You can’t escape Charcoal in skincare! From masks, face scrubs and face washes, to detoxifying body care, this natural ingredient seems like a must-have. Whether its down Charcoal’s ability to absorb and draw-out toxins from the body or its incredible oil-absorbing qualities, you’ll find plenty of reasons to give this skincare hero a shot. Want to know more? Here’s taking a look at Charcoal in skincare and the products worth buying.

Charcoal in skincare

The role of charcoal in beauty is not a new phenomenon. In fact, Asian cultures have traditionally used charcoal as a purifying agent due to its microporous nature. Today, we use activated charcoal in beauty products, which is a slightly different version of this traditional ingredient. When we heat charcoal to over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, it is considered as activated. It is this heating to high degrees that forces charcoal to open up its pores and become like a sponge – for oil, dirt and similar toxins.

Benefits of charcoal for the skin

This sponge-like texture created while heating charcoal, allows activated charcoal to pull out dirt and oil from the skin. As this ingredient can be drying on its own, use charcoal-based products only where your skin gets oily, such as on the T-zone. Charcoal also has a mattifying effect on the skin. By drawing out dirt and impurities from the skin, charcoal makes pores on the skin appear more refined. However, if you have particularly sensitive or dry skin, look out for skincare that contains charcoal along with hydrating ingredients like honey or aloe, to avoid drying it out further. We love the Natural Instinct Activated Charcoal Mask that reduces pore size and promotes even skin tone. Formulated with activated charcoal, this detox mask also contains sweet almond oil so you can clean while nourishing your skin.

What charcoal-based skincare should you be buying?

You’ll find charcoal in a number of cleansing products, available readily at your favourite drugstore chains or beauty shops online. Many times, these products come with other chemical exfoliants, such as Salicylic Acid. This is because the presence of Salicylic Acid helps to double-up on the effect of oil and acne-fighting properties. Should you too suffer from acne and breakouts, buy face masks that come with both and you’ll be able to manage your skin better. Try the cult-favourite Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask that contains a patented six-acid blend that dramatically brightens, prevents and heals skin. Formulated with powerful skin-clearing mud and activated-x charcoal, it helps to visibly draw out dirt and congestion.

Another staple skincare product to include charcoal in is your daily cleanser. Cleansers remove impurities from the skin, leaving it cleaner for whatever’s coming next. Search for products that include activated charcoal so you can harness the power of this hero ingredient and deep clean your pores regularly. The Payot
Optimale Homme Anti-Imperfections Facial Cleanser is a keeper! This mild, black cleansing gel comes with exfoliating effect. It contains plant-based charcoal and volcanic microparticles with a refined texture that help to gently remove dirt, impurities and dead skin cells while cleansing. It also unclogs pores on a regular basis, giving you the skin you’ll love – every single day!