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Activated Charcoal Benefits And Uses For Skin

by Fashionlady
Charcoal Benefits For Face

Charcoal Benefits For Beauty

Charcoal Benefits | Charcoal Face Mask | Facial Cleanser | Charcoal Pore Strips | Charcoal Body Scrub | Side Effects

Charcoal for skin might sound absurd when you hear it, but the rewarding benefits it brings along is astonishing. Using charcoal on your skin, especially activated charcoal makes your skin glow along with other skin benefits. Each skin problem could be addressed with charcoal in different forms, and all those forms of recipes are available here. Read on to know more about charcoal benefits and uses for skin

The benefits of Activated charcoal are one too many to choose from. When carbon is treated to make the absorbency of itself increase, you get the form of Activated charcoal much needed for our skin. This is why, beauticians and skin aestheticians are swearing by the benefits of Activated charcoal, which we shall even talk about today at length.

What is Charcoal?

Activated charcoal is nothing but common charcoal in the presence of gas, which in turn expands; developing internal spaces. This is what gives activated charcoal the ability to trap chemicals. This kind of charcoal is sans any chemicals, making it suitable for all skin types including sensitive.

For centuries women have been using Activated charcoal charcoal for skin and hair. The beauty benefits of Activated charcoal cannot be undermined when such packs are used.

Now that you understand the concept of charcoal and how it isn’t different from Activated charcoal, here are the benefits for using the same in beauty regimes.

Charcoal for Skin

Here are the Benefits of Charcoal for Skin:

1. Flawless Skin:

Cosmetic companies worldwide have used Activated charcoal as an active ingredient.

  • To begin with, it has more strength when it comes to oil control.
  • Activated charcoal also helps remove dirt, grime and dead skin cells from the deeper layers of the skin.

2. Treats Acne:

Most DIY products and homemade beauty recipes are made from Activated charcoal.

  • Like we’ve mentioned before, activated charcoal absorbs the excess oil from the skin, thus unclogging the pores in turn. This is why; even most acne products available commercially have Activated charcoal in it.
  • It maintains the pH levels of the skin.
  • There are no acne and pimple scars left behind too.

Charcoal Treatment for Acne

3. Shrinks Pores:

Large open pores are an open invitation to pathogenic bacteria; if they set in along with the dirt, grime and the infection, your skin would be infected and you would end up with pus, pustules, pimples, acne, blemishes and more

Face packs and facial scrubs made from Activated charcoal can help reduce the size of the pores, by deep cleaning them and closing them.

4. Treats Oily Skin:

Skin experts would recommend the use of Activated charcoal based face washes, cleansers, lotions and facial scrubs or masks to treat oily skin issues. Activated charcoal when it comes in touch with the skin, would go ahead and vacuum the dirt and grime out of the skin. And this process would thus suck out the excess oil from the skin as well. In the end, you would have a look which is oil-free and without an unhealthy greasy shine too.

5. Gently Exfoliates:

  • If you have an outdoor job and are moving from one place to another, chances are that the dirt, grime and the dead skin cells would settle.
  • Gently exfoliate the skin with activated charcoal and remove the dirt and grime. Activated charcoal acts as an exfoliating agent, that helps brighten the skin, by gently removing all the sediments on the skin.

6. Clears Blackheads:

What are blackheads? Blackheads happen when the dirt and the grime or the dead skin cells enter the hair follicles or the pores and settle there. This doesn’t allow the sebum to flow out and hence a mound is created. This is why estheticians use face packs and scrubs, made from Activated charcoal. The Activated charcoal vacuums and sucks out the dirt from the pores, and gives it a deep cleansing treatment. This leaves behind soft, supple and clean skin with shrunken pores too.

7. Clears Blemishes:

Another benefit of using Activated charcoal would be that it gives you skin sans scars and marks, or blemishes. If you do have scars and blemishes or dark spots behind, the right facial scrub or face pack using Activated charcoal will help fade it away over time.

