Often times, the ingredients that work best on our skin are the ones that are natural and activated charcoal is undoubtedly one of them.
Activated charcoal is a combination of carbon-rich materials—such as bone char, coconut shells, and olive pits—that is turned into a fine, black powder after being exposed to high temperatures.
In recent years, it’s become a popular ingredient in various beauty products such as whitening toothpaste, hair masks, and even daily vitamins, but it’s most notable and popular usage is in skincare.
And while it’s super tempting to chalk this up to nothing more than a well-intentioned trend, there are actually a few powerful characteristics that make the ingredient worth considering. Here are 3 major benefits of activated charcoal for skin.
Works to cleanse and remove impurities.
Activated charcoal works to remove the impurities from your skin by pulling dirt and bacteria to the surface so that it can be easily removed.
By doing so, it offers a deep cleanse that aids in preventing small breakouts, rashes caused by product buildup, eczema, and infections from bacteria such as staphylococcus and escherichia coli.
The best way to reap the benefits of activated charcoal is through using a simple face mask like the SkinActive Black Peel-Off Mask with Charcoal by Garnier or even utilizing bar soaps and liquid cleansers like Biore Deep Charcoal Cleanser in your daily or weekly skincare routine.
Has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
While the cleansing properties help prevent mild and severe skin issues, the antifungal and antibacterial properties help effectively treat them.
Leaving bacteria and fungus on your skin can result in everything from a harmless pimple to a full-blown infection like ringworm or chronic acne.
Using activated charcoal inhibits bacteria and fungus from further growing on your skin—essentially nipping the problem in the bud, and ushering in your skin’s healing process.
To reap the full benefits of activated charcoal, make sure you’re working with clean hands, new or clean towels and skin care tools, and practicing overall good hygiene when it comes time to actively work on your skin.
Activated Charcoal is Effective for problematic skin types.
Those of us who struggle with either super oily or chronically dry skin know that finding a product that works for us can be a bit of a hassle.
More often than not, we’ll have to add a plethora of products to our routines to get the results we desire.
Activated charcoal is one of the few ingredients that will help get the job done—no matter how many problems your skin is having at the time, or how severe those problems are.
For oily skin, activated charcoal has absorbent properties that work to manage the oil on your skin by effectively treating clogged pores.
Not only is it oil-balancing, but it will work to get rid of the breakouts that may accompany excess oil.
For dry skin, charcoal is a light exfoliant that removes dead skin cells that is getting in the way of you properly hydrating and moisturizing.
This is a major benefit because removing layers of dead skin aids in combating wrinkles, dullness, and a rough texture on the surface.
Need Product Ideas? Check out two below:
Julep Konjac Sponge Face Charcoal Exfoliating Konjac Root
According to Forbes Konjac sponges (made from yam-like plants) are all the rage in Japan and Korea, and it’s easy to see why.
These natural sponges are softer than other face wash tools and perfect for sensitive skin. Konjac sponges gently exfoliate skin, and the added charcoal draws out additional impurities. The end result? Soft, radiant skin.
HERBIVORE – Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap
According to Sephora, this product is a gentle yet effective soap designed to exfoliate oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types.
Solutions for:
– Acne and blemishes
– Redness
– Pores
If you want to know more…
Formulated with bamboo charcoal, this soap bar draws out impurities and toxins from deep within your pores with its powerful absorption properties.
It deeply cleans while naturally exfoliating the skin for a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.
Have you introduced activated charcoal within your skincare routine? Comment your favorite products below.
