Benefits of activated charcoal on your skin

Who would have thought that something so dirty in appearance can magically transform your skin.

Activated Charcoal is the new go to purifier for your skin. Men and women have been raving about its benefits including my husband who has been boasting a noticeably brighter skin !

Unclog those pores

The sebum in our skin’s pores can cause it to become clogged and infected. If we don’t wash thoroughly and regularly the situation worsens. Ensuring that we seek natural ways to cleanse will yield more effective results and keeping to a baseline regime ( cleanse / tone and moisturize) will ensure healthier skin!

Activated Charcoal just loves zooming in on your pores and it reaches deep down pulling out all that nasty toxins and impurities. It also removes all dead skin cells which is vital for healthy, glowing, trouble free skin!

The charcoal is a magnet that attracts all that dirt and junk from your pores. Vitamins and nutrients remain intact and no irritating sensitive skin. If you have any skin allergies this natural cleanser works wonders.

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As a cleanser

Activated charcoal is a super natural cleanser than attacks the impurities head on and it can be applied as a cleansing product or you can make your own solution at home. There are some really great natural products available but if you are hands on like me making your own can be quite rewarding. So you will need :

• a cup of organic, liquid coconut oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of activated charcoal powder
• 2 tablespoons of pure baking soda ( gentle exfoliant)
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops rosemary oil

Mix up the charcoal, the coconut oil and baking soda first in small bowl and then add your essential oils. You don’t need to stick to these oils and can try out different combinations like sweet almond and lemon or any other that has healing properties for the skin.

You will notice the mixture is very oily but don’t panic as this is what your skin thrives on. Moisten your face with a warm wet cloth and then apply the face wash and leave on for a few minutes so the magnet can go to work 🙂

Remove cleanser with warm cloth and carry on with your normal toning and moisturizing because that’s your baseline skin care guys 🙂

As a mask

Its not necessary to apply a charcoal mask or any other mask for that matter on a daily basis. The process can be kept for once a week. Pure activated charcoal is very drying on your skin so using less is key and blend correctly. Normally clay is a key ingredient in masks but because charcoal is so powerful I found three amazing NO CLAY masks you can make using ingredients in your home lab.

Charcoal Yogurt face mask:

• 2 tsp charcoal powder
• 2 tbsp full fat or Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp raw pure honey

Combine the yogurt, charcoal, and honey together until you get a creamy paste. Then apply to your face and neck with a brush or your fingers. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Apply moisturizer and enjoy your radiant skin!

Skin Tightening Charcoal face mask:

• • 1 egg white
  • 2 tsp charcoal powder
  • 1/2 tsp lemon or lime juice

Wisk the egg white until fluffy, and then add in the charcoal and lemon juice. Apply the paste to your face or just your forehead, nose and front cheeks if your skin is really dry. You can add some water if needed but not too much like a teaspoon. Rinse off the mask with warm water after 15min. Your skin will appear firmer and less oily leaving your complexion bright and glowing!

Acne fighting charcoal mask

• • • 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
    • 2 tsp charcoal powder
    • 1 to 2 drop tea tree oil

 

Combine all together in a small bowl, and use your finger to mix them together before applying to the skin. Work the charcoal mixture around your face in circular motions for 1 minute, leave on for 15min and then rinse off with warm water.

A great mask for dry and sensitive acne prone skin. The aloe is soothing and moisturizing and tea tree is known for anti bacterial properties!

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Where do I find activated charcoal

Please don’t go to your outdoor grill  scooping up those 🙂

You can visit any health or wellness store or pharmacy in your neck of the woods or jump on-line and navigate your way to natural clean skin. The already powdered version is the best but capsules are good too just you need to break it open and sometimes a bit messy. Two capsules is equivalent to 1/2 tsp of powder. Make sure the product reads activated charcoal as normal charcoal still has some harmful chemicals. Check it out here. 

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A cleaner approach

As part of my mission to find natural ways to love my skin, the discovery of this superior cleanser has left me dizzy with excitement! Not only can it be used as a super extractor of dirt but it can be blended with ‘home lab’ ingredients to treat dry and acne prone skin. Less is more when it comes to this natural goodness and there are so many DIY recipes on-line to suit your skin but remember to use only activated charcoal.

Wonderful to know that only the dirt will be taken away and not the skin’s vitamins and nutrients.  For  dry skin, use the product only on the t-zone area of the face as the charcoal is so efficient at absorbing oil.

The benefits of activated charcoal on our skin has truly left a glowing impression and I’m excited to learn more about the benefits for the rest of overall well-being. I’m certain we will be hearing more about this magical super cleanser in the world of natural skin care.

 

Have you used activated charcoal?  Have I convinced you to give it a try?

 

 

 

 

 

Till next time be real and love your skin naturally!

Janine