If the gist of cleansing your face with charcoal sounds a bit absurd, well you would be surprised to know about the magical properties of this detoxifying beauty product. Charcoal is one of the hippest skincare ingredients in the beauty world lately, right from masks, face washes, soaps, scrubs, shampoos, and even toothpaste. Thanks to its incredible adsorptive characteristics, which has the potential to draw out toxins and bacteria from the skin like a magnet.
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Well, charcoal is obtained by burning wood, coal, or coconut shells, but activated charcoal is a fine powder that is produced when charcoal is exposed to intense heat. This process makes tiny internal spaces or holes in the charcoal, making it greatly permeable and has the ability to trap harmful toxins and chemicals. Activated charcoal is like a sponge that sucks up impurities, and oil from clogged pores and also heals wounds. It is available in the form of loose powder and is used widely in soaps, exfoliating scrubs, and hair care products.
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Activated charcoal suits well for oily skin, acne-prone, or combination skin on the T-zone and eases to trap the excess oil and chemicals from the pores, leaving the skin glowing. However, not recommended for dry or sensitive skin as it can further dry it out.
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How To Use?
Activated charcoal powder can be used in cleansers and masks to clear away impurities and leave your skin smoother and clearer. Make a mask by adding a bit of rose water to a charcoal powder and gently scrub your face, allow it to stay for 5 minutes to suck the oil and unclog pores. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and apply gel-based moisturizer.
Here we have listed out some of the amazing benefits of using activated charcoal-based face washes:
Treats Acne
Activated charcoal is valued to be one of the best natural remedies for healing acne. It assists in clearing out the impurities from the skin and combats microbes that are causing acne. Furthermore, it lessens inflammation, leaving the pores clean and acne-free.
Get Rid Of Impurities
Your skin is always exposed to dust, pollution, and other environmental toxins making it oily. Activated charcoal face scrub washes away excess oil from the skin that is clogged in the pores, leaving the face clean, supple, and nourished.
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Detoxifier
Heavy makeup, oil, or other dirt deposited in the skin pores, makes your skin dull. The deep cleansing property of activated charcoal facilitates to removes dead skin cells and cleans the skin from within, giving it instant radiance and fairness.
Removes Blackhead
Activated charcoal-based scrubs are here to rescue you from blackheads, as they have the ability to diffuse deep within the pores and remove all the bacteria and blackheads.
Prevents Sagging Skin
Activated charcoal works wonders in tightening and firming sagging skin. It aids in lessening wrinkles and fine lines, thereby slowing down the signs of premature ageing.
Uses Of Activated Charcoal
Deep Cleansing
Activated charcoal works well to clear off dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin, making it an incredible substance for deep cleansing. It helps unclog pores and detoxify the skin, leaving it clean and refreshed.
Acne Treatment
Activated charcoal is effective in treating acne owing to its remarkable ability to absorb excess oil and impurities. It helps dry out acne and reduce inflammation, making it a key ingredient in acne care products.
Exfoliation
Activated charcoal can also act as a gentle exfoliant, supports to removal of dead skin cells and reveals smoother, brighter skin underneath. It can be used in facial scrubs or masks for this purpose.
Balancing Oily Skin
For those with oily skin, activated charcoal can help absorb excess oil and mattify the skin, giving it a more balanced and less shiny appearance.
Treating Body Odour
Activated charcoal can absorb odours and toxins from the skin, making it a natural deodorant alternative. It can help neutralise body odour and keep you feeling fresh.
References:
Cosmetic uses of activated charcoal
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 8(9):4572, Muhsana Sajjad, Dow University of Health Sciences
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354179810_Cosmetic_uses_of_activated_charcoal
Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face ,Nelson Sanchez 1, Rachel Fayne 2, Brandon Burroway 2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32513407/
