controlling properties. It regulates excess sebum production, reduces surface greasiness, and leaves the skin with a smooth, matte finish. By soaking up excess oil, activated charcoal enhances product absorption, allowing the skin to receive all the essential nutrients from other skincare products. The result is a clear, shine-free complexion.
Improves Skin Texture
Activated charcoal helps minimize the appearance of small bumps and enlarged pores by removing dead skin cells, dirt, and other pore-clogging impurities. With regular use, it may also soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. However, scientific evidence supporting its long-term anti-aging effects remains limited.
Brightens the Complexion
A 2021 study found that a 25% concentration of activated charcoal has a significant brightening effect on the skin of the hands. It helps reduce dullness without irritation or disrupting the skin’s pH balance. Activated charcoal can clarify skin tone and enhance overall radiance by removing built up surface impurities, leaving the complexion fresh and luminous.
Soothes Irritation and Bug Bites
Activated charcoal can soothe skin irritated by mosquito bites or bee stings by reducing swelling, redness, discomfort, and irritation in the affected area. Apply a small amount of activated charcoal to the affected area and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
Detoxifies the Skin
Activated charcoal is considered a powerful skin antioxidant, thanks to its ability to bind toxins and remove them from the skin’s surface. While not a traditional antioxidant in the sense of neutralizing free radicals, activated charcoal helps to remove pollutants and toxins that contribute to oxidative stress, thus supporting skin's natural antioxidant defenses. It offers a gentle detox and prevent infections by drawing out bacteria, environmental pollutants, and other irritants.
Activated charcoal’s detoxifying properties may also help alleviate the symptoms of eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. However, more research is needed to confirm its therapeutic effectiveness.
Gently Exfoliates the Skin
Activated charcoal is a natural exfoliant that offers a gentle alternative to harsher cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, especially for sensitive skin. It gently sloughs away dead skin cells, refines pores, and softens rough patches.
For optimal results, use it regularly on rough skin areas and pair it with hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and aloe vera.
Promotes Wound Healing
Activated charcoal has been used for centuries to heal wounds, treat infections, and calm irritated skin. Its porous texture allows it to trap bacteria, toxins, and other harmful substances, helping to disinfect the affected area. Its mild anti-inflammatory effects can reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort, making it beneficial in managing minor cuts, scrapes, rashes, and other skin irritations.
Soothes Sunburns
Activated charcoal can also relieve sunburn symptoms such as redness, swelling, tenderness, itching, and peeling. Its soothing properties help alleviate discomfort while supporting the skin’s natural healing process.
Note: Learn about the importance of sunscreen and why you should use it daily.
Is It Safe to Use Activated Charcoal Every Day?
Dermatologists do not recommend using activated charcoal every day as it can strip the skin of its natural oils and trigger irritation, dryness, redness, and barrier damage.
Depending on your skin type, you can apply it up to three times a week or as little as twice a month. Bear in mind that activated charcoal absorbs natural oils and may dehydrate the skin if used excessively.
Here is the recommended frequency of using activated charcoal for different skin types:
- Oily, acne-prone skin – Twice or three times a week is considered safe.
- Dry or sensitive skin – Apply every ten to fourteen days, depending on your skin’s response. Always perform a patch test before applying it to larger areas to minimize the risk of irritation.
- Normal or combination skin – Once or twice a week is well-tolerated by most combination skin types, but it’s still best to perform a patch test before applying a larger amount.
Always choose products that combine activated charcoal with other gentle, hydrating ingredients to prevent irritation. Our skin experts recommend Vibrant Mud, a clarifying clay mask with bentonite clay, kaolin clay, and activated charcoal.
This powerful trio deeply cleanses the skin, unclogs pores, and brightens the complexion. Its microbiome-friendly botanical blend contains probiotics that soothe and nourish the skin, helping to maintain its optimal flora.
Note: Learn more about kaolin clay benefits for the skin.
Conclusion
Activated charcoal boasts powerful purifying properties and brings a wide range of benefits for the skin, from deep cleansing to wound healing. However, experts advise using it in moderation and choosing microbiome-friendly formulations to promote long-term skin health and a radiant complexion.
Learn more about our new Vibrant skincare line and contact our team of professionals with any questions.
