In general, Charcoal is created by removing water and other volatile constituents like oils, fatty acids, or alcohols from animals or vegetation. The usual charcoal that all of us know is created by pyrolysis – “burning” wood in the absence of air.

What is activated Charcoal?

Activated Charcoal describes charcoal that is produced for medical and especially cosmetic use for acne-prone skin and it usually looks like a fine black powder.

It is very similar to normal charcoal but activated charcoal is heated in combination with a gas that increases the surface area by creating tiny inlets across the charcoal. These inhibit the detoxifying capabilities to trap bacteria, chemicals, or other toxins which is good for sensitive skin.

What does ‘Activated’ mean?

Activated or active simply means that the charcoal easily engages in chemical reactions like trapping or binding toxins because of its microporosity.

The idea behind activated charcoal for breakouts is that it will bind acne-causing bacteria, excess oil, dirt, chemicals, or other microparticles and thus help to heal and prevent breakouts.

Why is it so popular?

The recent trend of activated charcoal and oral activated charcoal has led to a whole spectrum of skin products that contain charcoal, e.g. charcoal scrubs, charcoal masks, or charcoal soaps to help combat breakouts

Other than the usual charcoal that we use to light up the barbecue activated charcoal for cosmetic use is often made from coconut shells, bamboo, peat, or olive pits. Taken orally it has proven throughout many medical studies to manage poisoning or overdose, as it helps the body to get rid of unwanted substances!

How does it work?

Its millions of tiny-little pores increase the surface area of charcoal immensely and enable it to carry other microparticles up to 1000 times of its own mass.

However, the structure alone is not enough. Additionally, it is negatively charged which attracts positively charged particles like toxins, bacteria, or chemicals and traps them inside the pore. The fact that charcoal is not absorbed by the body ensures that the toxins are carried out of the body when taken orally or if applied on the skin, draws them out.

Is it good for dealing with breakouts?

So far, there hasn’t been any scientific research that supports the claim of translating the benefits of activated charcoal from an oral treatment to the context of skin problems.

What are the benefits of activated charcoal for acne?

Besides, preventing pores from clogging because of its cleaning and oil-diminishing capabilities, activated charcoal can also help to unclog the inlets as it removes the sebum, dirt, and dead skin from the pores.

It will smoothen the skin’s appearance… Just as in the stomach, activated charcoal will bind any positively charged enzymes, dirt, chemicals, or heavy metals that are present on the skin which will be removed when you rinse it off.

Bacteria are naturally present on the surface of the skin. For people that are prone to oily skin and breakout, the bacteria can flourish in the anaerobic environment of the oily skin. 

It will bind bacteria that are present on the skin and thus, positively affect acne. For bacteria that are deeper inside the skin, it is not clear and scientific studies must tell. However, activated charcoal will likely draw out bacteria and the enzymes that lie underneath the skin’s surface due to its negatively charged structure.

Can you have an allergic reaction to it?

It is 100 % sure that activated charcoal is inert and doesn’t cause any allergic reactions, irritation, or inflammation – won’t make your breakouts worse. Activated charcoal really is a sponge, that’s why it is so effective against overdoses and poisonings. Thus, activated charcoal will also suck up and control excess sebum (the skin’s oil) and prevent inlets from clogging.

What else can it do?

It helps treat insect bites, activated charcoal according to anecdotal evidence may help take the sting out of a bite and it can help to neutralize the enzymes from the insect venom.

Charcoal products also tend to look pretty cool, it is not expensive and it will be harmful to your body and it will be great for your skin!

Doctors also use it to help remove toxins from any patients for an acute overdose. It helps to soak up any drug that has been taken on accident or purpose and helps to remove toxins from the body.

What are charcoal masks?

A charcoal mask is an example of a charcoal cleanser. It usually has a grit-like texture that acts as an exfoliant. An exfoliant (Charcoal cleanser) is a cosmetic product that is designed to remove dead cells from the surface of your skin,

so the charcoal mask helps to remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. Some skin experts believe a charcoal face mask can help draw impurities.

The Charcoal mask does this by soaking up the pore-clogging dirt and remove excess oil on your skin and when you wash away the mask it is rinsed away alongside it, leaving you with cleaner and clearer skin.

This is why you see some people use a charcoal mask in their routine just make sure you apply the mask evenly across your whole face when you have your own mask.

Are there other types of masks?

Yes., another type of charcoal mask some people use is a bamboo charcoal face mask with some white china clay materials (Kaolin) as it is packed with green tea leaves that are meant to help soothe your skin, and some people mix aloe vera into it.

Make sure you wait for 15 minutes to let the mask dry on your face!

What are charcoal cleansers?

Charcoal cleansers are cosmetic products that sometimes have a grit-like texture they have salicylic acid inside them and are great at absorbing impurities like surplus oil on your skin, dirt, and grime are drawn to the tiny black grains and away from the skin from which the skin benefits as it is left looking clearer and cleaner.