Ever since face masks and toothpaste started flooding Instagram, charcoal has become a beauty staple and touted as a must-have skin and hair product for its detoxifying and cleaning properties.
Charcoal may not be the first thing you associate with glowing skin and voluminous hair but it can have many benefits for skin and hair by drawing oils and dirt from clogged pores.
Here are eleven reasons why you should introduce charcoal to your beauty ritual:
- Help prevent breakouts and treat acne
- Tighten pores and brightens a dull complexion
- Balance oily skin
- Deep cleanse your skin
- Clean your brushes
- Remove toxins and grease from your hair
- Add volume to your hair
- Remedy for scalp conditions
- Relieve itching and pain from insect bites
- Make your teeth whiter
- Helps to detoxify
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a fine black powder. The process in which the charcoal is “activated” happens when the charcoal is exposed to high temperatures. The high temperatures reduce the size of the pores, increase its surface area, and change the internal structure. This results in activated charcoal being more porous which is what distinguishes it from other types of charcoal.
Activated charcoal originally started as a detox ingredient in the diet. Loved for its detoxing and absorbing properties, the use of charcoal can be dated back as far as the 1500s. The Egyptians used it to treat intestinal ailments and absorb unpleasant smells.
When ingested, it works to remove toxins from the body before they can be digested. You might have also seen it be used to filter water. Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and chemicals in the gut. The charcoal’s porous texture and negative electrical charge work to stop toxins and prevent your body from absorbing them.
Charcoal is thought to work in a similar way when applied topically. As toxins stick to activated charcoal, it makes for a deep cleanser and detoxifier. It’s all-natural so you won’t be adding any toxins or chemicals onto your skin and hair when you use it. Using products that are free from harmful chemicals is a great way to remove toxins from your home, making it a cleaner and safer place for both you and your family.
What are the Beauty Benefits of Charcoal?
1) Helps Prevent Breakouts and Treats Acne
If you’re one of the many people plagued with breakouts or acne, charcoal may prevent future eruptions. Depending on the specific type of acne you have, what causes it and how severe it is, activated charcoal could help. By gently exfoliating the skin, charcoal will help to absorb toxins both on and below the skin. There’s also an option to use it as a spot treatment if you don’t want to apply it to your whole face.
2) Tightens Pores and Brightens a Dull Complexion
Due to its pore-tightening abilities, charcoal is an excellent addition to your facial skin care routine. The charcoal helps to tighten pores, making them look much smaller. At the same time, charcoal can purge the skin of toxins and unclog blocked pores, drawing out impurities. Brighten up your complexion and be left with glowing skin.
3) Balances Oily Skin
As well as drawing out toxins and chemicals out from the skin, charcoal is great for absorbing oils and sebum. This helps to reduce your shine throughout the day. Used in either a face mask or cleanser, activated charcoal helps to smooth skin out, reduce oils and balance out your skin. For balancing oily skin, use activated charcoal sparingly, either once or twice a week otherwise you risk drying out your skin.
4) Deep Cleanses Your Skin
There are plenty of cleansers that contain activated charcoal that can give your skin a truly deep cleanse. Some may be more powerful than others so avoid using these every day to protect your healthy skin oils and retain the moisture your skin needs to look its best.
Keep your skin clean and dirt-free without adding additional toxins through your beauty products. Shockingly, the average woman is exposed to 168 different chemicals every day through her personal care products and cleaning products for the home.
5) Cleans Your Brushes
Your brushes will love charcoal just as much as your skin. Cleaning brushes with charcoal can help keep your beauty kit squeaky clean. The charcoal helps to remove every trace of grime and dirt from your brushes which in turn keeps your skin looking better for longer. Clean brushes won’t leave any residual grime or bacteria on the skin, helping to prevent pores from being clogged up with dirt.
6) Removes Toxins and Grease From Your Hair
As well as benefitting your skin, charcoal can also provide similar toxin-purging benefits to your hair. A shampoo containing activated charcoal can gently detox and remove toxins from the hair. It works by attracting dirt and oils during the shampoo stage before being washed away.
Charcoal is gentle therefore it doesn’t disturb your hair’s natural moisture level, keeping your locks hydrated. It helps to polish away dirt and offer a deep cleaning experience meaning healthier, stronger and faster-growing hair.
7) Adds Volume To Your Hair
If you’re carrying around too much dirt and oils, your hair can start to sag and regular shampooing may not be enough to get rid of it. Hair can gain weight from a buildup of scalp oils, pollution, and dry shampoo. Regular shampoos may only remove surface dirt, whereas activated charcoal can help to pull out even more. Charcoal also won’t leave behind any residue on the hair, making it feel lighter with more volume.
8) Remedy for Scalp Conditions
Whether it’s dandruff, itchy scalps or redness, charcoal may be useful in relieving irritating scalp conditions. You have the option to use the charcoal as a scalp treatment before shampooing. It will work on your scalp in a similar way to your skin and hair by pulling out toxins and helping to purify the scalp. It’s not certain how deep into the hair follicle charcoal cleans, but the results will be beneficial.
9) Relieve Itching and Pain from Insect Bites
For minor skin-ailments, itching, and bites, activated charcoal may help to speed up recovery and soothe the skin. Minor skin irritations like stings, cuts, and scrapes may benefit from activated charcoal when applied topically. When applied on the skin, the charcoal starts to absorb the venom and infection while bringing down swelling and easing the pain.
10) Make Your Teeth Whiter
Activated charcoal has become synonymous with teeth whitening. It may sound a little backward that a sooty sink can actually bring about a whiter smile. Toothpaste containing activated charcoal is nothing new but it’s becoming an increasingly popular part of the brushing routine.
The charcoal works by sticking itself to the plaque and dirt on your teeth and removing stains in a similar way that it removes impurities from the skin. This helps to make your teeth look brighter and whiter.
11) Helps To Detoxify
One of the many benefits that’s often associated with charcoal is its ability to cure hangovers. Hangovers usually mean tired and dehydrated skin and puffy eyes. Whether a cure for all hangovers exists or not, it looks like charcoal could make you feel a little less groggy. Charcoal is even being added to drinks to help you kick the morning hangover and brighten your appearance.
Charcoal helps to draw out impurities and toxins whether it’s ingested or applied topically. By attracting harmful chemicals and safely removing them from the body, skin or hair, you can reap the beauty benefits. Whether you’re looking for a weekly deep cleanser for the skin or need to add volume to your hair, it’s time to start adding charcoal to your beauty regime
Pure Haven’s Charcoal Haircare & Skincare Solutions
Pure Haven has three incredible products that are made with charcoal as one of the main ingredients so that you can detox your complexion for glowing skin, detox your scalp for shiny, voluminous hair and clean and whiten your teeth!
The Charcoal detox face mask is made with charcoal, kaolin, and bentonite clay to extract impurities without irritating your skin. This mask will improve your skin texture and remove dead skin so that your skin looks refreshed and glows.
The Detox charcoal shampoo works to remove buildup and residue in your hair without stripping your scalp of it’s healthy oils. The shampoo also contains calming and moisturizing ingredients such as aloe, rose water, and argon oil to make your hair look extra shiny.
The Charcoal toothpaste gives you clean, healthy gums and brightens teeth with a refreshing pop of peppermint.
How to Start Your Non-Toxic Journey!
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Get in touch with us for a no-pressure conversation about Pure Haven products and the options we have to get involved with us! We can help you find the best way to start, and answer your questions.