It’s natural to think that the last place charcoal belongs to is on your skin. The word itself evokes cookouts, coal trains, and mining. Indeed, it doesn’t invoke “glowing skin” or “smaller pores.”
It’s time to throw these connotations out the window. Enter activated charcoal, the best thing since tea tree oil and retinoids. It’s everywhere: cleaners, masques, scrubs, peels, and toothpaste.
It’s even been added to juices as an anti-toxin. Yet, we still regard it with suspicion. Is charcoal good for your skin? How effective is it?
Today, we’re going to explore these meaty details.
Table of Contents
- What Is Activated Charcoal?
- What is Activated Charcoal Used for and How Does it Work?
- Is Charcoal Really Good for Your Skin?
- What Does Activated Charcoal Do for Your Skin?
- Benefits of Activated Charcoal for Different Skin Types
- Benefits of Activated Charcoal Skincare Products
- How to Use Activated Charcoal for Hair
- Activated Charcoal for the Body
- Activated Charcoal for Teeth
- Is Charcoal Good for You? A Summary
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Unlike what you might think, activated charcoal is different from the charcoal used on an outdoor grill.
Activated charcoal is made from materials that are rich in carbon. Such materials, like wood, coconut shells, or even coal, are burned at high temperatures to create a charcoal powder.
This heat exposure creates tiny inner spaces in the charcoal, which makes it highly permeable and capable of trapping chemicals and toxins. “So it’s carbon soot with lots of holes?” Yes, and it has a sponge-like structure.
It’s also noted for being sharp and jagged, which allows for a significant surface area. It’s estimated that 1 gram of activated charcoal has 3000 square meters of surface area.
That’s the same as 3 Olympic swimming pools.
What is Activated Charcoal Used for and How Does it Work?
This large surface area is useful in soaking up substances. Due to this handy feature, charcoal is utilized in water purification. It’s also used in medicine, especially in treating poisoning.
In these cases, the patient is supplied with a large dose on top of other treatments. Much of the poison then adheres itself to the charcoal, rather than soak up into the body.
Have you ever wondered why melted candle wax dries into one big clump? Intermolecular forces are the answer. Simply put, they’re interactions that keep molecules intact. Without them, water would be gas, and candle wax would splay everywhere.
Intermolecular force is divided into several types. Every substance out there has dispersion force, whether it’s vitamins or poison. The type that concerns activated charcoal is dispersion force.
The huge surface area leaves activated charcoal vulnerable. There’s a space for things to stick into. Since anything can breed dispersion force, activated charcoal absorbs without discrimination.
This means it’ll even absorb nutrients and vitamins, which can restrict the health benefits available in your food.
Since charcoal is a default treatment for detoxifying, many people think that consuming activated charcoal is a great way to detox skin.
But is charcoal really good for your skin?
Is Charcoal Really Good for Your Skin?
We’ve talked about how charcoal works and its benefits for health.
However, does it really work for your skin?
From what we gather, charcoal does work for your skin. There are no formal studies to prove its effectiveness. Yet, anecdotal evidence is hugely in charcoal’s favor: for many people, it’s a magic potion.
However, you have to remember that every skin is different.
Why Is Charcoal Good for Skin?
Due to its ability to absorb bacteria and toxins in the body, some skin experts believe that a face mask with charcoal may help draw impurities from the skin.
“What about good bacteria? The kind that protects your skin?” It’s fast-multiplying.
You don’t have to worry about using charcoal regularly.
Why Is Charcoal Bad for Your Skin?
However, you should be cautious. Over-exfoliation causes irritation and inflammation. This could trigger acne, making you more susceptible to sunburn.
You may lose moisture and even interfere with the natural skin barrier. Your barrier is the skin’s outermost layer that protects against external irritants such as bacteria and environmental pollutants. It preserves water and moisture, as it avoids triggering allergic reactions.
It’s also responsible for keeping your skin feeling soft and acting relaxed and safe when it’s intact. One example of a perfectly intact barrier to moisture can be found on a baby. Plump, smooth, soft and radiant to the touch.
