March 28, 2024

Why You Need to Add Charcoal to Your Beauty Routine

If you’ve walked down a beauty aisle lately or spent time browsing the virtual shelves of Sephora, it’s clear that charcoal isn’t just for grilling anymore. This unexpected ingredient is infiltrating skin care, hair care, and even toothpaste thanks to its detoxifying properties.

And while the black hue may seem a little off-putting at first (especially when the end goal is a whiter smile), its benefits are worth stepping out of your beauty comfort zone for. The reasoning: “Charcoal draws out oil and debris from the skin and also exfoliates, so think of it like a deep, detoxifying cleanse,” explains NYC cosmetic dermatologist, Sejal Shah, MD, founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology. “It works by a process called adsorption, an electrical attraction that causes substances to stick together, so it basically acts like a magnet for dirt, oil and other impurities. ”

In terms of skin care, this magnetic effect reduces oil, clears acne, and minimizes the look of pores, which is why it should come as no surprise that charcoal is getting infused into face masks, micellar waters, scrubs and more. While everyone can reap the benefits of charcoal, it can be dehydrating if it’s overused – especially if your complexion is on the dry side. “It tends to be better for people with combination or oily skin,” advises Dr. Shah.

A simple way to ease charcoal into your routine is by applying a mask once or twice a week. However, try to steer clear of any DIY treatments, since it can potentially be irritating to skin. “Generally, activated charcoal beauty products should be researched for safety and efficacy,” explains Connie Gregson,Director R&Dat Hello Products. “Some products can be too harsh and abrasive. ”

This detoxifier also leads to good hair days. “It works on the scalp the same way it does on the rest of skin by pulling out oils and debris and purifying,” says Dr. Shah. “Shampoos containing charcoal do a better job of removing excess oils and dirt compared to regular shampoo – plus, thehair will not be as weighed down and will appear to have more volume. ” Dry shampoo is also a good option to soak up second-day grease. While most hair products shouldn’t leave behind any residue, there’s always a chance: “For lighter colored hair, depending on the concentration of charcoal, it may end up staining, so use with caution,” says Gregson.

Another one of activated charcoal’s perks? It can be used to brighten up your pearly whites. “Atthe correct use level, it can be a very effective teeth-whitener without being too abrasive,” explains Gregson. She recommends brushing with a clinically-tested toothpaste, like Hello ActivatedCharcoal Fluoride Free Whitening Toothpaste, that helps effectively remove extrinsic stains withoutdamaging enamel and gums. “Activated charcoal can also be used to remove odors for fresh breath,” she adds.

Want to try charcoal for yourself? Check out some of our personal favorites below.

Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Micellar Cleansing Water ($9; ulta. com)

Activate the charcoal by shaking up this no-rinse formula. Sweep it over skin with a cotton pad to cleanse and remove makeup.

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask ($8; ulta. com)

Massage this warming mask onto skin for a minute to open up and purify pores.

Hello Activated Charcoal Fluoride Free Whitening Toothpaste ($6; hello-products. com)

While black toothpaste may seem counterintuitive, your teeth will become whiter after each rinse.

Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo ($26; sephora. com)

It gets rid of product build-up while strengthening damaged strands.

Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge With Bamboo Charcoal ($15; sephora. com)

This facial sponge gently exfoliates skin and can be used with your go-to cleanser.

Hask Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo ($8; ulta. com)

Spritz away oil and revive flat strands with this citrus-scented dry shampoo.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *