Are you looking for charcoal soap benefits? Do the advertisements attract and inspire you to add a bar of the charcoal shop into your shopping cart? Well, before you do that, start scrolling down! We have spoken about its benefits and more beauty hacks below!
Charcoal has been in use for centuries, but recently there is a hype about charcoal and its enormous benefits. Apart from servicing as one of the best go-to solutions for beautiful skin, it leaves several effects on your health overall. So, if you are also on the verge of adding a bar of charcoal soap into your shopping cart, start reading the blog below!
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What is activated charcoal, and how is it made?
In ancient times, Hindus used charcoal to purify the water. Egyptians used to clean wounds with the help of charcoal.
During the 18th century, chemists and pharmacologists have studied charcoal and saw that it could protect the body from toxins. At present, it is used as an antidote for venom or prison.
Currently, people know that charcoal soap benefits skin and hair, and activated charcoal benefits health. A lot of products these days have charcoal as their key ingredients.
Activated charcoal or activated carbon is made when natural ingredients like coconut husks, regular coal, peat, and wood are burned down.
They are burned at a very high temperature and form carbonic charcoal, which is very lightweight. This is made when all the oxygen is removed from the ingredients either by steaming or controlled oxidation.
Due to this technique, the charcoal enlarges and has a porous surface, and these porous traps the toxins. Thus, from here, it is known as activated charcoal.
Charcoal soap benefits for skin
Check out the following charcoal soap benefits for skin:
Treats oily skin
Having oily skin can be a mess, especially during these summer months. Most of us probably tried a lot of different things.
But did you know one of the charcoal soap benefits is to get rid of excessive oil and the dirt from our skin?
It is true when you use a charcoal-based soap or cleanser, the excess oil and sebum get removed.
Flawless skin
Charcoal is effective in taking away the impurities from the pores. It also helps to remove the dead cells, thus gives you a flawless face.
Acne treatment with charcoal soap
One of the activated charcoal soap benefits is to get rid of acne. It helps to remove the toxins and impurities from the face, thus resulting in less acne.
Sometimes, it even helps to remove the acne marks, which are difficult to get rid of.
Reduce the size of the pores
If you are someone who stays outside a lot, especially in pollution, dust, and smoke, you will see dirt settling on the pores. Thus, they make them look bigger and more noticeable.
That’s why charcoal soaps are your best friend. It extracts the grime and dirt, also helps to reduce the size and unclog the pores.
Makes skin firmer and tighter
As we age, our face loses elasticity gradually. If you want to prolong the process, you need to take care of it from an early stage.
Charcoal can make the skin looking tighter and firmer for a long time.
Suits all skin types
Isn’t it great to know that one of the benefits of charcoal soap is that it suits all skin types? People will sensitive skin can use it as it helps to treat redness and allergies on their face.
Charcoal soap can remove the excess oil from the face. It has the properties to moisturize and hydrates the skin.
Stops premature aging
It helps to stop premature aging. When you use charcoal soap, it helps to get rid of the fine lines and wrinkles. Thus, prevent people from having dull skin and looking old.
Clears skin blemishes
If you start using charcoal soap every day, it will help you to get a blemish-free face.
Thus, some people use charcoal soap for skin whitening as it gives a brighter and lighter look.
It does this as it removes the impurities and dirt from the face.
Acts as an exfoliator
The texture of the charcoal soaps is a little bit gritty, which helps acts as a natural exfoliator. It helps to remove the dead cells, and due to the antimicrobial properties, it helps to get rid of infections.
If the charcoal soap has essential oils such as tea tree, the benefits of charcoal soap become more as it will have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
It also helps to treat eczema and psoriasis and stops skin infections from recurring.
Charcoal soap benefits for hair
Check out the following charcoal soap benefits for hair below:
Dandruff free hair
One of the charcoal soap benefits is that you can use it as a shampoo bar. It helps treat dry scalp, get rid of scalp infections.
When you use charcoal soap, you can remove dandruff, and if you mix activated charcoal with your hair oil, you can treat several scalp conditions.
Soft and grease-free hair
We all love to have our scalp squeaky clean with shiny hair. Try charcoal soaps because they can absorb hundreds of times more dirt and impurities than other shampoos.
Once you start using them, you will see all the dirt is washing away.
It deeply cleans the scalp and acts as a gentle exfoliator. In few weeks, your scalp and hair will be a lot healthier.
Scalp healer
A lot of us suffer from the itchy and irritated scalp, mainly due to pollution.
Unlike other products, charcoal soaps pull impurities directly from your scalp, naturally helping your scalp breathe easily after each wash.
Makes hair more bouncy
Everyone wants voluminous and bouncy hair. If you have thin, dull, and lifeless hair, give charcoal soap a try.
Charcoal deeply cleans the strands and efficiently takes away the impurities, so the hair feels lighter.
Just after one use, you will notice your locks will have a healthy bounce.
Increases hair growth
Our scalp is skin that means it will accumulate excess sebum, dirt, and oil. All of this affects hair growth and its quality.
Charcoal soap helps cleanse the dirt, impurities and wash away the excess sebum. Thus, the hair can breathe.
Moreover, the pores are also clean and detoxified, which in return helps for the growth of the hair.
