Benefits of Activated Charcoal Soap

Charcoal grill

For most of my life, I only associated charcoal with grilling meats on a hot summer day.  As I began researching for natural ingredients to add to my handmade soap recipes, I found out a whole lot more about this amazing, versatile compound that offers wonderful benefits for the skin.   

What is Activated Charcoal?

Natural materials such as wood, regular charcoal, peat, or coconut shells are burned to produce the activated charcoal used in bath and body care products. To make activated carbon, the raw material is burned at a very high temperature. By controlled oxidation and/or steam treatment, all the oxygen is removed from the raw material. The charcoal expands during this process, generating a porous surface that traps pollutants. The process "activates" the charcoal and improves its natural absorption capacity.  This makes activated charcoal so effective and beneficial to the human body.

Activated Charcoal Powder

​Is activated charcoal soap good for the skin?

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and therefore a very vital organ. If you have problematic skin, regular use of charcoal cosmetics can help.  It is effective in treating oily skin, acne, cleansing pores, and removing unwanted sebum from the face and body (ideal for oily skin). Activated charcoal, as an antioxidant, is an excellent choice for cosmetic use.  
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Most people worry about activated charcoal drying out their skin; however, there is no need to worry.  While it removes excess sebum from oily skin, it also hydrates and nourishes dry skin. It can be used daily on your face and body.  We recommend use in the morning and evening with water that is as soft as possible (you don't always choose ...) and at body temperature. Water that is too cold or hot can dry out the skin.  

​The easiest way to reap the benefits of this fascinating compound is to use bar soaps made with activated charcoal.  It’s fast and leaves far less of a mess in your bathroom.  Charcoal soap is suitable for all skin types and can be used from head to toe.  Due to its porous nature and oxygenating properties, there is no need to worry about the soap staining your wash clothes and towels.

Soap made with Acitivated Charcoal

What are the benefits of activated charcoal in soap?

1.  It is great for oily skin.
If you suffer from oily skin, activated charcoal soap can help to balance skin. Activated charcoal soap can remove excess oil from your skin as well as the dirt on it. This gives you a smooth and matte look. In addition, it effectively removes unwanted shine from the face and body

2.  It detoxifies the skin.
Activated charcoal soap also removes dead skin cells, leaving your skin clean and perfect. Toxins bind to the activated carbon, which clears the pores of the pollutants that cause blackheads. It also detoxifies the skin by absorbing impurities, deep detritus, and environmental contaminants. Your skin should be smooth, and your pores should be visibly refined after using it.

3.  It helps control acne.
Activated charcoal may be beneficial depending on the specifics of your acne, its severity, causes, and other variables. Activated charcoal soap is well-known for its effectiveness in the treatment of acne. As a result, the soap clears the acne. It can even be used to remove acne scars on the face. Pairing activated charcoal soap with tea tree essential oil adds natural antifungal and antibacterial that may be beneficial to the skin.

4.  It Reduces Pore Size.
Throughout the day, dirt and toxins settle on your pores, making them more visible and larger. When your pores aren't healthy, neither is your skin tone. Charcoal soap is the best solution to this problem because it adsorbs of toxins and removes pollutants and fat from the surface of the skin and beneath it, making pores less noticeable and reducing their size.

5.  It Gently Exfoliates Skin.
Activated charcoal soap has a fine, grainy texture that provides gentle exfoliation. It aids in the removal of dead skin cells while its antimicrobial properties help prevent skin infections. In order to enhance the bactericidal properties of our handmade activated charcoal soap, we added essential oils of tea tree, lavender, and rosemary, which have antibacterial and antiseptic properties that treat skin problems and help heal wounds.

Charcoal Soap made with Pine Tar

Activated black charcoal: for what type of skin?

Oily skin and combination skin:
For combination or oily skin, charcoal is a must-have. It aids in the prevention of clogged pores and the growth of bacteria caused by excess sebum. Because of its high adsorption capacity, sebum will be able to " wipe " and cleanse the pores in depth, removing toxins that attack the skin on a daily basis.

Acne-prone Skin:
Charcoal is a natural ingredient that traps toxins and destroys bacteria. It has absorbent qualities which detoxifies and regenerate skin. It is strongly recommended for skin prone to acne and small pimples.

Skin Exposed to Environmental Toxins:
Smokers and people with an urban lifestyle are also recommended to use cosmetics based on activated charcoal. This natural ingredient will allow you to perform a deep cleansing of the skin and get rid of toxins that attack your skin.

Dry Skin:
Known and recognized for its power of absorption, one might think that charcoal is not recommended for dry and sensitive skin. Subject to discomfort and tightness, these skin types more often turn to a treatment that will moisturize the skin.  Just as they shy away from clays, known for its "blotting" effect, charcoal can be classified in the same category.  Charcoal, on the other hand, detoxifies the skin without breaking or modifying the hydrolipidic film that protects the skin and functions as a barrier against irritation and tightness.  As a result, charcoal is a valuable ally in the fight against dry skin.
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Mature skin:
Activated charcoal is good for maturing skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. Charcoal works by forming a barrier to free radicals. It allows the skin to detoxify and regenerate itself naturally. Charcoal is a great natural ingredient that helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles naturally.

Rhassoul Clay and Activated Charcoal Soap

Does charcoal soap remove dark spots?

​Although charcoal soap is great for exfoliating the skin and encouraging new skin cell growth, it does not lighten the skin. Its active ingredients help to reduce pigment spots (acne, scars, sunspots) and even the skin tone, but it does not “bleach” or “whiten” the skin.  

Activated Charcoal is a Great Addition to your Skincare Routine.

While it removes excess sebum from oily skin, it also hydrates and nourishes dry skin. The easiest way to reap the benefits of this compound is to use bar soaps made with activated charcoal soap.