Is Charcoal Good for Your Skin

Activated charcoal is a product that has recently gained immense popularity in beauty and skincare products even though its use in skincare dates back to the ancient Egyptian era. It has a great ability of binding to toxins, impurities, bacteria. It is generally used as an exfoliating, detoxifying agent because of its strong adsorption properties.

Is Charcoal Good for your skin?

Even though there is no proven theory about the effectiveness of charcoal in skin health improvement, it has become an important ingredient in multiple skincare products.

DIY Charcoal Face Mask:

While there are many over the counter options for beauty products containing activated charcoal, apart from charcoal there are also other trace elements present in their which may be harmful to skin.

Instead of buying a mask from local drugstore you can also make one easily at home.

Here we are going to mention few DIY Charcoal facemask recipes for you to try on:

DIY ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACEMASK INGREDIENTS:

You’ll need towels, measuring bowls and spoons along with following

INGREDIENTS:

• WATER- 2tsp.
• BENTONITE CLAY- 1tsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL POWDER-1 tsp.
• RAW HONEY- 1 tsp.
• ESSENTIAL OIL- 1-2drops (optional)

Charcoal and clay are strong adsorbent which can help in detoxification of skin and removal of impurities.

Make sure to cover your work space with a towel or a cloth in order to avoid char staining.

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl, mix water and essential oil (you can use any essential oil of your choice).
2. To above oil and water mixture add, bentonite clay and allow it rest for some time so it can absorb the oil.
3. Now add in activated charcoal powder and honey to the paste and combine by stirring and make a paste.

PRECAUTIONS:

Avoid using if you have dry skin, as this may absorb the oils in your skin and make it drier.

Also Read: How to Apply Eyeshadow Step by Step for Beginners

DIY Activated Charcoal and Apple Cider Vinegar Mask:

INGREDIENTS:

• BENTONITE CLAY- 1tsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL POWDER- 1tsp.
• ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR- 1tsp.
• TEA TREE OIL-2-3drops

While activated charcoal absorbs the impure toxins from skin, apple cider vinegar helps in preventing acne breakouts.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and add in water to obtain desired consistency paste.

Precautions:

Charcoal may cause harsh side effect on people with dry and sensitive skin.

DIY Activated Charcoal and Probiotics Mask:

Charcoal absorbs the oil and probiotics help to prevent acne breakout.

This mask is beneficial for people who have oily skin and frequent acne breakouts.

INGREDIENTS:

• BENTONITE CLAY- 2tbsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL- 2tbsp.
• PROBIOTIC CAPSULE- 1capsule
• RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR- 2tbsp.
• ESSENTIAL OIL FOR ACNE – 2/3drops

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all the powdered ingredients in a bowl and add in apple cider vinegar.
2. Make a desired consistency paste and add essential oil.
3. Apply the mask using a brush; keep it on for 15minutes and rinse.

PRECAUTIONS:

Avoid using if you have dry or sensitive skin.

DIY Charcoal -Blackhead Busting Mask/Scrub:

This mask also works as a cleanser.

Impurity absorbing ability of charcoal is useful to unclog clogged pores of facial skin also known as blackheads.

INGREDIENTS:

• UNSCENTED LIQUID CASTILE SOAP- 2tbsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL- 2tsp.
• BAKING SODA- 1tbsp.
• FINELY GROUNDED RICE FLOUR- 2tbsp.
• ALMOND/JOJOBA OIL- 1tbsp.

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, stir castile soap and almond oil
2. Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal (the mixture may bubble slightly)
3. Stir until a smooth creamy mixture is formed and stored in a closed container.
4. Apply on the damp face using fingers avoiding the area around the eyes. Keep for 10minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

DIY Charcoal Yoghurt Face Mask:

INGREDIENTS:

• UNFLAVOURED,FULL FAT GREEK YOGHURT- 2-3 tbsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL- 1-2tsp.
• RAW HONEY (optional) 1-2tsp.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend yoghurt, charcoal and honey make a creamy paste.
2. Apply generously on face and neck using fingers or silicon brush
3. Leave on for 20minutes and rinse.

Lactic acid in the mask dissolves the dead skin cell layer and the charcoal entraps the impurities, giving you a nice glowing skin. 

DIY Charcoal and Deep Cleansing Grains Mask:

INGREDIENTS:

• FINELY GROUND OATS- ¼ cup
• BENTONITE CLAY- ¼ cup
• KAOLIN CLAY- ¼ cup
• LAVENDER/ TEA TREE OIL- 7drops
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL CAPSULES- 10 capsules
• FINELY GROUND( if looking for anti-aging effect )

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir in all the powdered ingredients in oils and store them in a close jar.
2. When required to use, add 2-3tsp. rose water or water to little amount of powder and oil mixture to make a wet paste and apply on your face gently using fingers.
3. Leave for 10-15 minutes for deep cleansing effect.