Over-exfoliation is one of the leading causes of damaged moisture barrier. When damage is done to the skin’s protective layer, it causes tiny, invisible cracks in the surface. Moisture can quickly escape through such cracks and irritants can enter more quickly.
In that case, your skin has essentially lost its protective bodyguard. It can become tight, dry, and sensitive. To avoid this situation, keep the exfoliation to a minimum.
If you notice your skin growing irritated, stop using charcoal as an exfoliating agent altogether.
(Check out sensitive skin friendly chemical exfoliants on our blog.)
What Does Activated Charcoal Do for Your Skin?
There are a lot of benefits of charcoal for the skin.
Activated charcoal powder has been proven to absorb its own mass into harmful substances thousands of times, making it a popular ingredient in facial masks, such as this one from Revive Science.
- DETOXIFYING FACE MASK: Works as an all over facial mask or acne spot treatment to help pull out impurities from your pores.
- DETOXIFY & REMOVE BLACKHEADS: Helps clear out any excess oil and dirt without over-drying skin.
- HYDRATE & CLEANSE: While most masks tend to dry out your skin, Revive Science combines the cleansing power of clays and Activated Charcoal to cleanse to naturally moisturize. & even skin texture.
- ACTIVATED CHARCOAL MASK: The perfect detox mask. Perfect for spot treatment, blackhead remover, and light exfoliation.
- ALL SKIN TYPES: Ideal for men and women, and all skin types including sensitive, acne-prone, oily and dry.
- Non-GMO, paraben, talc, sulfate & cruelty free. Made in the USA.
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In fact, the activated charcoal’s antibacterial properties can help to lift bacteria from pores. This may help to reduce acne and improve skin complexion overall.
(Looking for other natural acne solutions? Here’s our post on Tea Tree Oil Brands for Acne.)
Activated Charcoal for Acne
We did go over covering up acne with makeup before. What we didn’t mention is how useful charcoal can be in this case.
It only makes sense. Acne is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria, that get stuck within your skin’s pores. Acne-causing bacteria can cause pimples and other inflammatory lesions, which can lead to inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Activated charcoal can lift off all of that bacteria and leave you with smooth, supple skin. It’s known for its curative qualities, from acne cleaning to digestive aids.
Charcoal products are also non-allergenic and also contain ingredients such as salicylic acid.
This pack of detox wipes from Yes to Tomatoes features 95% natural ingredients for detoxing your face and helping clear it from agents that cause acne.
- SAFE FOR ALL: For all skin types
- DETOXIFYING WIPES: These facial wipes detoxify and deep clean to help achieve clear skin
- REMOVES DIRT AND IMPURITIES: Formulated with charcoal to help remove dirt and impurities, the detoxifying formula is captured in a very sleek black wipe
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Activated Charcoal for Blackheads
The charcoal benefits don’t end there. The same is applicable for blackheads.
Blackheads form when the opening of hair follicles in your skin causes a clog or plug to develop. When the gunk inside your pores are exposed to the air, they oxidize and the surface turns black. This results in a blackhead.
Activated charcoal will help remove excess oil and sebum. Products such as peel off masks absorb toxins, dirt, and excess oils from your pores faster than other products when tackling blackheads. This can quickly diminish the appearance of existing blackheads and pimples while preventing the formation of new blackheads on the skin.
A great product is the Vassoul Peel-Off Mask that doubles as a deep facial cleanser for your face and nose.
- DEEP FACIAL CLEANSING: Remove acne, blackheads, and blemishes. Help to remove stubborn stain or oil spots on your face.
- MULTIPURPOSE: Reduces the effect of computer radiation on the skin, adds vitality to dull and uneven skin, and makes the skin firmer.
- YOUNGER AND SMOOTHER SKIN: Moisturize your skin, giving it a wonderful feel. And it can also remove the facial hair on your face to make it very smooth and healthy.
