Activated charcoal is the latest ingredient that has been introduced to take the beauty industry to a whole new level. Its presence in the market has also been a major blow for major cosmetic favorites, such as clay and coconut oil in giving them a run for their money.
The use of activated charcoal has long been used in the medical field to treat poisoning by drugs, dangerous chemicals, and snakes. This is because its alkalinity helps in neutralizing the acids found in poisons.
Currently, most people have taken the use of activated charcoal into their homes. While some use it as detox cleansers, others use it as teeth whiteners and for skin treatments.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal has been used for quite a long time. In World War I, this ingredient was used in gas masks by soldiers to prevent them from being exposed to dangerous gases. Since 1930, the use of activated charcoal in filters was used to clean water and remove impurities and odors for human consumption.
Activated charcoal is similar to normal charcoal. The only difference is that activated charcoal has been made entirely for medicinal use.
To create it, regular charcoal is superheated by a gas, which allows it to expand, creating a porous surface that increases its ability to absorb toxins and impurities. What makes activated charcoal the most absorbent cosmetic ingredient in the market is its ability to absorb thousands of its weight in impurities.
One thing about activated charcoal is that it has a large surface area equivalent to a 150,000 square-foot field. This is the main reason why a small portion of activated charcoal is able to absorb large amounts of toxins, atoms, and ions.
This super absorbency and its anti-bacterial properties are the main reasons why activated charcoal is the best ingredient for tackling acne, rashes, and pimples on your skin.
Why Activated Charcoal?
As we have seen above, activated charcoal has super absorbency and antibacterial properties which makes it an ideal ingredient to be used on our skin. Apart from being used as face masks, most people have gone ahead to use this ingredient in soaps and washes, which are the best choices in removing irritation and restoring healthy skin for an even-toned complexion.
When used as a charcoal soap, this ingredient is capable of removing acne and bumps from your skin, leaving it smooth and healthy. It can also be used as a full body detox, and washing your hands with charcoal soap helps to reduce pigmentation and tighten your skin, making your hands look younger.
If that wasn’t enough to have you grab an activated charcoal soap, then note that this soap can be used as an anti-aging ingredient.
Research has revealed that activated charcoal soap helps to tighten pores, smooth skin, and restore its elasticity. It also reduces inflammation, which is ideal in preventing premature aging.
Other benefits of activated charcoal soap include; moisturizing your skin, fighting odors, especially on the armpits, as well as softening and conditioning your skin.
Learn More: How to make your own Activated Charcoal Soap
Acne Control with Charcoal Soap
Your skin is a living organ that has pores. These pores and the skin’s permeable membrane allow bacteria, chemicals, and other toxins to pass in and out of your body. On the other hand, acne is caused by blocked pores, dirt, and bacteria, existing on the surface of the skin. It’s also caused by excess sebum/oil on the surface, as well as lack of a healthy diet.
Applying activated charcoal soap on your skin will help solve this problem. With super absorbency and antibacterial properties, the soap is capable of removing detritus from your skin surface, as well as penetrating beneath the skin to remove toxins and other harmful chemicals.
For adults with mild acne, washing your skin with activated charcoal soap prevents the acne outbreak and keeps your skin protected against any type of chemicals and toxins. However, don’t expect charcoal soap to do all the magic. To achieve healthy skin, you’ll be required to eat healthy meals, use anti-aging agents, such as benzoyl peroxide, and moisturize your skin regularly.
Read: Our Acne Guide
Recommended Soaps
To ensure that you get the best charcoal soap which will help your skin maintain its tightness and health, we have included reviews of some of the best charcoal soaps available on the market.
SoapWalla Glycerin Soap Bar: Activated Charcoal and Petitgrain
I love Soapwalla’s soaps, unlike other soaps that seem to melt and get used up quickly, Soapwalla’s soaps will last you a long time.
Soapwalla makes vegan soaps that are free from chemicals, artificial colors, and fragrances.
This particular soap contains activated bamboo charcoal from new growth forests, as well as Australian tea tree, Egyptian Petitgrain, and rose geranium essential oils.
This special soap has the ability to penetrate deep inside your skin to remove all toxins and chemicals, leaving you with moisturized, healthy and smooth skin. Get it on Amazon.
SAPO Bamboo Charcoal Soap Bar
This special cleansing bar soap has been used throughout time due to its ability to remove toxins from your skin. It’s made from organic bamboo charcoal and other natural ingredients, which include; shea butter, sea salt, oatmeal, and grapefruit essential oil.
It lathers well, leaving your skin feeling soft, clean and moisturized with no residue. The creators of this soap are so confident that you will love it, that they offer a 1-year money-back guarantee! Learn more at Amazon.com.
Aspen Kay Naturals Dead Sea Mineral Mud Soap
Mineral-rich Dead Sea mud is combined with activated bamboo charcoal and therapeutic essential oils to draw out impurities, gently exfoliate, improve blood circulation, and provide relief for people with acne, eczema, or psoriasis.
This soap leaves your face clean and clear without containing harsh chemicals. All of the ingredients are organic and sustainable. Read the hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon for this amazing soap.
Other benefits of activated charcoal
Apart from healing your skin, activated charcoal has other important benefits which include;
- Relieving bites and bee stings– mixing activated charcoal with water and flaxseed powder helps in curing bee stings, snake bites, and spider bites.
- Eliminate gas– research has revealed that activated charcoal can be used to relieve gas from your stomach after eating too much food, such as beans. It can also treat an upset stomach or even nausea.
- Whiten teeth– although it sounds bizarre, activated charcoal can be used for whitening teeth. Simply sprinkle some charcoal onto your toothpaste, then thoroughly brush it away. After some time, you’ll notice that your teeth are whiter than before.
Conclusion
Activated charcoal soap has widely been used by many people to treat acne and other skin related infections. It is a great ingredient to have in soap because it adds to the soap’s cleansing power.
If you are interested in other products containing activated charcoal, check out our reviews on May Lindstrom’s Clean Dirt and Mahalo’s Pele Mask.
Have you had any success with activated charcoal soap?
If you really care for your health then you need to use antibacterial soap to prevent germs or bacteria. Soap must carry the essential oil proprieties in it.
thanks for the tip 🙂
I’m trying to come up with a good way to make my soap more effective. I didn’t know that charcoal was actually a good material for this! It seems like using activated charcoal soap isn’t a bad idea! I’ll have to give it a try.
Hi Andrea,
Do these soaps work well with men’s skin as well?
Thanks
Yes Terry, they do work well on men’s skin 🙂
I used active charcoal if I am not feeling well in my digestion I pour a teaspoon of it on my drink. I don’t know that it can be used as soap too, Oh I just remember something….there’s this commercial of facial cream with active charcoal ingredients for men.
I just tried Oh Organics Peppermint Charcoal handmade soap from Amazon and it’s helped heal my spring bug bites.
That is so great to hear Gary, thanks for sharing!
Never use anti bacterial soap. They kill many but not all germs etc., and create super viruses/bacteria. The goal of soap is to wash away impurities, not kill them. The whole reason to make your own soap is to stop dumping chemicals on your skin.