What Is Activated Charcoal and How to Use It
Charcoal may not be a sight for sore eyes, but this incredible ingredient has many benefits for your beauty and health. Did you know that some high-end hotels offer charcoal lemonade on their menu? This concoction is believed to clear toxins from the body, leaving you very energized.
Always wanted to have lovely white teeth? Then, activated charcoal could be your salvation. Of course, we recommend you to consult with your dentist before trying this remedy.
Activated charcoal powder or toothpaste can remove stains and plaque, leaving your mouth refreshed and your teeth whiter.
The ability of activated charcoal to absorb toxins makes it useful for reversing drug overdose. When administered with activated charcoal, drugs, and toxins get attached to the compound, eliminating the fatal substances from the body in the process.
Let us learn more about activated charcoal and its invaluable benefits.
Table of Contents:
- What is Activated Charcoal?
- Interesting Facts about Activated Charcoal
- Skin and Hair Benefits of Activated Charcoal
- Activated Charcoal Benefits for the Skin
- Activated Charcoal Benefits for the Hair
- Introducing Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo for Healthy Hair
- Introducing Activated Charcoal Face Mask for Healthy Skin
- Introducing the All-Natural Activated Charcoal Face Wash Gel
- Introducing Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash with Brush
What is Activated Charcoal?
Charcoal is derived from wood, coal, bone, and other substances. Activated charcoal forms when charcoal is combined with an activating agent, such as oxygen or similar gas, at high temperatures.
This treatment transforms the charcoal structure, making the compound more porous. The surface area of molecules in activated charcoal is larger, which is a key reason for the ability of the compound to absorb large amounts of toxins.
The porous area of activated charcoal carries a negative electrical charge. Positively-charged molecules such as those in gases and toxins attach themselves to activated charcoal as a result.
Activated charcoal is black and is devoid of any smell. It is used in its original powder form or is used in an encapsulated form as a supplement. Activated charcoal is also included in a range of products, from food to cosmetics.
Interesting Facts About Activated Charcoal
- Activated charcoal is manufactured using a specialized process. So, it cannot be obtained through food.
- The human gut does not absorb activated charcoal. The compound passes through the body and reaches the gut in its original form. Toxins and gases absorbed by activated charcoal get sucked into the gut and are eliminated through stools. The body thus becomes free of toxins.
- Adsorption is another property of activated charcoal that gives health benefits. Activated charcoal can attract liquids and gases, a property that helps reduce the condition of flatulence.
- Activated charcoal has been in use as a remedy for poisoning for centuries. The compound has the ability to bind to harmful drugs, which reduces their poisoning effects.
- Activated charcoal can help clean water by removing contaminants, including micro-organisms. The compound does so without impacting the taste or pH of water.
Skin and Hair Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has become the go-to compound for skin and hair health. This compound imparts a healthy shine and glow to your skin. Activated charcoal benefits the skin and hair with its ability to absorb impurities.
Hair and skin are exposed to the elements and numerous impurities throughout the day. Activated charcoal can help you remove these impurities and prevent any skin and hair damage beforehand.
Activated Charcoal Benefits for the Skin
- Deep Pore Cleansing – When used as an ingredient in a facewash, activated charcoal enters deep into your skin pores and sucks out dirt and impurities. Unclean and clogged pores are the starting point for skin issues such as acne.
When pores are clogged, natural oil and nourishment do not reach the skin, resulting in dehydration and oiliness.
A clear skin complexion comes from clean pores. A regular skincare routine with activated charcoal keeps pores clean and improves complexion. You are sure to feel fresh and rejuvenated after a beauty session with activated charcoal.
- Keeps Oiliness Under Check – Pores can get clogged with dead skin cells, impurities, and excess oil. When pores are clogged, natural oil secretion from the pores is reduced.
Skin glands produce more oil to compensate for this reduction in body oil, which in turn clogs the pores. This cycle of events increases the oiliness of the skin.
Activated charcoal keeps oiliness under check by keeping pores clean. When pores are clean, there is no excess secretion of oil.