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Activated Charcoal for Skin Rashes, Bites, and Cuts
The use of activated charcoal for skin rashes is widely recognized. Whether you’ve been stung by a bee or had an infected cut from the kitchen, activated charcoal will help accelerate the healing and alleviate the symptoms.
For minor skin disorders including bites of insects, stings, wounds, scrapes, and minor infections, activated charcoal can be used. When applied as a paste the activated charcoal helps to absorb venom and infection. Activated charcoal will also ease swelling and alleviate discomfort.
To make an activated charcoal paste, you must:
- Add water slowly to a small amount of activated charcoal powder.
- Mix until suitable consistency is achieved and then apply.
For first aid options, try this powder from Charcoal House Health.
- HARDWOOD ACTIVATED CHARCOAL POWDER: A high quality activated charcoal powder made from American Eastern Hardwoods with a high surface area
- FOOD-GRADE: completely safe for oral use.
- EXTERNAL TREATMENT: Also recommended for use in poultices for the external treatment of localized inflammation, infection and pain, or in baths for a generalized application over a larger body area.
- FOR BATHING: Excellent for charcoal baths as the hardwood charcoals rinse off more easily than the coconut shell.
- POISON TREATMENT: May also be added to animal food or water for treating poisoning, infection, and foul odors.
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Benefits of Activated Charcoal for Different Skin Types
We’ll move on to how activated charcoal benefits different skin types. After all, we don’t just have one single agreeable skin type that any product can work on.
Something to note: it doesn’t matter whether you have oily or normal skin. Allergic breakouts are always possible!
It’s a good idea to test the charcoal product on a small patch of skin on the inside of your elbow before first using a charcoal mask. If you don’t experience any itching or redness in a couple of hours, then use on your skin is likely safe.
Activated Charcoal for Oily Skin
Oily skin occurs when excess oil on the face creates a persistently greasy appearance. This skin type is characterized by enlarged pores, thick complexion, and recurring blemishes. When not treated, pores can get clogged, and dead skin cells can build up.
Theoretically, charcoal should work well on oily skin. It removes excess oil, reduces the occurrence of blackheads, and prevents the development of acne. It also provides a thorough cleaning of your pores, eliminating dirt and bacteria.
This can make it an effective ingredient in blotting sheets, such as this one from boscia.
- BLACK BAMBOO CHARCOAL: Absorbs toxins and impurities leaving the skin healthier and stronger. Acts as a natural antibacterial agent, and deeply cleanses and detoxifies pores without irritation.
- 100% ABACA TREE FIBERS: Abaca produces soft, high-quality fiber that is soft and silky. Perfect for absorbing oil and perspiration.
- BOSCIA'S BOTANICAL BLEND: Essential to every product is boscias Botanical Blend: an effective mix of Jojoba Leaf and Willowherb. Jojoba Leaf is a powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent free radical damage caused by pollution, UV rays, and other environmental irritants. Willowherb Extract is a natural skin-calming botanical that helps to alleviate inflammation and redness.
- NATURAL AND CLEAN: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Natural and Clean Skincare. Preservative-free forever
- SENSITIVE SKIN FRIENDLY: For the sensitive types
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Julep also has a great blotting paper pack that helps absorb excess oil.
Activated Charcoal for Sensitive Skin
Eczema and rosacea frequently accompany those with sensitive skin. You can recognize this skin type by how much it resists irritation. Such skin types are weak when it comes to resistance: they’re highly reactive, prone to rashes, and sensitive to UV rays and topical products. In short, they’re easily irritable.
(RELATED: Face moisturizers for rosacea)
Is charcoal face wash good for your skin? Yes, but if you have this skin type, you can be careful when it comes to products. It would be best if you make it a habit to take a look at ingredients.
However, charcoal is all-natural. It’s inert, which means it won’t cause allergic reactions or irritate sensitive skin. So even if your charcoal-enhanced product isn’t doing much, it won’t make anything worse. Do a little patch test first, if in any doubt.
