Activated charcoal is a very popular skin care ingredient, widely used in beauty masks, face and body scrubs, cleansing soaps, toothpastes, and shampoos among others. The black color gives this ingredient a mysterious aura, and most probably many of you don’t really know what activated charcoal actually is and what exactly it can offer to your skin. The truth is that it has multiple benefits and strong detoxifying and absorbing properties, making it ideal for your skin care. In this article you will learn everything you need to know about this amazing ingredient!
What is activated charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a natural ingredient derived by burning and processing various natural materials, such as bamboo and coconut shells. It is a smooth, odorless, black powder with amazing health properties and skin care benefits. Let us find out more about the skin benefits of activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal benefits for the skin
Deeply cleanses the skin
Activated charcoal is a natural exfoliant. It removes dead cells and lets the skin “breathe” again. At the same time it boosts cell renewal and leaves the skin smooth and radiant. What makes activated charcoal so special, is that it is highly absorbent. It acts like a magnet, attracting and absorbing toxins, pollutants, and dust from the skin. It cleanses enlarged pores and prevents the formation of blackheads. Additionally, activated charcoal reduces sebum production, breakouts and inflammations.
The most commonly used cleansing products with activated charcoal are soaps and cleansing mousses. Though scrubs and beauty masks have the same cleansing properties. Soaps can be used on a daily basis, while scrubs and masks are ideal for use 1-2 per week. It is recommended that you apply a moisturizing products afterwards to prevent dry skin and offer your skin nourishment and moisturization.
Improves the appearance of your skin’s pores
Activated charcoal beauty products are ideal for the care of your skin’s pores. But first, let us bust a very common myth: Facial pores don’t open and close. The size of your pores is genetically determined and you cannot change their structure. What actually happens, is that various factors affect the way your pores look, making them appear larger and less attractive. The most common factors are not taking proper care of your skin, being exposed to sun without protection, having bad habits like smoking, living or working in polluted areas et al. The skin type is also a very important factor, as people with oily skin tend to have larger pores. And as we have already noted, you cannot change the size of your pores, but you can approve their appearance by making them look smaller.
Activated charcoal is highly absorbent and thus ideal for your skin care. When sebum, dirt, and makeup collect on your skin’s surface, a clog is formed. Clogged pores then expand and tend to be more visible. Activated charcoal absorbs all these impurities, deeply cleansing the pores and making them look smaller.
Balances oily skin
Genetics, hormonal imbalances, bad habits and false skincare can lead to excessive production of sebum, which usually causes oily skin. Oily skin appears shiny, thick, heavy and eventually unattractive. Additionally excess sebum and sweat combine with dead cells, and block your pores, causing breakouts and acne. Blackhead tend to appear and the skin’s texture gets rough and uneven.
Activated charcoal products are suitable for all skin types, but extremely effective for oily skin. They reduce the production of excess sebum and balance oily skin. Additionally, since activated charcoal has strong antibacterial properties, it fights acne, prevents breakouts and keeps the skin clean and healthy.
Tightens the skin
The benefits of the use of activated charcoal are multiple. Apart from deeply cleansing the skin, it increases blood flow and makes the skin look plumper. It boosts cell renewal and helps with the reconstruction and rejuvenation of the skin, making it look younger, and removing signs of aging like fine lines. The deep cleansing of the pores makes the skin smoother and evens its texture. Additionally, as the pores get rid of all kinds of impurities, the skin care products you apply next (serum, cream, etc.) get easily absorbed and their active ingredients penetrate deeper delivering all nutrients and vitamins to the skin.
It is suitable for the care of the scalp
Excess sebum combined with sweat and pollutants can negatively affect your scalp too, and lead to irritations, itching and various skin problems, such as dry skin and dandruff. Hair care products with activated charcoal effectively cleanse your scalp without disturbing its natural pH and without removing its essential oils. Furthermore, as activated charcoal has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, it helps in the treatment of dandruff and prevents infections and inflammations.
If you enjoy making DIY care products, you can make your own scalp scrub by following this easy recipe:
Scalp scrub with activated charcoal
Ingredients
2 tbsp. activated charcoal powder
2 tbsp. coconut oil
3-4 drops tea tree essential oil
Procedure
Mix all ingredients together until you get a paste. Apply on your head and gently massage for 5 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water. Wash your hair as usual.
If you are interested in activated charcoal beauty products, take a look here.