Charcoal soap disadvantages
Now that you know the benefits, let us check out the disadvantages of using charcoal soap:
Ocular infection
While using the charcoal soap, if it accidentally goes inside the eyes, it can cause ocular infection. It means eye redness, vision disorder, and pain.
Thus, while applying charcoal soap, you better be careful and make sure it does not come in contact with your eyes.
No scientific data available
While a lot who uses charcoal has said its benefits and how it helps the skin and hair, there is no scientific proof.
There is a chance it might be risky for the skin as there is no 100 percent scientific backup.
Irritates the skin
Even though it is suitable for all skin types, some people do have extremely sensitive skin. For them using charcoal soap might backfire.
We would advise you to do a patch test before you use them.
DIY charcoal mask for face
If you are someone who wants to use activated charcoal powder, then here are some face masks you can use.
Charcoal and apple cider vinegar
It would be best if you had one teaspoon of activated charcoal powder and bentonite clay each, five drops of tea tree oil, and ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
Combine all of them in a bowl and make a semi-solid paste. Add water if it is too thick.
Keep it on for 10 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water. Do it once a week.
Unflavoured gelatine charcoal mask
You need ½ teaspoon of bentonite clay, one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin, one teaspoon of activated charcoal powder, and three tablespoons of hot water.
Add the hot water in bentonite clay, charcoal powder, and gelatine and mix them well.
Once the mixture is room temperature, apply it to the face. Keep it on for 15 minutes and do it twice a week for clear skin.
Charcoal mask with probiotics
Probiotics have components that help enhance the growth of those helpful bacteria and eliminate the harmful ones that cause acne.
You need one tablespoon of charcoal powder and clay each, one and ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one capsule of probiotics, and two drops of tea tree essential oil.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add more apple cider vinegar if the paste is not smooth. Apply it for 15 minutes on your face and wash it off with cold water.
Do it once in two weeks.
Charcoal mask to remove Blackhead
Blackheads are blocked pores, and due to dirt, they turn black and are more visible. This mask you can use as a face cleanser three times a week or as a face mask once a week.
You need two tablespoons of charcoal powder and castile soap (unscented) each, one tablespoon of vitamin E oil, jojoba, almond, and apricot kernel each, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and two and ½ tablespoon of rice flour (brown or white).
First, in a bowl, add the oil and castile soap. Then add the rice flour, charcoal powder, and baking soda.
The mixture will form some bubbles but keep stirring. Once it is creamy and smooth, please keep it in an airtight box in a dry and cool place.
To use it as a face cleanser, take a little bit of this mixture and mix it with water like how we normally use a face cleanser.
For a mask, please keep it on your face for 15 minutes so that it can absorb all the oils. Wash it off with water.
Charcoal face mask for skin tightening
Egg whites are known to help tighten the pores and firm the saggy skin. Though it is said, the egg white effects are temporary.
You need one egg white, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, and one and ½ teaspoon of charcoal powder.
First, beat the egg white until it is fluffy, and add the lemon juice and charcoal powder. If the mask is thick, then add few drops of water for a smooth paste
Apply it on the face, or if you have dry skin, then just on your T-zone. Wash it off after 10 minutes with lukewarm water.
Do it three times a month.
Charcoal powder with honey and matcha
If you suffer from inflammation and redness, then a charcoal honey mask will help you eliminate it.
Honey helps to nourish the skin and is used to treat rashes. Matcha is great as it has antioxidant properties and also helps with anti-aging.
You need two tablespoons of raw honey, one and ½ teaspoon of charcoal powder, and one teaspoon of matcha powder.
Mix all the ingredients and keep it on your face for 20 minutes. Wash it off with cool water.
Do this twice a week for glowing and healthy-looking skin.
Deep cleansing with charcoal and grains
If you want a gentle exfoliating, then this mask is for you. Oats and clay are easily available, and for mature skin, you can add ground almonds.
You need eight drops of tea tree essential oil, five drops of lavender essential oil, ¼ cup of oats and ground, three tablespoons of kaolin clay, four tablespoons of bentonite clay, and two tablespoons of charcoal powder.
Mix all the ingredients and keep it in an airtight box. When you are planning to use it, take a small amount like one teaspoon and add few drops of rose water or water
Very gently massage this in your face for 3 to 4 minutes and then keep it on for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Wash it off with cold water and do it once every ten days.
Charcoal and yogurt face mas
Yogurt has lactic acid, which helps dissolves the dead cells, and the charcoal works faster, pulling out the dirt and oil that are clogging the pores.
You need three tablespoons of unflavoured yogurt (preferably full fat and no added sugar), two tablespoons of honey, and two teaspoons of charcoal powder.
Blend them until it is a smooth and creamy paste. Apply it to the face and keep it on for 15 minutes.
Wash it off with cold water and apply face cream. Do this twice a week.
Final Thoughts
We told you about charcoal soap benefits and DIY masks that are worth trying.
Before you buy the soap, see charcoal soap reviews on the internet as the market is flooded with charcoal-infused products.
Whether you want to go for DIY or readymade soap, the choice is yours.
If you have ever suffered from any skin conditions, we suggest you talk to your dermatologist before you start using it.
Let us know in the comment section below if you ever use any charcoal soaps or charcoal powder and how it benefited you.