Check if the packaging says that you can use it for sensitive skin, like this Pink Rex Peel-Off Mask.
- DEEP CLEANING: Our amazing black peel off charcoal facial mask is great for all skin types and provides a deep face cleaning removing blackheads and dirt.
- GREAT RESULTS: Our peel of mask is pain free but very effective. Smells like honeysuckle!
- SPECIALLY FORMULATED to clean out clogged pores by getting rid of blackheads, dirt, and spot-causing bacteria. Great for sensitive skin.
- NATURAL: Naturally derived ingredients: Eucalyptus and rosemary oil, honeysuckle flower extract, witch hazel. Never tested on animals and free of parabens, glutens, and mineral oils.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We are a US-based family-owned business that promises superior customer service including excellent communication and easy returns.
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Activated Charcoal for Combination Skin
If your face has both oily and dry areas, then your skin is the combination type. The oily areas tend to be the T-zone (the front, nose, and chin) with the cheeks being the dry regions. This is a very common type of skin.
If you have combination skin, after using a detoxifying cleanser or an activated charcoal mud mask designed for your skin type you should notice a real difference to your T-zone. Your skin will feel less sticky, with fewer breakouts.
- FOR SKIN DETOX: Reduces wrinkles, dark spots and removes toxins by drawing out and trapping impurities, releasing clogged pores to breathe life into your skin again.
- ANTIOXIDANT RICH TRIPLE TEA EXTRACT: The triad of calming Rooibos Tea, White Tea, and Green Tea Extract, merges into the perfect combination to work as an antioxidant remedy for healthier, supple clean skin.
- NATURAL SKIN CARE WITH ANTI-AGING VITAMINS: Shield your skin everyday from irritants and inflammation with Vitamin C and Vitamin B5.
- MOISTURISING AND REVITALIZING OIL EXTRACTS: Gently hydrates and refreshes the skin using natural ingredients like coconut oil, orange peel oil and aloe vera gel extracts to provide nutrients that balance the skin. Great acne face wash treatment and face wash for oily skin, moisturizing and invigorating your skin.
- 100% NATURAL, MADE IN USA SKINCARE PRODUCT: Paraben free, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. Suitable for all skin types, and is safe for sensitive skin.
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You might be thinking, “Why not the dry areas? Is activated charcoal good for dry skin?” Activated charcoal works hard to balance skin. You don’t want it to remove oil that is already in short supply, so make sure you don’t use any charcoal products on your dry areas.
Activated Charcoal for Normal Skin
Normal skin is the best type of skin. It’s balanced, which makes neither too dry nor too sticky. Its evenness and lack of blemishes leave little to be treated.
However, you can choose to spoil yourself with a charcoal beauty product you like. Because charcoal removes impurities and toxins it can be great to remove pollution-induced dirt and residue.
Benefits of Activated Charcoal Skincare Products
Every 30 days or so, your skin sheds dead skin cells for newer ones. It performs this task to make room for new cells. However, dead cells sometimes don’t completely shed away. This can lead to dryness, flaky patches, and obstructed pores.
Exfoliation is the process of extracting dead skin cells from the very outer surface of your skin. This is done through chemical peels, granular substances, or exfoliation tools.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), exfoliation makes the skin look healthier. It also increases the effectiveness of topical skincare products through absorption.
Activated Charcoal Cleanser Benefits
Here’s where the charcoal face cleanser benefits come in. Activated charcoal is one of the most effective ingredients in masks and even oils. It helps in the fight against acne, dry itchy skin, eczema, and psoriasis.
A great example of an activated charcoal cleansing oil is this one from GlamGlow. Powerful and unique, it contains two types of charcoal to clarify skin. Potent antioxidants in the formula also serve to protect your skin from pollutants. Turmeric, aloe vera, TEAOXI, vitamin C, salicylic acid and oleic acid-rich oils work together to deeply clarify the complexion. It also has a lightweight formula that protects the skin without over-drying.
