Activated charcoal has been used in hospital emergency rooms for decades, to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses. It works by attaching to toxins in the stomach, and absorbing them. The theory behind activated charcoal in beauty products is similar: It acts like a ‘magnet’ to absorb toxins, dirt and excess oil, or scientifically speaking, it works by electrical attraction, pulling molecules and ions towards the surface, and sticking to it.
Activated charcoal, a black powder, is the same substance used in water filters, so if it can trap 200 chemicals, and absorb snake venom from your stomach, its logical that it can pull toxins from your pores.
Acne skin typically becomes infected, which causes the spread of more acne. Cuts, scrapes and infections, are counteracted with activated charcoal, which can be applied topically. It will also bring down swelling and reduce pain.
The black powder is found in a wide variety of beauty products, from shampoos to teeth whiteners. For skin care, it is found mostly in a soap bars, masks, exfoliators, and cleansers. You can save some money by mixing your own activated charcoal powder into a paste, by adding water. If you want it to stick longer, blend in some aloe vera gel.
I was happy to be featured in The List, in which their article about “Ways to Use Activated Charcoal” quoted me as advising:
“Activated charcoal is made from Korean red pine needles, coconut shell, Japanese bamboo, and Asian oak.
It could also be made from peat, coal, or petroleum, this last one to be avoided, so find out where your charcoal comes from,” Janice Rosenthal, owner of Garden of Essences, told me.
For a cleaner skin than you’ve ever experienced before, give activated charcoal a try. Its 100% natural, and it wants to absorb toxins from your pores – what more could you ask for, in a beauty product?