Activated charcoal, also called activated carbon, is a fine black powder made by heating common charcoal to create lots of tiny internal spaces or pores that trap chemicals. This pure black powder, used in gas masks and water purifiers, is also available in capsule form and is a popular ingredient in many skincare products.

You don’t need to spend a lot on pricey lotions and creams to benefit from the detoxifying effects of activated charcoal. Keep reading to learn how and why to include activated charcoal in your beauty routine.

9 Reasons To Add Activated Charcoal To Your Beauty Regimen

1. An All-Natural Ingredient
Many beauty products contain numerous chemical additives that can harm your skin and overall health. Unlike these products, activated charcoal is natural and won’t add to your body’s chemical load. It’s less likely to cause adverse reactions, making it a safer choice.

2. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Activated charcoal has antibacterial and antifungal qualities, making it great for skin and hair care routines. Research shows it can even destroy harmful bacteria like E. coli.

3. Unclogs Pores
Activated charcoal is excellent at clearing pores of impurities that cause blackheads. It absorbs oil, debris, and pollutants, leaving your skin smooth and your pores visibly refined. If any charcoal residue remains, it can be easily removed with steam or a warm washcloth.

4. Balances Oily Skin
People with oily skin can use activated charcoal masks or washes to draw out excess oil. It’s best to use it once or twice a week to avoid over-drying your skin.

5. Gently Exfoliates
Many exfoliators contain plastic pellets that harm the environment. Activated charcoal’s texture makes it a gentle, natural exfoliator that doesn’t damage the planet. It removes sebum and dead skin cells while preventing skin infections. Mix it with honey or jojoba oil for dry skin, or add sugar or salt for a stronger scrub. Essential oils can enhance its antibacterial properties.

6. Whitens Teeth
Activated charcoal can be used with toothpaste or on its own to naturally whiten teeth by bonding to substances that stain them, like coffee, red wine, and plaque. It’s gentler than many store-bought whitening products, but be sure not to overuse it or scrub too hard.

7. Soothes Bug Bites and Irritation
Activated charcoal can help with irritated skin from bee stings, poison ivy, or bug bites by drawing out toxins and reducing pain and swelling.

8. Cleanses Hair
It deep cleans hair, removing toxins and odors, making it ideal for those with medium to oily hair. Adding a capsule to your shampoo will leave your hair feeling very clean. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly.

9. Reduces Dandruff and Heals Scalp Conditions
Activated charcoal can help with dandruff caused by fungal infections and oily skin. Rub some into your scalp before shampooing or mix it with your regular shampoo. However, if your dandruff is due to dry skin, this treatment might not be suitable.

17 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 and kill bacteria causing blemishes.
– Pore Minimizing Mask: Uses charcoal, bentonite clay, and Matcha green tea powder for an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory detoxing mask that reduces pore size and regenerates skin cells.
– Homemade Facial Cleanser: A gentle exfoliating cleanser that kills bacteria and removes impurities while moisturizing, made with coconut oil, activated charcoal, baking soda, lavender oil, and rosemary oil.
– Foaming Facial Scrub: A natural toner, scrubber, and grease fighter with rose water, activated charcoal, water, liquid castile soap, and lavender essential oil.
– DIY Charcoal Pore Strips: A simple recipe using gelatin and activated charcoal to draw out impurities and blackheads.
– Non-Toxic Eyeliner: Made with coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and activated charcoal, this eyeliner also doubles as a cream eyeshadow.
– Eye-Friendly Mascara: A natural mascara with coconut oil, aloe vera gel, beeswax, and activated charcoal that darkens, separates, and conditions lashes.
– Teeth Whitener: Just apply activated charcoal to your toothbrush, dab it on your teeth, let it sit for three minutes, and then rinse off.
– 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: Blend activated charcoal with a liquid of your choice, like orange blossom or rose water, herbal infusion, or oil for dry skin.
– Tinted Slick Eyebrow Gel: Enhance your brows with a gel made from aloe vera, cocoa powder, activated charcoal, and vitamin E oil.
– Tea Tree Charcoal Soap: A detoxifying soap made with shea butter soap base, 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 natural shampoo for product build-up or itchy, flaking scalp made with baking soda, borax, activated charcoal powder, and water.
– Activated Charcoal and Salicylic Acid Dandruff/Acne Mask: A multi-purpose mask for acne and dandruff with aspirin, raw honey, and witch hazel.
– Black Salve for Bug Bites: A remedy for stings and splinters 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.

Want to try activated charcoal for yourself? Pick up a jar of Activated Charcoal Powder from Amazon.