Activated charcoal can also induce skin lightening. When used to exfoliate, activated charcoal helps strip the dead skin off of your face. It acts like millions of tiny sponges soaking up all the nasties in your skin and trapping them within their own pores.
Regular face exfoliation may also help prevent clogged pores, leading to fewer breakouts. Long-term exfoliation can increase the production of collagen. Collagen is key to vibrant, glowing skin. The protein also promotes skin elasticity, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Activated Charcoal Products for Pores
Noses and blackheads: these are lifelong friends. Yet, you have to be vigilant: are those things on your nose actual blackheads?
Look narrowly at your nose tip. Do you see tiny, pin-like dots on the pore surface? If the dots are quite dark, then most likely you are looking at blackheads. If they have a white color, or a gray or yellow tinge, then sebaceous filaments are possibly what you see.
Sebaceous filaments are particles released from oil glands. Blackheads are oxidized keratin produced as a result of dead skin clogging follicles.
If you’re wondering how to use activated charcoal powder for your face, then wonder no further. There are a lot of good charcoal products (including masks!) out there.
Nevertheless, you need to be careful with what you’re putting on your skin.
Harsh charcoal pore strips mercilessly rip off the skin surface layer. They could even rip vellus hair with it. Naturally, the skin underneath will feel soft and smooth.
You have to remember: blocked pores are entirely different from sebum-filled pores. Most of the oils removed from the skin will be sebaceous filaments. They’re actually required by the skin so they will be replaced within 30 days to maintain a healthy skin balance anyway.
If it’s a one-off affair, your skin is likely to recover without any issue.
However, overuse of the nose strips can make your skin look worse. Continued use will remove natural oils from the skin and irritate it. This may trigger secondary skin concerns in the future.
Some people can even develop damaged capillaries or tiny blood vessels that aid in blood microcirculation. Tearing off the pore strip can damage the first layer of skin. The worst thing is that broken capillaries are permanent, which prematurely ages the skin.
Be careful; moderation is best!
How to Use Activated Charcoal for Hair
If you carry enough dirt and oil around you, your hair will start to shrink and regular shampoos may not get it all out.
In fact, hair can gain a small amount of its own weight from scalp oils, pollution, and products in build-up. Regular shampoos remove dirt from the surface, but activated charcoal will extract even more.
To spoil your hair a little, follow these steps:
- Get two tablespoons of activated charcoal powder.
- Massage the activated charcoal powder with some coconut oil or argan oil on your scalp.
- Leave it on, and wash it off for about 20 minutes.
You can also apply some activated charcoal and shake it well in your shampoo bottle.
What Are the Benefits of Using Activated Charcoal for our Hair?
Activated charcoal makes a good ingredient in hair care as it removes impurities from the scalp and the hair itself. This includes dirt and oil, as well as chemicals that build up when using harsh shampoos and conditioners on a regular basis.
This helps improve the hair’s overall appearance but also makes it healthier too. By keeping it strong and healthy you can encourage the hair to grow faster so activated charcoal promotes a longer style in this way.
Nevertheless, activated charcoal additionally leads to hair growth, by giving the scalp a detox, and removing the hair follicles.
Try this activated charcoal shampoo from WOW and see the results for yourself.
- RESTORE DAMAGED HAIR: Rich in essential oils and vital nutrients & proteins to provide moisture & hair strength to tighten hair cuticles to retain moisture much more easily. Get stronger, cleaner hair, fast.
- HEALTHY, STRONG HAIR: Enriched with key vitamins, like vitamin B5, to provide intense moisture and hydration to keep hair healthy much longer.
- MAXIMUM HAIR SHINE: Improve your hair cleansing routine with our hair restoration shampoo to get the best results possible. Argan oil contains protein and vitamin E to enhance shine & gloss to your hair.
- COLOR-SAFE CLEANSER: Our deep cleaning shampoo can help get rid of heavy buildup & oils that are on your scalp without stripping hair color. Excellent against hard / well water.
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones that can damage your scalp and increase the chance of hair fall & balding. Helps restore damaged, dull hair back to a thick, fuller appearance.