8. Anti-Agieng:

Activated charcoal can help deal with signs of ageing by boosting blood circulation, enhancing collagen and elastin production; in turn, bringing down issues of ageing, such as skin wrinkles, discoloration and pigmentation, crow feet, fine lines etc.

9. Skin Tightening and Firming:

As we age, the first signs of ageing seen apart from wrinkles and fine lines would be the sagging of our skin. Activated charcoal has been recommended and used by skin aestheticians over decades for tighter and firmer skin to have.

Skin Tightening And Firming With Charcoal

12. Suitable for All Skin Types:

The best part of using Activated charcoal is that it can be used for all skin types. Even if the skin is sensitive, with inflammation and redness, or if you have allergies on the skin, Activated charcoal can be used without any worry. This is why, most medicine companies and cosmetic companies don’t hesitate using Activated charcoal as their main ingredient.

With that, we come to an end explaining the benefits of using Activated charcoal for skin. Now let’s take a look at some of the face scrubs and face packs we can make at home the DIY way, for all skin types and which are easy to use involving Activated charcoal, shall we!

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Some Homemade Recipes of Charcoal for Skin:

1. Charcoal Face Mask

An all rounder charcoal face mask, which helps clean and clear the skin of dirt, grime and pollution, dead skin cells and the tan too!

What all you need:

  • 1 tsp bentonite clay
  • 1 tsp activated charcoal powder
  • 2 tsp water
  • ½ tsp raw honey
  • 1 drop each tea tree and lavender essential oil (optional)

Directions:

  1. Mix water and the essential oil, to which the bentonite clay shall be added and combed into in a mixing bowl.
  2. Wait for ten to fifteen seconds and then add the rest of the ingredients one at a time.
  3. Comb them with a spatula and form a gooey consistency of the same.
  4. Wait for a minute and then apply generously on the face and the neck.
  5. Keep it for half an hour and then wash off with cold water.
  6. Pat dry and moisturize the skin.

How it works:

Bentonite clay acts as an exfoliating agent and removes the toxins from the body. Activated charcoal acts as a detox agent and exfoliates the dirt, grime and toxins from the skin, which can remove excess oil too.

Honey hydrates the skin and balances the pH levels of the skin. Essential oils soothe and heal the skin, while being antimicrobial agents to protect the skin too.

Tip:

Use this charcoal mask the same day and do not store!

Charcoal Face Mask

2. Facial Cleanser

You wouldn’t need to use costly face wash formulas that have chemicals in them, when one made at home with Activated charcoal can work like magic.

What all you need:

  • 1 cup of Organic Coconut Oil
  • 6 Activated Charcoal Capsules
  • 2 Tablespoons of Pure Baking Soda
  • 5 Drops of Lavender Oil
  • 5 Drops of Rosemary Oil

Directions:

  1. Start by chipping away the tabs of Activated charcoal into a powder and empty the remnants in a bowl.
  2. To this add the baking soda and all the oils mentioned, one at a time.
  3. Comb them with a spatula and form a gooey consistency of the same.
  4. Wait for a minute and then apply generously on the face and the neck.
  5. Keep it for half an hour and then wash off with cold water.
  6. Pat dry and moisturize the skin.

How it works:

The DIY charcoal facial formula works on the oil cleansing method, which can be used on all skin types, including oily skin. For extra exfoliation, use a warm towel to wipe the face clean. This helps with exfoliation and also oil pulling, and gently improves blood circulation too, leaving you with soft and very supple skin.

Tip: Coconut oil is the best to use, since it is a hydrant by nature.

Charcoal Facial Cleanser

3. Facial Scrub

Ditch all the OTC chemically infused facial scrubs that do more harm than good, and opt for a DIY facial scrub that can work like magic when using activated charcoal for skin.

What all you need:

  • 1/3 cup organic cane sugar or white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil not an oil “blend.”
  • 2 activated charcoal capsules, about 1/2 tsp of powder
  • 3 drops skin-nourishing oil optional

Directions:

  1. Add activated charcoal and cane sugar in a mixing bowl, and shaking them well with a whisking spoon. This helps the two ingredients combine.
  2. Add the oils next and give it another good shake and mix, and then take a small amount in your palms and apply it on your face.
  3. Wait for a minute and then gently throw cold water on the face to wipe it out.
  4. You need to do this thrice a week to remove impurities and dirt completely from the skin.

How it works:

With activated charcoal used, there is a lot of detoxing that is done and the skincare routine is kept at its prime.

The oils help with healing and soothing the skin, and also protecting the skin because of its antimicrobial properties.

And activated charcoal helps vacuum the dirt and grime out of the skin with each face wash moment.

Tip: Not more than thrice a week for a minute each time this recipe should be used.

4. Charcoal Pore Strips

If you have been buying activated charcoal strips, you now can stop doing that and save your money by making your own DIY charcoal pore strips at home; here’s how!

What all you need:

  • Activated charcoal tablets
  • Elmer’s glue

Directions:

  1. Begin by crushing the tabs of activated charcoal you have, or empty the capsules in a mixing bowl.
  2. To this you shall add a tablespoon of the glue, and mix well.
  3. Without wasting time, apply the pack on your nose and the chin or the forehead, where blackheads are in plenty and wait for ten minutes.
  4. Once the strip dries up completely, peel them off gently and then wash face with cold water.

How it works:

The blackheads and whiteheads noticed would stick to the glue and the activated charcoal would vacuum the dirt out of the pores. This is also a way to detox and cleanse the skin deeply.

Tip: Not more than once every fifteen days the strips should be used.

Charcoal Pore Strips

5. Non Toxic Eyeliner

If commercial kohl pencils and eyeliners hurt the eyes and burn them, of if you have very sensitive eyes, you can use activated charcoal non toxic eyeliners made at home to beautify the eyes.

What all you need:

  • A small tiny pot for storage
  • An eyeliner brush
  • A teaspoon of activated charcoal
  • Sweet almond or jojoba oil

Directions:

  1. Start by mixing the ingredients into one another in a small bowl, and then pour the same into the tiny pot.
  2. Let it sit in the freezer for the night and the next morning, your activated charcoal NON TOXIC eyeliner is ready.

How it works:

The activated charcoal helps soothe the eyes and doesn’t run or smudge, and also cleanses the lashes in the process.

Tip: The oils can be used as per your choice

Non Toxic Eyeliner With Charcoal

6. Mascara

Long beautiful lashes to flaunt are the dream of every woman and girl. And if you don’t fancy using commercial mascaras, save your money and make your own activated charcoal mascara at home.

What all you need:

  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • 4 tsp aloe vera gel
  • 1/2  – 1 tsp bees wax pellets
  • 1 – 2 capsules of activated charcoal.

Directions:

  1. Mix the oils and aloe vera gel to begin with, and the grate the bees wax and add to it in a small saucepan.
  2. Place it in the microwave to melt for a minute, until the wax melts completely.
  3. Crush the activated charcoal tabs and add to this mixture, and gently form a gooey liquid.
  4. Pour this into a mascara tube and let it set. Use it the next day.

How it works:

With the organic activated charcoal, it helps sooth the eyes, tames the lashes and makes them grow long and fast too.

Tip: Use it once a day

Mascara With Charcoal

 

7. Body Scrub

To remove the body of all the toxins and dirt, grime and the sebum, you need to have a body scrub that works like magic. With body scrubs that have activated charcoal and sugar in them, the skin is exfoliated and kept free from toxins.