- Prevents Acne – Clogged pores can lead to acne when bacteria enter the pores through a cut or opening on the skin. Activated charcoal prevents acne breakouts by unclogging pores.
- Heals Skin Irritations – Activated charcoal has excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Heals, cuts, bites, redness, and other skin irritations can heal better upon the application of cosmetics such as creams or lotions with activated charcoal.
Activated Charcoal Benefits for the Hair
- Removes Impurities and Toxins – Activated charcoal removes impurities from the hair and pores with more efficiency. You can use shampoo with activated charcoal for deep cleaning of your hair.
- Aids in Maintaining Healthy Hair – Activated charcoal can be used to address dandruff, scalp itchiness, and excess oiliness of the hair. By removing impurities from pores, activated charcoal keeps the scalp clean.
The above conditions prevent healthy hair growth. By keeping these damaging factors under check, activated charcoal helps maintain healthy hair.
- May Improve Hair Volume – Did you know that impurities, dead skin cells, and scalp oils can increase the weight of your hair by 4%?
Hair strands clogged with impurities start to sag. Regular shampoos may not get rid of all the impurities buried deep in the pores. But shampoos with activated charcoal pull dirt and impurities from deep within the pores.
Unlike regular shampoos, activated charcoal shampoos pull out dirt without leaving any residue. As a result, your hair is cleaner, lighter, and has more volume.
- Helps Treat Scalp Conditions – Common scalp conditions such as oiliness, redness, dandruff, and itching, respond well to activated charcoal. A shampoo formulated with activated charcoal cleanses the scalp by penetrating deep into hair follicles and pores.
Introducing Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo for Healthy Hair
Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo by WOW Skin Science combines the detoxification benefits of activated charcoal with the goodness of other plant actives.
Activated charcoal does a deep detox on your hair, purifying your strands and scalp. Other ingredients include keratin, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil.
Keratin is a key protein essential for maintaining the healthy structure of hair and skin. This protein helps smooth frizzy hair by softening the cells that make your strands.
Sweet almond oil nourishes hair all through, transforming dry, lifeless strands into healthy and glossy hair. While activated charcoal purifies strands, sweet almond oil treats hair damage.
Together, these ingredients protect hair from dandruff and the scalp from infections and inflammation.
Sweet almond oil is rich in Vitamins E and A, which are essential for healthy hair and scalp.
Jojoba oil is rich in monosaturated fats, which help lock in moisture in the strands and scalp. It helps manage frizzy and dry hair and minimizes damage by strengthening strands. This oil also helps maintain the pH of your scalp and works as a lubricant for the scalp.
Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and it is primarily a moisturizer that keeps the hair shaft deeply moisturized.
It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent or ease symptoms of scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. The antioxidant activity also helps prevent damage by excess sun exposure.
These ingredients are well-complemented by aloe vera extract in the formulation. Apart from promoting hair growth, aloe vera reduces scalp itchiness and strengthens hair strands.
Together, these ingredients work to deliver a strong scalp and hair. The amber packaging of the shampoo preserves the quality and efficacy of the contents.
For the best results, wet the hair with warm water. Apply the shampoo and run through the length of the strands. Massage your scalp for 2 to 3 minutes. Then rinse the hair with warm water. Follow it up with a cold-water rinse.
Introducing Activated Charcoal Face Mask for Healthy Skin
The Activated Charcoal Face Mask uses the detoxifying properties of activated charcoal with the skin-benefitting properties of licorice extract and alteromonas ferment extract. Activated charcoal offers deep skin cleansing capabilities. Licorice extract delivers a soothing effect on the skin. It reduces the chances of skin developing spots and rashes.
Alteromonas ferment extract derived from the sea waters of French Polynesia softens skin.
These natural ingredients act together to remove impurities caused by pollution and other environmental factors from the skin. The cleansing action happens gently without any damage to the skin.
The result? Clear skin with a fabulous glow!
Introducing the All-Natural Activated Charcoal Face Wash Gel
A gel-type face wash for your skin, the Activated Charcoal Face Wash, eliminates harmful contamination from your skin completely. With only natural ingredients powering the formulation, you don’t need to worry about your skin drying out.
