Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a fine black powder made by heating common charcoal to create numerous internal spaces or ‘pores’ that trap chemicals. This powder is used in gas masks, water purifiers, and skincare products, and it can also be found in capsule form.
You don’t need to spend a lot on expensive lotions and creams to benefit from activated charcoal’s detoxifying properties. Read on to discover how and why you should incorporate activated charcoal into your beauty routine.
9 Reasons To Add Activated Charcoal To Your Beauty Regimen
1. An All-Natural Ingredient
The average woman uses twelve products daily, containing 168 different ingredients, many of which are harmful to skin and overall health. Chemicals on the skin are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s natural filtering mechanisms. Activated charcoal is a natural product that doesn’t add to your body’s chemical load and is less likely to cause adverse reactions.
2. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Activated charcoal has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a great addition to your skin or hair care routine. It has been shown to destroy harmful bacteria like E. coli.
3. Unclogs Pores
Activated charcoal effectively clears pores of impurities responsible for blackheads. It absorbs oil, deep-seated debris, and pollutants, detoxifying the skin and leaving it smooth with visibly refined pores. If some charcoal remains in your pores, it can be removed with steam or a warm washcloth.
4. Balances Oily Skin
Those with oily skin can use activated charcoal as a mask or facial wash to draw out excess oil. To prevent excessive drying, use it only once or twice a week.
5. Gently Exfoliates
Unlike many facial exfoliators that contain harmful plastic pellets, activated charcoal is a gentle, natural exfoliator that doesn’t harm the environment. It removes sebum and dead skin cells while preventing skin infections. Mix it with honey, jojoba oil, sugar, salt, or essential oils for an exfoliator suited to your skin type.
6. Whitens Teeth
Activated charcoal can be used with toothpaste or on its own to gently whiten teeth by binding to stain-causing substances like coffee, wine, nicotine, and plaque. Although it’s abrasive, it’s gentler than many store-bought whitening products, so use it sparingly.
7. Soothes Bug Bites and Irritation
Activated charcoal can alleviate irritation from bee stings, poison ivy, or bug bites by drawing out toxins and reducing pain and swelling when applied quickly.
8. Cleanses Hair
It deep cleans hair by removing toxins and odors, making it especially useful for those with medium to oily hair. Add a capsule to your regular shampoo for squeaky clean locks, and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces.
9. Reduces Dandruff and Heals Scalp Conditions
Activated charcoal can help with dandruff caused by fungal infections or oily, irritated skin. Rub some into your scalp before shampooing, or mix it with your regular shampoo. If your dandruff is due to dry skin, this treatment might not be suitable.
Activated Charcoal Recipes for Face, Skin, Teeth, and Hair
– Blackhead Busting Face Mask: Combines activated charcoal and bentonite clay to draw out dirt and blackheads while killing blemish-causing bacteria.
– Pore Minimizing Mask: Uses charcoal, bentonite clay, and Matcha green tea powder for an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mask that reduces pore size and regenerates skin cells.
– Homemade Facial Cleanser: A gentle exfoliating cleanser with organic coconut oil, activated charcoal, baking soda, lavender oil, and rosemary oil that doubles as a moisturizer.
– Foaming Facial Scrub: A natural toner and scrub made with rose water, activated charcoal, liquid castile soap, and lavender essential oil.
– DIY Charcoal Pore Strips: An affordable alternative to store-bought pore strips, combining gelatin and activated charcoal to remove impurities and blackheads.
– Non-Toxic Eyeliner: A safe eyeliner made with coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and activated charcoal that can also be used as a cream eyeshadow.
– Eye-Friendly Mascara: A natural mascara made with coconut oil, aloe vera gel, beeswax, and activated charcoal that darkens and conditions lashes.
– Teeth Whitener: Simply apply activated charcoal to your toothbrush, dab onto your teeth, let sit for three minutes, then rinse to remove stains.
– Cinnamon & Clove Tooth Powder: A tooth powder made with bentonite clay, calcium powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, cloves, and activated charcoal.
– 2-Ingredient Body Scrub: A simple scrub made with activated charcoal and a liquid of your choice, such as rose water or coconut oil.
– Tinted Slick Eyebrow Gel: A natural gel with aloe vera, cocoa powder, activated charcoal, and vitamin E oil to enhance and control eyebrows.
– Tea Tree Charcoal Soap: A detoxifying soap made with shea butter, activated charcoal, and tea tree essential oil.
– Charcoal and Rose Clay Spa Soap: A two-tone soap with shea melt-and-pour base, activated charcoal, rose clay, and essential oils.
– Clarifying Shampoo: A shampoo for product build-up and scalp issues made with baking soda, borax, activated charcoal powder, and water.
– Activated Charcoal and Salicylic Acid Dandruff/Acne Mask: A versatile mask for acne and dandruff with aspirin, organic raw honey, and witch hazel.
– Black Salve for Bug Bites: A remedy for stings and splinters made with calendula-infused oil, coconut oil, beeswax, bentonite clay, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.
– Black Detox Bath: A purifying bath with Epsom salts, sea salt, charcoal, and essential oils.
Give activated charcoal a try and discover its many benefits for yourself.