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Activated Charcoal for the Body
Do you have back acne? It’s quite prevalent. Acne affects between 40 million and 50 million individuals in the United States.
Although acne mainly affects adolescents, it’s also present in children and adults. One study found some degree of facial acne present in 54% of women and 40% of men older than 25 years.
Charcoal Body Wash Benefits
Activated charcoal soap is known to be of great benefit in treating acne. Not only does it help to remove toxins, but it also removes impurities in the skin and thus helps in the treatment of acne.
Much like the face cleanser and facial oils with this ingredient, activated charcoal soap work to detox and cleanse your pores on the rest of your skin.
This bar soap from Dead Sea Spa works well not only in treating acne but other skin problems you may have on your body as well.
- EFFECTIVE: Soap is known to be more effective at killing germs and bacteria than sanitizers.
- DEAD SEA SALT: High in magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromide, and sulfur that promote skin tissue growth
- PSORIASIS, ECZEMA, ACNE, SKIN CONDITIONS: Dead Sea treatment studies show significant improvements. For Problem Skin, Skin Detox, Acne Treatment, Eczema, Psoriasis.
- CLEANSE, EXFOLIATE, BALANCE, AND PURIFY SKIN: With Activated Charcoal, and Dead Sea Salt. Shea Butter, Argan Oil. Antibacterial, Anti Aging, Natural Fragrance
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Charcoal Scrub Benefits
Being an excellent exfoliant, and having the ability to remove dead skin cells along with dirt and grime extraction, charcoal soap also treats psoriasis and eczema. It is effective in treating cracked, dry skin. In some cases, it also prevents the recurrence of the disease.
White Natural’s activated charcoal scrub for example provides a boost in natural collagen while increasing skin cell longevity. It also balances your skin’s systemic pH.
- PREMIUM ACTIVATED CHARCOAL SCRUB: All-natural activated charcoal body and face scrub combines with dead sea salts to provide the ultimate oil and impurities cleanse for your skin.
- INFUSED WITH COLLAGEN & STEM CELL: Providing a boost in natural collagen while increasing skin cell longevity. Together these deliver an anti-aging performance.
- DETOXIFY YOUR SKIN: Draw out unwanted toxins, dirt, pollution, and bacteria from your pores and balancing systemic pH. A great pore minimizer that restores your skin!
- EXFOLIATE NATURALLY: Helping to reduce the appearance of acne, blackheads, cellulite, and scars
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You can use charcoal body washes and soaps from one to three times a week. This depends on the needs of your skin, as it will clean your pores and neutralize some environmental toxins.
Make sure to avoid using it every day, as it can soak up the natural oils and moisture in your skin.
What Do Charcoal Pills Do for the Skin?
Not only do people buy charcoal pills and take them with their morning meal like a multivitamin, some coffee shops, bars, and even pizzerias put the powdered form into everything. From black tea, smoothies, and lemonade, to bagels and pizza.
Activated charcoal powder has been used for years in emergency rooms to treat certain types of oral poisoning and drug overdoses due to its capability to trap toxins and chemicals that prevent them from being absorbed into the GI tract or bloodstream.
Once swallowed, charcoal binds to the stomach drug or toxin, so the body is unable to absorb it.
This ability to bind to unwanted substances can be the reason that some recommend the “off-label” use of activated charcoal to relieve skin conditions.
While the effectiveness of activated charcoal in the emergency department is proven, there are conflicting results regarding its ability to improve skin.
Charcoal pills, as supplements, are not regulated by the US. Health and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s worth noting that taking pills with charcoal isn’t without risk:
- With long-term use, side effects can develop. They include a black tongue, black stools, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
- The activated charcoal interacts with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and other medications, reducing their effectiveness.
Activated Charcoal for Teeth
Apart from skincare, activated charcoal is also used in other ways, such as for oral hygiene.
Many charcoal toothpaste products are available online and nowadays in most drug stores. It’s highly absorbent, so medically it removed toxins.