Upon application, activated charcoal works to remove dirt, impurities, and free radicals from the skin. Tea tree essential oil, another ingredient in the formulation, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help soothe the skin. If you already have any existing conditions, such as acne, then this face wash gel helps calm symptoms.
Thanks to tea tree oil, this face gel can ease symptoms of dry skin such as itchiness and irritation.
This gel can also reduce the oiliness of the skin due to the antiseptic properties of the oil.
The anti-inflammatory action of tea tree oil soothes inflammation symptoms such as redness, pain, and irritation. The antibacterial properties of the oil fasten the healing of any skin irritations, cuts, wounds, and infections you may have.
Aloe vera extract in the formulation provides plenty of hydration to the skin, imparting a youthful glow to the skin.
For noticeable results, use the gel as per instructions. Wash your face and neck enough to wet the areas. Take a dime-sized gel and rub it softly over these areas. Use circular motions to spread the gel. Massage for a minute and rinse with cool water. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Experience the feel of clean and rejuvenated skin with this activated charcoal face wash.
Introducing Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash with Brush
Get the best exfoliation results with the Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash with Brush. The product comes with a brush applicator, which enables deep skin detox for clear skin.
The brush applicator with its silicone bristles helps spread the detoxifying power of activated charcoal to deeper levels of the skin. As a result, cleansing is much deeper and the skin is far clearer.
The brush removes superficial dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells while activated charcoal penetrates deep into the skin for a complete cleanse.
The gentle motions of the brush on the skin boost blood flow to the face, adding a natural glow.
This formulation is packed with the goodness of activated charcoal, aloe vera extract, and tea tree oil.
Activated charcoal performs purification of the skin removing dirt, grime, and free radicals.
Aloe vera extract is a powerful ingredient that delivers a range of benefits to the skin. The goodness of this ingredient adds more power to the cleansing strength of activated charcoal. Aloe vera is an excellent moisturizer. It moisturizes the skin without giving a greasy look or feels to the skin. It reduces the dullness and dryness of the skin, making it supple and smooth.
Aloe vera penetrates into the skin faster than water does. As a result, it can speed up the process of cell regeneration. In addition, the extract is rich in polysaccharides, which facilitate the growth of new skin cells.
Aloe vera can also limit the skin damage caused by free radicals and the sun.
You can use this face wash even if you have any skin conditions or irritations such as acne and sunburn. Deep cleansing apart, the presence of aloe vera prevents acne breakouts, thanks to the antibacterial properties of the extract.
Vitamins E and C in aloe vera work well with the detoxifying property of activated charcoal to fight anti-aging of the skin. Regular use of this face wash reduces wrinkles and improves skin elasticity.
Tea tree oil is the next ingredient in this formulation. This essential oil delivers a sanitizing action with its antimicrobial properties. It protects the skin from harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
If you already have a skin condition such as eczema, then this face wash can be the best addition to your skin care routine. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it also effectively eases irritation symptoms.
The natural ingredients used along with activated charcoal in this formulation bring their own fabulous benefits to the skin, making it healthier and stronger than before.
A deep detox with activated charcoal delivers complete skin cleansing. Free your skin off harmful impurities and dryness. Get a clear and youthfully plump skin with this plant actives-powered formulation.
Getting rid of toxins and pollutants is the most effective way to maintain the natural health and beauty of your hair and skin. Activated charcoal pulls dirt from deep within the pores and delivers a deep clean. It is a simple, effective, and affordable ingredient you can include in your skin and hair care routine.
With WOW Skin Science products that use activated charcoal, benefits to the skin and hair multiply. Together, they help remove impurities without harming your skin and hair in the process. They strengthen your hair and skin from within.
WOW Skin Science products are safe and contain other natural ingredients along with activated charcoal. They are paraben-free, sulfate-free, dermatologically tested, and 100% vegan.
Healthy hair and skin start with a good choice of products. With WOW Skin Science, you get the peace of mind that you are using natural and chemical-free products.
Recommended Products with Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal Face Mask
Charcoal 2 in 1 Shampoo & Body Wash
Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo
Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash with Brush
