Over the last couple of years, activated charcoal has been in everything, from face masks to cleansers and soaps. There are now even options for activated charcoal toothpaste! As a trend, it seems to be living up to its expectations – and we keep seeing new products advertised all the time. Even though activated charcoal has now become a staple in many products, do we really know the key benefits it provides? Or is it just another trend? I have used charcoal products before but wanted to find out a little more about the science behind them.

Where does activated charcoal come from?

Activated charcoal is created from carbon-rich sources that are burned at high temperatures. These sources can range from wood and coconut shells to coal, olive pits, and much more. It can be also charred with other materials, such as chloride salts. The charcoal then goes through a treated process, which leaves it as a fine powder. 

This covers the very basics of the science behind producing activated charcoal, but how does this affect its use as a beauty product?

Activated charcoal in beauty products

When added to cleansers and soaps, activated charcoal unclogs pores and removes deeper impurities and dead skin cells. The result is a smooth, supple, and even-toned skin. Dirt, toxins and chemicals are attracted to the charcoal molecules and are washed away.

When used in a face mask, it binds to dirt and impurities and helps to pull them out of your pores. This also makes the pores less visible (because it's the oil and dirt that makes them appear bigger!) This is why using an activated charcoal face mask leaves your face feeling so fresh! For an even deeper clean, you could also exfoliate the skin first.

My personal skincare experiences with charcoal products

I am 44, and luckily I don’t experience too many breakouts anymore. But that is not to say that they are completely gone! Once I started using a charcoal facial soap every day, I now rarely experience any breakouts or blemishes at all. And if I do get one, they are very minor and go away much quicker than before.

I have also had great experiences using a charcoal skin scrub. Used together with facial oils, it has left my skin feeling radiant, nourished and fresh. So, I do recommend you to experiment with charcoal products as a part of your daily skincare routine. For me, they have worked beautifully.

If you are intrigued, stop by the “For the Face” section of our shop and try out the Charcoal Facial Scrub and the Charcoal Facial Bar to see the results for yourself! We would also love to hear about your experiences with activated charcoal in your skincare routine. So why not leave a message on our Instagram page to take part in the conversation!