Are Activated Charcoal Masks Good For Your Skin?

If you've spent any time scrolling through your social media feeds lately, you've most likely seen some woman in an activated charcoal facemask. These black facemasks have become quite popular. You'll see most of the beauty bloggers reviewing them. The question is why activated charcoal is so good for your skin?

Tip! In this day and age, there is no excuse for not wearing sunscreen every time you leave the house. Skin cancers have become so prevalent that every man, woman, and child should be protected, even if they're only going out for a little while.

Super Absorbent

Activated charcoal is carbon that has been treated to increase its absorbency. When people had ingested poison or too much alcohol, the most common place it was used before the beauty was in emergency rooms.

What does this have to do with your face?

Tip! Remember to keep your skin moisturized. Oily skin can cause acne breakouts.

According to Allure, one of the leading beauty magazines, the theory is that activated charcoal will bind to the dirt and oils on the skin. This should help you get your pores clean, and when you wash off the facemask, you are left with ultra-clean skin.

Tip! Instead of washing your face with either very hot or very cold water, use only lukewarm water, as part of your daily regimen. Both hot and cold water shock the skin, which can leave it especially irritated and dry.

Does activated charcoal only bind with dirt and oil?

When using an activated charcoal mask, you may be wondering if all it will affect are the dirt and oils on your face. Well, according to Livestrong, activated charcoal is effective at drawing out bacteria, chemicals, poisons, micro particles and dirt from the surface of the skin. The best part is that Activated charcoal isn't metabolized or absorbed by the body, so it isn't going to be absorbed through the skin.

The activated charcoal can be mixed at home with bentonite clay and water to make an at home mud mask. Handling Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal usually comes in a powder form. It is MESSY. If you plan on making your own activated charcoal masks or cleaners, close all windows and shut off your vents and fans to avoid making a huge mess.

Tip! One of the best things you can do to slow down your skin's aging process is to avoid or quit smoking. Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that can get to your skin cells.

You should wash it off immediately if you do manage to get activated charcoal on your hands or skin while making your cleanser or facemask. Because of the absorbent nature of this type of charcoal; your skin will become extremely dry if you let the powder sit too long, this is. Washing it off immediately or wearing gloves is the best way to avoid over drying your skin.

What about other cleansing products that contain activated charcoal as an ingredient? Many people believe that activated charcoal is the main reason that these type of beauty products work. There are many other active ingredients in traditional cleansers. These anti-acne ingredients and purifying ingredients aren't suddenly worthless just because activated charcoal is on the scene.

Tip! There are a lot of skin care products on the market today. Before purchasing anything, make sure you know your skin type.

It is great to have an option that is super absorbent, and you can use to make your own masks. That doesn't mean it should be the only tool in your beauty arsenal. If you're having a problem with chronic acne or rosacea, then you may want to skip the activated charcoal and head to a dermatologist.

 Acne and chronic blackheads are caused by bacteria buildup in the pores. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the biggest myths about acne is that cosmetics and dirty skin are the leading causes of acne.

Tip! Choose a shade of foundation that matches your skin tone for the best results. People with fair skin will benefit most from a pink or beige foundation, while olive skin tones need beige, green, or yellow-based foundations.

These things aren't true.

Makeup won't worsen acne, especially if it's oil free. If you are removing it regularly, it will not have the ability to cause the infected pores typically associated with acne.

Acne is not caused by dirty on the skin either. Scrubbing the skin too hard or using too many harsh soaps or chemicals can irritate the skin and make your acne worse. , if you are having acne problems using an activated charcoal mask could actually make the symptoms of your acne worse.

Before reaching for the newest trend in beauty remedies to clear up your complexion, it is best to consult a professional. There are so many factors that go into having a healthy complexion that at home treatments could actually worsen your complexion.

While activated charcoal is a great cleanser, it is not the be all end all of beauty products. If you plan on making your own activated charcoal masks or cleaners, close all windows and shut off your vents and fans to avoid making a huge mess.

If you do manage to get activated charcoal on your hands or skin while making your cleanser or facemask, you should wash it off immediately. Many people believe that activated charcoal is the main reason that these type of beauty products work.

If you're having a problem with chronic acne or rosacea, then you may want to skip the activated charcoal and head to a dermatologist. If you are having acne problems using an activated charcoal mask could actually make the symptoms of your acne worse.