Activated charcoal for beauty: Here’s why you should be using this natural remedy

What is activated charcoal?

The difference between activated charcoal and the charcoal previously mentioned is that activated charcoal has been treated at extremely high temperatures. This makes it more porous and also rids it of any chemical additives or impurities that could harm your skin. While charcoal is one of the most recent beauty trends, it has actually been known for centuries already. Over the years, charcoal has been used for everything from fuel and medicine to filtration and in detox foods and drinks. Here we take a look at just what activated charcoal is, activated charcoal benefits for skin and how you can implement it into your beauty regime.

How does activated charcoal work?

Activated Charcoal is designed to soothe and remove impurities in the skin. It also helps to get rid of any dead skin cells that could cause spots. It essentially works by acting as a toxin magnet, drawing out dirt and oil from your pores. 

What is activated charcoal good for?

Activated charcoal is good for numerous things in the body. From adding to your facial cleansing routine to giving yourself whiter teeth, the number of benefits is impressive. 

Below you will find just a few of the things you can do with activated charcoal.

You can cleanse your skin with it

Activated charcoal is one of the best natural forms of cleanser out there. It is fantastic for removing impurities in the skin, including make-up and any dirt residue that might be clogging your pores. It also brightens your complexion and gives it a healthy refresh when it needs it. You can use a charcoal face wash daily. Simply squeeze a small amount onto your fingertips and apply to wet skin in circular motions. Rinse, dry and follow up with the rest of your normal skincare routine such as a toner and moisturiser.

It can whiten your teeth

There are a host of charcoal toothpaste products out there, and it's often considered a fantastic way to give your teeth a thorough cleanse. It's important to note that you don't want to use charcoal toothpaste every day, as it is abrasive and can therefore wear down your enamel. This could make your teeth feel more sensitive and look yellower than they would otherwise. Charcoal toothpaste has, however, been found to help remove surface stains on your teeth and improve bad breath. For best results, use once or twice a week and a regular toothpaste on the days in between.

It's a great exfoliant

Exfoliation is vital for cleansing your skin and removing any dead skin or debris that could have built up over the day. Charcoal is great when used as an exfoliant, as it acts like a magnet, drawing these impurities out of your skin and lifting them from the surface. What you are then left with, is beautiful soft skin. Be sure to follow it up with a good moisturiser and take care not to exfoliate too often. Once or twice a week is normally the optimum number of times - any more, and you could find your skin dries out.

It can clear up acne

As dirt builds up on your face over the day, it can clog your pores, triggering pimples and irritating your skin. This in turn can lead to an acne breakout. By using a charcoal mask or face wash, the antibacterial properties that it's packed with can lift bacteria and lessen any inflammation. It can also help to remove excess oil from your skin and dry out existing spots. Charcoal also makes your pores smaller, which means it's hard for dust and dirt to get into them, thus reducing the chances of further spots going forward.

It can be a natural deodorant

Deodorant is a necessity in order to keep away unpleasant odours, but finding the right deodorant can be difficult. You want one that leaves no white marks, that lasts a long time and can withstand things such as heading to the gym or being out in warm weather. A deodorant that's made from activated charcoal can be a great choice for this. Charcoal, when activated, is known for its ability to draw out toxins and bacteria. Bacteria are responsible for what we know as the “sweaty” smell  and therefore once they are removed, you'll smell fresh and good as new. 

It’s great for face masks

One of the most popular beauty products that’s formulated with activated charcoal are face masks. As stated above, activated charcoal is able to cleanse your pores and remove unwanted dirt, debris and toxins from your skin. When you apply an activated charcoal face mask to your skin, it's left to work for longer than a face wash, therefore having more of a chance at lifting away impurities. When these impurities are gone, your pores will be unclogged and smaller, and your complexion will look much brighter and healthier. It’s recommended you use a face mask once a week. This is to avoid drying out or being too harsh on your skin, but still enables you to reap all the benefits. 

Is activated charcoal harmful to the body?

Activated charcoal is not harmful to the body, and only if it's over-ingested can it cause possible side effects such as constipation or dehydration. When used in beauty products such as creams, face masks or body scrubs, there aren’t any long-terms effects. The fact it’s not harmful to the body when used this way is a real draw for many. It’s a very gentle and natural cleanser, so can be of real benefit to those with sensitive or dry skin that struggle to find products that don’t cause irritation.

These are just a few of the great ways activated charcoal can be used. One of the oldest and most organic ones out there, it features a host of benefits for your skin. Check out our website to find some of our top activated charcoal products to use.