ACTIVATED CHARCOAL for the SKIN: Benefits and How to use it

We can say that black is in fashion, especially in beauty products whose purpose is cleanse and purify the skin and that is due to a main component, activated carbon. It is not the same charcoal that we use, for example, for the barbecue or the fireplace, but a special charcoal for topical use whose properties make it a unique ally to achieve impurity-free skin.

Active charcoal is entirely of vegetable origin and comes from woods, such as bamboo, or from fruit shells, such as coconut or walnut. To be able to use it for aesthetic purposes, it undergoes a oxygen-based treatment after being heated to high temperatures and, most importantly, it cannot be absorbed by the skin, its use is only external.

You may be wondering why it is so effective, because activated charcoal for the skin has four main properties, thanks to which it provides us with numerous benefits that we will talk about a little later. For now, it is important to know that main properties of activated carbon are:

• It is a very porous material, so much so that it is used for wastewater treatment and to filter drinking water.
• Highly absorbent, characteristic that makes it essential in the extraction of metals or in the filters of gas masks and in gas measurement and control devices. Both the fact that it is very porous and that it is a great absorbent, make it perfect for eliminating impurities and toxins also on the skin.
• It is a slightly abrasive material, but it is so soft that it is used as skin scrub.
• Has a high power antibacterial and detoxifyingThat is why it is used in medicine and veterinary medicine to treat poisonings or extract poisons.

The activated charcoal for skin It can be used in the form of cream, gel, lotion, masks, soaps and even sponges. Let’s see how the characteristics of activated carbon translate into benefits for our skin:

• It is a great cleanser that removes impurities and traces of dirt on the skin.
• It controls excess oil, which is why it is used to balance combination or oily skin and in the treatment of certain skin problems, such as acne.
• Eliminate blackheads.
• Softens the complexion, giving it a more uniform and refined appearance.
• Provides luminosity and thus the skin looks clean and radiant.
• It favors the elimination of toxins, even those caused by exposure to pollution. In fact, in the medical field it is used to treat certain poisonings.
• Its exfoliating power renews the skin and clarifies it.

Its main use is in the form of a mask because it is an effective remedy for the treatment of acne, pimples and blackheads. Although the main ingredient in this mask of Asian origin is active carbon, we can find masks that contain other natural ingredients, such as essential oils, cinnamon or cucumber, to provide more benefits to the skin and ensure a more complete care of it.

You can discover more information about what activated carbon is for in this other oneHOWTO article.

With so many formats of beauty products in which activated carbon is involved, there are many ways in which we can use it. If you were wondering how to use active charcoal for skin, take note of these ideas:

Activated charcoal soap

For deep facial cleansing, a soap can be used as a complement to the daily beauty routine and, we can even use a sponge to benefit from its effects on the skin throughout the body while we shower.

Facial creams with activated charcoal

To benefit from its detox effect, removing traces of pollution, dust, tobacco, makeup, etc. from the skin, we can use a cream treatment for daily use, which will eliminate impurities. Thus, by using activated charcoal for the face in the form of creams and cleansers, we are able to reduce one of the main factors of skin aging, with also achieving a rejuvenating effect.

Activated charcoal mask

To eliminate unsightly blackheads or the dreaded pimples we will use a black mask. This has a great absorbent power and sticks to the skin with an effect similar to glue. Some see it as the evolution of nasal strips to clean pores, which could not be used as well in other parts of the face. Now, with the black activated carbon masks, you can treat other areas of the skin where dirt easily accumulates and that are especially oily, such as the forehead or the chin. For the mask to be more effective, it is recommended to previously leave a warm towel on the face; This will open the pores and the mask will remove any obstruction more easily.

Here we explain more about How to make an activated charcoal mask.

Possible risks of activated charcoal on the skin

Although, as we see, its benefits are many, the excessive use of activated charcoal for the skin can also cause some discomfort. The most common, especially with the use of commercial masks, is that its great adherent power makes it sometimes difficult to remove and can cause some irritation to the skin, leaving the most sensitive areas slightly reddened. That is why it is advisable to test the mask in a small area as a test, before applying it all over the skin; this way we will avoid a possible adverse reaction.

In cases of very sensitive, atopic skin or people who have recently undergone facial treatments, whether medical or aesthetic, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist before applying activated charcoal masks.

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