But does teeth whitening really work?
Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening
Activated charcoal may help to remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is slightly abrasive, and can also to a degree absorb surface stains.
However, there is no evidence that it does have any effect on stains below the enamel of a tooth, or that it has a natural whitening effect.
You can wear down your enamel using material that’s too abrasive on your teeth. This can make your teeth look more yellow by exposing the dentin, which is a yellow calcified tissue. It can make your teeth sensitive too.
There are other uncertainties as well. How charcoal affects the materials of veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings isn’t yet known. Charcoal particles could build up between them, leaving a black or grey outline.
Another thing to consider is the lack of fluoride. Fluoride helps to keep your tooth enamel strong and helps protect your teeth from cavity and decay. There is some evidence that charcoal toothpaste is related to increased tooth decay.
On top of that, charcoal can be harmful to the lungs if inhaled. You must be careful not to breathe in any loose powder.
To see for yourself, see the following steps:
- Sprinkle the activated charcoal capsule on your wet toothbrush.
- Brush it with the black stuff for about two to three minutes.
Be very careful when applying the activated charcoal to them to just graze the teeth gently so that there’s no scratching, chipping, or other unwanted outcomes.
Instead of mixing charcoal powder to your toothpaste, try a safer ready-made activated charcoal toothpaste, like the Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Coconut Oil Toothpaste.
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Is Charcoal Good for You? A Summary
So, does charcoal really work for your skin?
Well, there’s no concrete proof that charcoal is a reliable solution for problematic skin. However, anecdotal evidence proves otherwise.
Remember: everyone is different. Using activated charcoal doesn’t mean you’ll get perfect skin right away. However, it could allow for great results when incorporated in an effective skincare routine.
Just bear in mind that even natural products can irritate your skin. They also may not always be as good as the ones recommended by your dermatologist. If you have very serious acne, you might want to look into a more effective treatment than charcoal.
Good luck!
Check out related posts on our blog:
- Best Enzyme Mask for Acne
- Best Chemical Exfoliants for Sensitive Skin
- What Moisturizer Should I Use With Retin A
- Face Wash for Sensitive Oily Skin
Do you use activated charcoal products in your skincare or daily health routine? Share your experience with us!
Cheers Anna!
Really beautiful article and a great resource thanks for share it
No problem, Shirlyn!
The information you shared here is very knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing such a useful post about skin care for us.
Thanks very much, glad to be of help!
I am so happy I found your blog and I absolutely love your information about charcoal good for your skin! I liked and it is wonderful to know about so many things that are useful for all of us! Thanks a lot for this amazing blog!!
It’s great because it won’t strip away the skin as harshly!
My daughter has used the charcoal strips before but I didn’t think about a charcoal mask for her acne!
You’re very welcome, Gina!
Very informative post. Thank you for all of the information.
Thanks for the tip, Ashley! And we totally agree!
Thanks so much, Gemma!
Such a great post! Very informative. Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
All the charcoal info! I find a charcoal mask now and then is so helpful to clean out those pores!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
You’re most welcome, Catarina!
Thank you so much for the tips! These were very helpful 🙂 x
Blog // Instagram // Facebook // Bloglovin’ // Youtube
We’re glad to be of help, Naya! And definitely, charcoal helps detox and clear when you have acne!
What a detailed post here, I really enjoyed learning more about charcoal. I have dry skin, so it is not an ingredient I opt for often, but I always have at least one charcoal mask in my cabinet that I use when my skin is breaking out. It works wonders! xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Thanks, Carrie! Happy to hear our post has been helpful!
So interesting! I have some charcoal face masks and I wasn’t really sure of the benefits to my skin! So good to know!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
We’re happy you found it useful, Charity!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
These is such a great and informative post. I’ve used charcoal face masks on my skin before, but that’s about it. I will have to look more into these products you shared!
Sure thing. Activated charcoal soap is great for treating acne. My friend actually introduced me to it and it has really worked wonders… I totally recommend it.
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