Activated charcoal has gained popularity over the years in skin care products + more, and we believe it is for a good reason!
What is activated charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a fine porous powder that is highly absorbent and capable of absorbing "gunk" like oil, dirt, and other stuff that can clog your pores.
Why it's good for your skin!
Activated charcoal has been shown to reach deep into your pores to cleanse the skin of impurities and offer beneficial mild exfoliation without stripping the skin of its natural oils. This is because it can bind to the dirt on the skin and help pull it out of your pores. The result is smooth, supple, and even-toned skin and reduced breakouts.
Plus, activated charcoal works well on most skin types, including sensitive skin, and may also help reduce redness and inflammation with irritated skin.
To get a fresh look, you can use a gentle soap like our Charcoal Face and Body Bar, which contains skin clearing and detoxifying hardwood charcoal with skin-soothing tea tree and lavender essential oils. This combination helps to pull out impurities and detoxify the skin without leaving it dry. It's excellent for your face or body and beneficial for most skin types.
For an even deeper pore cleansing, activated charcoal can be purchased as a powder and mixed with water or oil, depending on your skin type, to make a spot treatment for problem areas or as a face mask. You can also find face masks that contain other skin-nourishing ingredients like clays, herbs, and essential oils.
Before using any face mask:
- Wash your face. This helps the mask penetrate deeper into your pores.
- You can use your fingertips, a brush, or a mask spatula to spread it. Apply the mask evenly all over your face. Avoid contact with your eyes.
- Let the mask dry for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with warm water.
- Pat your face dry and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
How often should you use a charcoal face mask?
Once a week or less is usually plenty. If you have sensitive skin or notice dryness less frequently may be more suitable.
Even though activated charcoal is typically well-tolerated, we always recommend doing a patch test before lathering any new product over your beautiful face or skin. You can always apply a little of any new product to the inside of your elbow. You should be good to go if you don’t see any irritation after a few hours.
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