activated charcoal skin benefits

Safe & Toxin-Free: Activated Charcoal Has Incredible Skin Benefits

Charcoal may seem like an incredibly strange ingredient to find in your skincare products, that is until you learn all about its phenomenal skin benefits!

Unlike those chunks of charcoal that you may be familiar with for barbecuing, the type of charcoal you find in your skincare products is very different. Activated charcoal is created when regular charcoal is heated to make it more porous. It also undergoes an extensive cleaning process to ensure it’s not only clean but safe to use. Activated charcoal is formulated for medicinal or skin care use only.

Read on to find out all the incredible skin benefits activated charcoal has to offer and where it all started!

SKIN BENEFITS

Reduces odor

Because it helps bind toxins, in fact, it can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in toxins, activated charcoal is ideal for eliminating odors as a result of toxin build-up. Charcoal acts like a sponge, drawing in particles that may result in unfavorable odors. It neutralizes odors safely and effectively.

This is why we use it in our deodorants to help naturally neutralize underarm odors without causing irritation. If your skin tends to be quite sensitive then we highly recommend our Fresh+Active line with a wonderful trio of magnesium, charcoal and zinc ricinoleate to get those pits smelling fresh!

Provides a deep pore cleanse

Considering that activated charcoal is a toxin adsorbing superstar, you bet it’s going to help to provide the type of deep-down cleanse that dreams are made of! Activated charcoal will help to clean out your pores, which is especially helpful if you have problem or oily skin. Charcoal acts as a magnet, drawing impurities to the surface of the skin so you can finally start to enjoy clearer, happier and healthier skin.

Our Charcoal + Clay Soap and PURIFY Exfoliating Mask both contain a healthy dose of activated charcoal and work wonders to clean out dirt and grime from your pores. 

 

bar of activated charcoal soap for oily skin

 

Gentle exfoliating properties for smoother skin

Not only does charcoal provide a wonderful deep pore cleanse, when combined with our bentonite clay in our Moroccan Black Soap base, our EXFOLIATE Charcoal Scrub will help to provide a heavenly full-body detoxifying experience as it draws out toxins and impurities, and sloughs away dead skin for beautiful silky smooth skin and pits!

Has powerful antibacterial properties 

Activated charcoal helps to inhibit bacteria and fungus, making it ideal for many problem areas. These powerful antibacterial properties make it excellent for use on your skin as it helps to control bacteria that may manifest as skin blemishes and other skin issues. It's also excellent for your underarms to keep your pits fresh as daisies.

We hope you are excited to give this fantastic ingredient a try, you absolutely won’t be disappointed!

SHOP OUR ENTIRE CHARCOAL RANGE HERE

charcoal scrub

 

THE BEGINNINGS

Historical charcoal remedies

It was along the river River Nile around 3750 B.C. where without even realizing it, ancient Egyptians and Sumerians started benefiting from the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of charcoal.

Wooden posts that were damaged by fire and covered in charcoal were found not to go rotten when buried in the wet soil along the river.

Following this preservation method came the discovery of charcoal as an environmentally-friendly water treatment in 18th century ships, to embalming using charcoal in Egypt… and then finally the medicinal uses which came about around 1500 B.C.

The importance of charcoal activation

Despite all the medicinal uses for charcoal discovered centuries prior, it was only once the charcoal activation process came about that medical journals started reporting about its use as an antidote for toxic poison.

Toward the end of the 20th century, modern hospitals, poison control centers, clinics, and research departments were all active in the use of activated charcoal.

What makes activated charcoal for toxins so useful?

Once the activated charcoal is ingested, toxins are trapped within its tiny pores through a process known as “cation exchange.” This process creates a large complex that the body can’t absorb, and has to expel.

But, this has to happen almost immediately in cases of poison, and toxic compounds like mercury.

Today, activated charcoal is still widely used in cases of accidental drug overdose, poisoning, and even in “milder” situations like food poisoning and stomach problems.

 

These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For any medical concern you should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Full Medical Disclaimer.