Charcoal masks are a great new trend in facial care that can bring you plenty of benefits if you learn how to use it properly. Beauty experts all over the world recommend it and praise it as a cure-all for skin issues.
However, do you know enough about proper uses of this mask and its benefits?
Read on to learn all about the charcoal mask.
Are charcoal masks good for your skin?
This is one of the latest great trends in skin care and beauty. You have probably heard something about it or seen it somewhere online as a recommendation from someone famous.
The goal of these masks is to give you a clear, blackhead-free skin and a glow that you didn’t have before. It’s also supposed to detoxify your skin.
Charcoal has been used for medical purposes for a long time as a way to absorb toxins from the people who overdosed with drugs. People in the cosmetic industry have seen the effects that this substance can have and they have decided to apply it to the skin. In fact, some of the products you already use might have some charcoal in them. It absorbs pollutants from your skin and leaves it clean and healthy.
Scientific studies have not yet proven the effect that charcoal has on the skin but there hasn't been any cases of inflammation or irritation reported either. This is precisely why you’ll find charcoal in everything from makeup removers to toothpaste.
A face mask made of charcoal can remove any impurities from your face and make your pores tighter.
It has a unique ability to absorb toxins and there have been many successful cases reported.
Many companies want in on this trend because it became such a big deal in the beauty community. And you’ll see that a lot of the instructional videos involve people peeling their skin in pain.
Some products might cause rashes, burns and similar issues and that’s why you need to be careful when choosing your product.
Beauty products that come from other countries are often not as regulated as products made in the US so you should be especially careful with them – something inside these products may be something you wouldn't want on your skin. Choose a mask with credible reviews.
If you opt for a DIY face mask, you should be careful not to buy a wrong ingredient, make sure that it is activated charcoal that you are buying and that all of the other ingredients are fresh and healthy for your skin as well.
If you are wondering if charcoal masks really work, you should know that it depends on your skin type and your general reactions to products. Some people see awesome results. Some people don’t see any. Picking a quality product is the first step to achieving results. Talking to a dermatologist is another option – see what they think about it and whether it can work for you.
If you are still unsure if the charcoal masks are a good option for you, stick to the regular routine that has already worked for you.
Is activated charcoal good for acne?
If you have acne, you have probably tried plenty of products and natural remedies to get rid of them. However, as with most people, these products often fail.
Activated charcoal is an ancient remedy that might help you. It has been used for a great number of issues including facial problems. Activated charcoal absorbs dust, dirt, microbes, germs and bacteria. It can be good to treat acne.
Activated charcoal is good for acne prone skin in many ways. You can get the activated charcoal powder or a face mask, soap and so on. These products are easily available and efficient.
Does charcoal lighten skin?
One of the best ways to use activated charcoal is to lighten your skin. This is a gentle exfoliant and it scrapes off dead skin cells from the skin surface. This can help your fresh, young skin shine through. All of the blemishes, acne scars, dark spots and similar skin issues will be gone.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help issues heal – you can use it to treat hyperpigmentation, blemishes, discolored skin etc. All of this helps to lightening your skin.
Another thing you could do with active charcoal is to use it on your underarms. It will remove dark and dead skin which makes your underarms look grey and if you continue to use it in the long-term, you’ll see many great results.
- Use an activated charcoal soap
- Make an activated charcoal face scrub
- Create an underarm scrub
DIY charcoal mask
Charcoal masks are really effective in helping your skin find its glow again. It’s very simple and easy to make and it involves other ingredients which can help it act even better.
Here is the best charcoal mask recipe.
You will need:
1 tablespoon of bentonite clay
1 tablespoon of activated charcoal powder
1 tablespoon of water
1 drop of tea tree oil
1 drop of lavender oil
½ tablespoon of honey
How to mix it:
Add water and essential oils in a small bowl then sprinkle the bentonite clay over the mixture. You should let it rest for about 10 seconds and add the rest of the ingredients. The clay will turn a bit lumpy so you will need to mix it more to make it blend well with the rest. This is an amount that’s enough for 2 masks.
How to use it:
When you are ready to put it on, apply the mask freely to your face. Let it dry – which will take about 10 minutes – and wash it with a gentle soap and warm water.
Why these ingredients?
So, you must wonder why are these ingredients important and why would you use them precisely. Well, for one, they are all healthy and feed your skin. But they also have many individual benefits.
Bentonite clay – This is made from an aged volcanic ash sediment which traps and removes toxins. It’s a great addition to this mask because it helps charcoal with the removal of impurities.
Raw honey – This is an element of the recipe because it has antibacterial properties, it soothes the skin and makes it softer because bentonite clay as well as charcoal tend to make it a bit dry.
Essential oils – They play a wide variety of roles and in particular their ability to make the skin cleaner. Lavender and tea tree oil are also good for acne-prone skin.
Some more Charcoal Mask tips:
Charcoal can stain fabrics and your sink too. You should avoid getting it on your clothes and clean the sink right away.
This mask is a bit harder to take off, using soap will make it easier to remove.
Charcoal can be drying for some skin types. You can apply a thin layer of oil after if you notice this.
What are the best charcoal masks?
Activated charcoal has been a big deal in the past few years. It sticks to the dirt on your skin like a magnet and pulls it out. However, for best results, most people recommend it staying on for a couple of minutes before you rinse it. It can be a weekly mask.
Here are some of the formulas that work well:
Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub – If you need a bit of pollution clearing, this mask is your perfect solution. It has a mix of kaolin clay and natural silica beads which can clean all of the gunk in your skin.
Photo Credit: Macy's
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask – This mask is a natural antibacterial that can clean your pores and hydrate your skin. It will also not be so drying as some other masks.
Photo Credit: Dillard's
Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask – This mask has some great muds in it and it is filled with fatty acids and hydrating seaweed and charcoal. You can keep your skin free of oil and hydrated.
Photo Credit: EDC Skincare
Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment – This one looks like zebra stripes and it creates a great texture that can remove excess oils and dirt. However, stay away from it if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Photo Credit: Shape
Goodal Black Charcoal Mask Sparkling Clear – This mask is great for the lower half of your face and acne. It’s a sheet mask which uses glycerin-spiked combination and keeps your skin from drying out.
Photo Credit: HallYu Cosmetics
As you can see, active charcoal and products made from it can make your skin look and feel better. It can pick up dirt, pollution and any excess oil and dead skin cells and make your skin lighter, softer and give it that healthy glow that everyone is looking for. While it may not be the best choice for everyone, you can discuss it with your dermatologist and see if it would work for you. Make sure you test it before you use it. Enjoy the many benefits that this mask brings.
References
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/g4728/charcoal-face-masks/
https://wellnessmama.com/139528/diy-charcoal-face-mask/