Magical Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Why Charcoal Is the New Magic Ingredient to Incorporate Into Your Beauty Routine
Continuing with the #UrbanWellness series here on my blog, I’m bringing you the most talk-about and tried-out beauty trend as of lately, #ActivatedCharcoal.
Activated Charcoal: Does it live up to the hype?
Activated charcoal seems to be the latest fad. It is a major ingredient in most skin care products today. Soaps, face masks, scrubs, and even toothpastes in an uncanny black by major brands have become the holy grail for skincare for most. But charcoal? Really?
Well, I’ll be honest with you. When I first saw the surge of activated charcoal-based beauty products in the market, I was a little skeptical. The ingredient that is used to fire up barbecue couldn’t possibly be good for my skin, I wondered. Finally, curiosity got the better of me and I reached out for a charcoal-based face mask. An acid test to put the controversy to rest, I told myself, without knowing that soon I’d convert into a devout follower of this black magic ingredient to keep my skin healthy and supple.
Black magic, anyone?
Activated charcoal is a porous powerhouse, and I say this with experience. Used for centuries to flush out toxins from the gut in hospital emergency rooms due to its highly porous nature, it is surprising how we took so long to discover its purifying effect on the skin. Yes, just as it works in the gut activated charcoal binds to dirt, bacteria, and oil on the epidermis that get washed away when you rinse your face to reveal fresh and glowing skin.
So, before I share with you my personal experience with the dirty detoxer, let me first tell you how activated charcoal is different from the stuff used to fire up the barbecue.
Activated charcoal {as well as regular charcoal} is commonly made from charred bamboo, wood, coconut shells, or coal without oxygen. However, to activate the material, it is treated with certain gases at high temperature that makes it highly porous and absorbent, turning it into a wonder product that is said to purify your skin, whiten your teeth, and clean your scalp, too.
Is that reason enough for charcoal to find a place of pride in your pantry as well as a skincare regime? Read on for five benefits of Activated Charcoal for skin and hair care.
- Activated Charcoal Facial Mask
Well, I believe in trying everything and that’s what led me to the popular Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask by The Body Shop.
So, as you know, I am very particular about what I use on my skin but the adventurer in me prods me to try many-a-things. Therefore, the chemical and cruelty-free charcoal face pack by The Body Shop was a natural choice for me. And, to my delight, it worked wondrously.
I have tried several face masks in my life; some that left me with a subtle glow and others that had me feeling like a stretched elastic band. But once I tried this activated charcoal facial mask, I knew there was no going back for me. All it took was one application for activated charcoal to become my to-go product for a quick glow after a tired day {and before a party}, or a relaxed Sunday skin ritual.
Especially if you have oily skin or clogged pores, an activated charcoal face mask, such as the popular Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, could help you draw out the impurities lurking deep within your pores. Leave on your face for up to ten minutes and rinse off the mask to reveal glowing and hydrated skin. It would also be a good idea to look for products that couple activated charcoal with known acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, bentonite clay, or tea tree oil.
- Activated Charcoal Beauty Bar
Well, that’s not all. Charcoal is not only a winner when it comes to face masks, it’s finding its way into face and hand soaps too. So, don’t hesitate to reach out for an activated charcoal-infused beauty bar, in case you are looking for a product that cares for your entire body ~ head to toe. Those of you with sensitive skin can use charcoal bars that are antioxidant-rich; allowing the gentle formula to be used daily on your face and body without worrying about drying out your skin.
I particularly like The Body Shop’s Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Facial Soap that reduces excess oils, purifies the pores and gently removes impurities to reveal healthy, clearer-looking skin. Combining two powerful ingredients, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil, with farmed bamboo charcoal ~ the product is ideal to bathe away a hot day’s worth of sweat and grime or refresh yourself after an intense session at the gym. Oh, and it is 100% vegan, too.
- Activated Charcoal Shampoo
Shiny and frizz-free hair that joyously bounce, adding a spring to your step, are a distant myth for most of us. But not anymore. Activated charcoal could be the magic ingredient you have been waiting for to enthuse life back into your mane. A squeaky clean scalp and bouncy strands are just a couple of “side-effects” of using an activated charcoal shampoo.
With its unique ability to soak up oil, dirt, and all the other unpleasant things on our scalp; activated charcoal makes for an excellent cleanser to rid the crown of dirt, oil, and scalp build-up.
I tried the Aroma Magic Activated Bamboo Charcoal Shampoo by Blossom Kocchar and was quite impressed. The modestly priced, silicone and paraben-free shampoo combines activated bamboo charcoal with the essential nutrients of Potassium and Magnesium to clean and fortify your hair. Now say hello to a healthier scalp and tresses as light as air, and say goodbye to frizz for good!
- Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Who would have thought that soot could lead to a glamorous smile?
Used for centuries by certain tribes to maintain oral health, today, activated charcoal is being hailed as the wonder product for gleaming peckers and fighting mouth odour. Boost your oral health by adding activated charcoal to your brushing routine. You could choose charcoal suffused toothpaste; a glamorously black, charcoal-infused toothbrush; or, if you feel adventurous enough, you may directly use activated charcoal powder to clean your teeth. You’ll still need to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine though as charcoal isn’t a hygiene product, so don’t ditch your regular toothpaste just yet.
- Activated Charcoal Juice
Ever turned up at work looking like a zombie, after an indulgent Sunday evening that constituted a couple of extra martinis? Hangovers mean dull and dehydrated skin, puffy eyes, and, for the unlucky ones, a throbbing headache, too.
The solution? Well, if sleeping it out is not an option for you, reach out for activated charcoal, the wonder product you can ingest to get rid of toxins from your body. Now, I am not saying that activated charcoal can cure a headache. But, a lemonade suffused with activated charcoal may help you recover faster in addition to contributing to a cleaner gut. In fact, activated charcoal laden juices and smoothies are fast becoming the health-conscious individual’s favoured “cup of tea” for their metabolism-boosting and cleansing effects.
There you have it, five benefits of Activated Charcoal for skin and hair care, reasons enough to introduce the wonder ingredient into your beauty routine. Do you have any favourite charcoal beauties products in your routine or have you seen any in this post you would like to try? Feel free to share in the comments below!
Bottom line: Personally, while I think it is worth giving the wondrous charcoal a chance to win over your beauty regime, incorporating it in your diet, as a beverage or part of any food product, may only be done under medical supervision.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor and this post shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. This is purely anecdotal, based on my own experience as well as the experience of others who use charcoal regularly. It is recommended that you consult your nutritionist or healthcare provider before using activated charcoal.