Benefits Of Activated Charcoal Masks And How To Make It At Home

Charcoal face masks that have recently become a trend for beauty treatments. The effect of activated charcoal masks is believed to work well for getting rid of pimples. Is that true?

What is activated charcoal?

Activated or activated charcoal is a substance that is often used to treat poisoning. Activated charcoal is made from a mixture of coal, wood charcoal, and other ingredients.

Charcoal is called active when processed using high temperatures combined with adding other substances. In the medical world, activated charcoal is used as medicine for poisoning because it can absorb impurities and toxins from the body.

This is because activated charcoal has a porous texture with a negative electrical charge. On the face, activated charcoal absorbs dirt, oil, and dust from the face.

Benefits of activated charcoal masks for the face

Active charcoal masks have several benefits for facial skincare. One of them can attract excess oil on the facial skin. For those who have an oily type of facial skin, by doing a treatment using an active charcoal mask once or twice a week can reduce oil on facial skin.

Besides charcoal masks are also believed to be able to overcome acne. However, the use of charcoal masks is only effective in removing mild acne. For example, blackhead, whitehead, and pustules (red pimples containing pus) that are small and not so inflamed. This face mask is not effective for treating large zits or acne due to hormones.

Here some of the following tips, how to make your own activated charcoal mask at home:

Charcoal and clay masks

The ingredients you need:

  • ¼ teaspoon of activated charcoal powder
  • ½ teaspoon of bentonite powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon water

How to make:

Stir all the ingredients then apply the mask mixture to the surface of the facial skin. Wait for about 10 minutes or until the mask dries, wipe the face with a clean, damp cloth.

The mixture of bentonite and charcoal has benefits for the skin. Bentonite is useful for reducing mild inflammation of the skin. While active charcoal is believed to absorb dirt on inflamed skin.

Charcoal and sea salt scrub masks

The ingredients you need:

  • ½ tablespoon of activated charcoal powder
  • ½ teaspoon of rose water
  • ½ tablespoon of sea salt

How to make:

Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed then apply to the surface of the facial skin. After the scrub dries, about 10 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Mixing sea salt and charcoal also has benefits for the skin. Sea salt can help fight bacteria and acne while active charcoal helps cleanse dirt on skin cells. Other additions such as rose water are believed to provide moisturizing and fight inflammation in the skin.

But there are things you need to consider before wearing this activated charcoal mask. Charcoal cannot be absorbed by body skin. So if used properly, it’s most likely safe and harmless.

Even so, you still shouldn’t use charcoal masks too often. It’s a good idea to consult a dermatologist before using any type of mask, including this active charcoal mask.

You are also advised to do an allergy test by applying a small amount of mask to the back of your hand. If the skin turns red and itchy, you should not proceed. However, if you do not see any side effects, you are safe to use the origin according to dose.

Also, note that the charcoal powder mask does not breathe and enter the respiratory tract. This can cause nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, and respiratory complications.