Skin experts recommend activated charcoal for its potential cosmetic benefits, which range from reducing oiliness to alleviating dermatitis. There are no large-scale studies to support these claims yet. However, anecdotal evidence shows the ingredient’s effectiveness in improving skin tone and texture.
This article focuses on activated charcoal for the skin and recommends how to use it for the best results.
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a fine black powder derived from carbon-rich substances. It is used for various purposes in industrial and medical applications, especially in emergency rooms to treat poisoning. Cosmetic professionals view it as a potent cleansing and detoxifying ingredient.
Activated vs. Regular Charcoal
Charcoal is made from burning various organic, carbon-rich materials like wood, peat, coal, and nutshells using high temperatures and no oxygen. Charcoal can contain impurities like ash and tar.
Activated charcoal is made by further processing charcoal. It is heated at even higher temperatures, involving steam or chemical activation. The process creates many microscopic pores in the substance, significantly increasing its surface and giving it a high adsorbing potential. This means activated charcoal can bind toxins and impurities to its surface, removing them from the body and skin.
Benefits of Activated Charcoal for the Skin
Activated charcoal is a popular ingredient in beauty products, from soaps and shampoos to cleansers and face masks. Users report the following benefits of using charcoal-infused skin care:
- Deeply cleanses the skin – Activated charcoal’s porous structure and adsorbing capacity enable it to trap toxins and other impurities from deep skin layers, unclog pores, and thoroughly cleanse the skin.
- Removes excess oil – Activated charcoal helps remove dirt, sebum, and excess oil from the skin, resulting in a healthier complexion.
- Helps heal wounds – It has been used throughout centuries to treat infections and heal wounds.
- May help reduce acne – Dirt, sebum, oil, and other impurities that clog pores and lead to inflammation and breakouts. By clearing impurities and unclogging the pores, activated charcoal may reduce acne and blemishes.
- May help brighten the skin – A buildup of dead skin cells and impurities on the skin’s surface leads to a dull complexion. Activated charcoal helps clear the skin tone and provides a fresher, radiant look.
How to Use Activated Charcoal for Skin Care?
Activated charcoal is an effective ingredient for people with oily, acne-prone skin and uneven tone and texture. Various beauty products contain this ingredient, including soaps, face washes, cleansers, pore strips, face masks, serums, and moisturizers. Follow the instructions for use on the product label.
Our skin experts at Vibrant Skin recommend Mud, a clarifying clay mask from the new skincare line, Vibrant. Mud is infused with activated charcoal, bentonite clay, and kaolin clay to deeply cleanse, detoxify, and make the skin glow.
How Often Should You Use Activated Charcoal?
Users can incorporate cleansers, serums, and moisturizers with active charcoal in their daily skincare regimen.
Face masks with this ingredient should be used two or three times a week to avoid stripping the skin of essential oils.
To ensure the best results, use the product according to instructions on the product label.
Activated Charcoal for the Skin: Risks and Side Effects
Limited studies show activated charcoal is safe for topical use. It rarely causes adverse effects. Some people experience excessive skin peeling after using a peel-off mask with activated charcoal. The ingredient can also cause irritation and allergies in sensitive skin.
DIY Activated Charcoal Recipes
People who want to save money or avoid potentially harsh skincare ingredients in store-bought products can make their own activated charcoal skin care at home.
The following recipes require only a few ingredients and guarantee the product doesn’t contain preservatives, perfumes, and synthetic agents.
1. DIY Activated Charcoal Cleanser
You’ll need:
- 1 ½ teaspoons of activated charcoal powder
- 1 cup of organic coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 5 drops of rosemary oil
Preparation:
Mix the coconut oil (in liquid state), baking soda, and charcoal powder in a bowl. Add lavender and rosemary oils and mix well. Pour in a container of your choice – preferably a glass or some other BPA-free jar.
How to use:
Dampen your face with warm water. Apply a small amount of cleanser on your face and massage gently for a minute or two. Rinse with warm water or remove the product with a washcloth. Continue with your regular daily skin care (toner, moisturizer, sunscreen).
2. Activated Charcoal Face Mask
You’ll need:
- 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder
- 1 teaspoon of bentonite clay
- 2 teaspoons of water
- ½ teaspoon of raw honey
- 1 drop of lavender oil
Preparation and how to use:
Mix lavender oil and water in a bowl. Add bentonite clay and let it absorb. Add activated charcoal powder and raw honey. Mix all ingredients. Once the paste has reached an even consistency, apply it on a thoroughly cleansed face. Leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Conclusion
Activated charcoal is increasingly popular because of its proven detoxifying effects and skin-enhancing potential. Look for products with charcoal and other nurturing ingredients, such as microbiome-friendly probiotics and neuro-cosmetic botanicals.
Shop Vibrant Skin’s new collection of products that increase the skin’s innate ability to protect itself and support natural beauty.