What all you need:

  • 1/2 cup Organic granulated cane sugar
  • 1/8 cup Virgin Coconut Oil
  • 1 tbsp activated charcoal
  • Optional – essential oils for scent

Directions:

  1. Start by mixing activated charcoal, coconut oil and sugar in a bowl and combine them well by mixing them with a spatula.
  2. Transfer to a jar and store.
  3. First scoop a good amount of the scrub and gently in circular motions rub the whole body- every inch of your body. This should be done five times up and down.
  4. Wrap the body with a cling fill wrap and wait for half an hour.
  5. Gently remove the cling fill wrap and wash off the body under cold water.
  6.  If you live in climes that are cold, use warm water for the final wash.
  7. Do this once every fifteen days.

How it works:

With activated charcoal, you get to vacuum out the dirt and the grime, the toxins too from the surface of the skin.

It helps shrink pores and while the exfoliation is on, the dead skin cells would be removed too.

Coconut oil helps hydrate the skin and keeps it protected from germs, since it is antimicrobial by nature.

Essential oils help soothe and heal the skin.

Tip: To be used once every fifteen days

8. Detox Bath

Nothing like a bath that detoxes the body completely from the dirt, grime and the toxins that the naked eyes cannot see; thanks to activated charcoal with clay, we can do that at home for cheap.

What all you need:

  • 2 cups of Epsom salts
  • 1 cup bentonite clay
  • 1 tablespoon real salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal

Directions:

  1. Start by filling the bathtub with plenty of hot water, at a temperature safe for your skin to handle.
  2. Now add each of the ingredients one at a time to the water, and make the water cloudy.
  3. Sit in this cloudy water for ten minutes to half an hour, as much as you wish to.
  4. Come out of the water and rinse with clear water, and then towel dry the body.
  5. Have a glass of juice to balance the sugar in the blood and drink plenty of water after the detox.

How it works:

Bentonite clay in the detox bath acts as a purifier which removes all the dirt and grime from the skin.

Epsom salts has sulfate and magnesium in it, which helps brings down inflammation and monitors the work of enzymes in the body. It also helps with nerve and muscle functioning too.

With sulfates, the nutrients are absorbed better, toxins are flushed out, and with real salt, and the essential salt balance in the body is kept.

Finally, with activated charcoal, the poisons from the body are taken out, and the heavy metals too are removed.

Tip: This is a detox bath that should be done once a month.

Side Effects of Charcoal

Beauticians and skin aestheticians worldwide do not have reports or claims to show any side effect or ill effects of activated charcoal when used topically, which is why they recommend it without second thoughts. However, should you consume activated charcoal as a supplement with your daily meals or diet, you should limit it to short term use. The side effects of activated charcoal include:

  • Constipation and black stools
  • Dehydration
  • Regurgitation into the lungs
  • In rare cases, slowing or blockage of the intestinal tract has been noticed.
  • Doctors completely warn expectant mothers from consuming activated charcoal, since activated charcoal can harm the foetus in them.

Prevention and After Care

One needs to get in touch with their doctor first to know if they can consume activated charcoal or not. The doctor would be best to also tell you of the side effects when activated charcoal is consumed, and what to do for prevention and care on an individual scale. It is not wise to use tips right off the online world without consulting a doctor.

Disclaimer: This post on activated charcoal was for informational uses only. Kindly check with your skin aesthetician and doctor to know if the activated charcoal recipes can be used by you or not-topically or otherwise. Their words would take precedence over what is written here.

Stay healthy and gorgeous always!

Images Source: freshpickedbeauty.com

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4 comments

Namrata Mitra June 20, 2017 - 4:15 pm

Are activated charcoal and activated carbon the same?

Reply
Mansi Kohli June 23, 2017 - 10:42 am

Yes. Activated carbon and activated charcoal are synonymous to each other. These two names are also synonymous to the name active carbon, and therefore there is no difference between the names.

Reply
Suzanne July 10, 2017 - 3:04 pm

How long can I store activated charcoal?

Reply
Deepika Dewan July 18, 2017 - 2:27 pm

If stored safely and away from the pollution and dirt, the activated charcoal can be stored until the government regulations expiry date.

Reply

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