The current It ingredient in skincare? Hint: it’s black, sooty, and more often associated with backyard barbecues than cosmetics. That’s right, charcoal is making an appearance on the cosmetics front. Find out how activated charcoal benefits the skin.

The use of charcoal is not new. It has long been utilized in the medical field to treat poisoning by chemicals, drugs, and snake bites, and is a common ingredient in water filters.

The current trend has taken the use of activated charcoal to the home. As in, it’s in everything from detox cleanses (in the form of pills and juices) to teeth whiteners (by adding the powder to toothpaste) to skin treatments.

Are we talking the briquettes from our grill? Sort of, but not exactly. Don’t go rubbing those ashes on your skin.

Activated charcoal means the carbon is infused with oxygen and is prepared for human ingestion (in the case of poisoning or detox) and skincare products. This oxygenation creates a super porous surface, increasing its ability to absorb matter and toxins. Possibly the most absorbent cosmetic ingredient out there, activated charcoal is said to have the ability to absorb thousands of times its own weight.

This super absorbency, plus antibacterial properties, makes activated charcoal an ideal ingredient for oily and acne prone skin types. It is used in acne products to draw out impurities, heal pimples, and prevent further breakouts.

Also an anti-aging ingredient, activated charcoal is said to tighten pores and smooth the skin. It also reduces inflammation, which is significant in preventing premature aging.

Most often used in masks, the fine black powder also makes appearances in soaps and washes. Proponents claim it decongests the skin and calms irritation, leaving behind a clear, even toned complexion.

Shiva Rose is one such fan. The actress and holistic beauty fan takes her love of the ingredient beyond skincare. Rose uses activated charcoal to treat bug bites and as a teeth whitener. She also took charcoal capsules as part of a detox cleanse, to absorb impurities from the gastrointestinal tract.

This all sounds great, right? With no solid evidence as yet to support activated charcoal benefits, the verdict is still out on this trendy ingredient. Still, those who take part claim amazing results.

Now for the big question…Is activated charcoal safe? If charcoal is sometimes made from petroleum, this would be a health hazard. While the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database gives activated charcoal a “0” hazard ranking, its safety would come down to sourcing. Find out if the charcoal in products you shop is made from petroleum or a healthier source, like coconut shells or bamboo. As with any ingredient sourcing query, read brand ingredient commitments or contact the brand with your question if you are not sure.

Like to try activated charcoal in skincare for yourself? Following are products from safe organic brands that include the sooty stuff. Or try your hand at a DIY charcoal face mask.

Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask

Soapwalla Kitchen Glycerin Soap Activated Charcoal & Petitgrain

May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver

Dr. Sponge™ Facial and Body Cleansing Sponge Charcoal

La Bella Figura Bio Active Purifying Mask

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It seems like everyone is talking about charcoal, namely “activated charcoal”, and the benefits it offers the skin and body.

My only experience with charcoal is that I need it to grill outdoors in the summer. As far as beauty concerned, activated charcoal never crossed my mind. I mean, what is activated charcoal anyway? I can’t even fathom it. However, after hearing that it was gaining steam in the beauty world, I did a little research and realized that it’s worth the try.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is the common name for carbon and it has been used for thousands of years for various health reason. Even Hippocrates and Pliny used it back when.

Activated charcoal is the result of charring a starting material, such as peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum, and exposing it to oxidizing gas (air or steam) at high temperatures. This process creates very fine pores in the charcoal and thus increases its absorptive ability. These pores help the charcoal to effectively trap toxins and other harmful chemicals. In essence, activated charcoal is like regular charcoal, only activated to suck in all the bad stuff in your body or on your skin, depending on how you use it.

Health and beauty uses

The Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug Experience published a study that shows charcoal prevents gastrointestinal absorption of a slew of drugs and toxins. In emergency situations involving an overdose or wrongful administration of drugs, activated charcoal may just save your life.

In addition to being widely accepted for trapping chemicals to stop certain types of poisoning, activated charcoal is purported to lower cholesterol levels, decrease flatulence, prevent a hangover and treat reduced bile flow. Because of its “trapping” power, activated charcoal is useful in cleansing the intestines. It binds to toxic gases, parasites, candida and other impurities and shepherds them out of the system.

For you beauty needs, activated charcoal is also popular for use in oral and dental hygiene, helping to treat abscess in the gums, whiten teeth, destroy plaque and cure gingivitis. For the skin, this means that activated charcoal binds to impurities and washes them away, leaving your skin taut, clear and bright. It can also clear away pesky acne. Try this anti-acne face mask to start benefiting from its toxin-fighting power:

Activated Charcoal Anti-Acne Face Mask

For 1 use

Ingredients

• 1 capsule of activated charcoal powder
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon water
• 5 drop tea tree oil
• Pinch of sea salt

Directions

Mix all the ingredients together until smooth. Be sure to protect your clothing and surrounding counter tops, as the mixture is black! Apple to skin and let dry – about 20 minutes. Rinse and dry. Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Proceed with caution:

Despite its benefits, activated charcoal’s use comes with caution. Ask your doctor for the intake best suited to your body. Be sure to take activated charcoal two hours before and after any other supplements and drink a lot of water! Combine activated charcoal use with a high fiber diet to help push the charcoal through the intestines and eventually out through the feces. The best time to take it is before bed or about 3-4 hours after dinner.

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