This is an anytime ready to use facemask for deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation.

Activated Charcoal Peel Off Facemasks:

A peel off mask help to efficiently remove dirt impurities clogged in pores as blackheads leaving a soft and improvised skin texture.

An activated charcoal peel off mask does an excellent job in removing all the grime, dirt and impurities from the skin.

Here we are mentioning few DIY activated charcoal peel off mask that you can easily make at home.

Please perform a swatch test on your arm 24hours prior use.

 DIY ACTIVATED CHARCOAL PEEL OFF MASK WITHOUT CLAY:

Ingredients:

• UNFLAVOURED GELATIN- 2 ½ tsp.
• WATER- 2tbsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL- 1tsp.

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a heat-resistant bowl, combine gelatin in water and microwave for 20seconds.
2. When gelatin is completely dissolved, add in activated charcoal.
3. Allow the mask to cool down and reach viscous consistency.
4. Mix well and apply gently using a brush or fingers.
5. Leave on for 20minutes or until dry and rinse off.

Activated charcoal in the mask entraps the impurities and peels them off along with the mask.

However, this mask does not to prevent acne breakouts.

DIY Charcoal Peel Off Mask with bentonite clay:

INGREDIENTS:

• UNFLAVOURED GELATIN-1tsp.
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL- 1tsp.
• BENTONITE CLAY- ½ tsp.
• BOILING WATER- 2tbsp.

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl, mix gelatin, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay
2. Add boiling water to the dry mixture, and stir vigorously removing all the lumps in the mixture.
3. When the mixture cools down, apply generously.
4. It takes around 20-30 minutes to dry.
5. When dried carefully peel the mask off and rinse your face to remove any leftover charcoal bits.

TIPS WHEN USING A PEEL OFF MASK:

1. Always cleanse your skin prior to usage of a peel-off mask.
2. Apply the mask evenly using a brush.
3. Avoid the area near the eyes and mouth as the skin there is sensitive.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry your face.
5. Apply a gentle moisturizer after using the peel-off mask.

Must Read: 13 DIY Face Masks for Glowing and Smooth Skin

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN USING CHARCOAL FACEMASKS:

Though charcoal is generally considered safe, it is best if few precautionary and safety measures are followed.

1. Always do a swatch test before applying a mask on the face.
2. Use a cleanser before applying the mask.
3. Apply an even layer of mask.
4. Avoid using near the eyes and mouth area, as the skin there is very sensitive.
5. If you feel an itchy or burning sensation after applying the mask, rinse off the mask immediately and rub an ice cube on the face.
6. Do not keep the mask for too long as it dries off your skin easily.
7. Always use a gentle moisturizer after washing off the mask.
8. Use charcoal face masks once in 2-3 weeks only.
9. If your eczema, dry skin, sensitive skin avoid using charcoal masks.
10. In case you develop an itchy feeling, redness, swelling on the face, burning sensation after using the mask avoid using a charcoal mask.

BENEFITS OF CHARCOAL MASKS:

Charcoal mask is the trending buzz in  beauty world, it detoxifies your skin and gives it a smooth and soft appearance.

With elevated pollution levels, skin pore clogging have become a major skin issue giving rise to many issues like acne, oily skin, dull complexion.

Activated charcoal when used topically aids in removing dirt and grime by giving your skin a thorough cleansing.

• Reduce oil production:

Charcoal controls oil production, making it perfectly suitable for acne prone and blemish prone skin.

This is also beneficial for oil prone skin in summer days when oil secretion is excessive as charcoal gives a matte finish to the oily skin.

• Clear pores and brightened skin:

Charcoal, get rids of the dust and impurities on skin.

Charcoal has an amazing skin penetration effect which helps in deep cleansing of skin and unclogs the pores from depth giving it deep purification.

• Removes dead skin cells:

Charcoal exfoliates your skin and removes dead epidermal cells leaving skin with a brighter complexion.

• Treat acne:

Charcoal helps to get rid of acne causing substances like dead skin cell buildup, excess sebum, clogged pores.

It also help to minimize the size of zits and acne.

• Activated charcoal mask for dry skin:

If you have dry skin, add in hydrating agents to your DIY mask inorder to prevent excessive drying of skin.

You can add vitamin E oil, almond oil, jojoba oil in the mixture.

• Charcoal facemask acts an antibacterial and antimicrobial:

Charcoal helps as an antibacterial and antimicrobial by killing any microbes and bacteria in the skin.

A charcoal mask sometimes helps when you get bitten by insect or develop skin rash.

• Detoxifying effect by charcoal:

Charcoal is the best detoxifying agent available in the market.

Throughout the day there are various factors contributing to toxin buildup under the skin.

In order to cleanse skin deeply, a mask with activated charcoal is the best option as it has amazing absorption properties.

It binds to the toxins removes them from the skin and leaves your skin bright and glowing.