What is the active ingredient in cosmetics? Is it really safe for the skin?

Activated charcoal is certainly no longer strange to most of us. It is the remarkable “black fever” in the past few years, beauty products with activated carbon ingredients have made beauty believers “crazy”. So what is so special about this ingredient? Let’s find out together.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is created from burning carbon-rich fuels such as wood, coal, coconut shells, bamboo at high temperatures from 600 to 900 degrees Celsius in anaerobic conditions.

Activated charcoal has a large surface area of molecule, so it does not penetrate quickly into the skin, but penetrates slowly to absorb excess oil and dust on the skin. This gives coal a greater porosity and less toxicity than other conventional coals .

Regarding the absorption capacity of activated charcoal, Wendy Brooks, global product development manager for beauty company Origins said, “Charcoal is known for its ability to absorb impurities from 100 to 200 times its weight. , becomes a great natural ingredient to help filter and deep clean the skin”.

Activated carbon absorbs substances extremely well

Activated carbon has strong adsorption capacity through voids, cracks and retains the suction filter properties. With the ability to absorb impurities, dirt, strange odors, harmful gases, heavy metals inside, the product is widely used in life, health and beauty.

Activated carbon in our country is activated mainly from 2 main materials: bamboo (popular in the North) and coconut shell (mainly in the South) . These are all natural materials that are environmentally friendly and safe for users, in which coconut shell charcoal is considered the best and best quality.

Currently, there are not too many studies on the use and true mechanism of activated charcoal, but this is still an ingredient that helps to remove dust, clear pores effectively, added by many brands in products. Products. However, to make sure you still use the product with a gradual frequency so that the skin can adapt and no serious irritation occurs.

Bamboo charcoal and coconut shell charcoal are the most popular in Vietnam

Uses of activated charcoal in beauty

Detoxify the skin

The good absorption function allows activated carbon to be used in women’s beauty products. Products such as detox masks, cleansers, soaps, etc. Absorbs all sebum and dirt deep inside the pores, helping the skin to detox, clean and healthy .

Cleanse and tighten pores

Dirt from the environment, chemicals in cosmetics are the main causes of clogging your pores. When the pores are not well-ventilated, the skin will become less sharp, the pores will be larger and easy to cause acne.

With excellent purifying ability, activated charcoal is an effective pore-cleansing ingredient. It has a mechanism that works like a magnet, sucking up oil residues and dirt from the pores to completely remove dirt and toxins from the pores, helping the skin to be more open and clean.

Activated charcoal will absorb the dirt inside the pores

Acne treatment

In addition, the method of cleaning the skin with activated charcoal also helps to prevent acne. The “freeing” of pores from oil residue and dirt helps your skin “breathe” more, thereby combating acne-causing congestion.

Depending on the type of acne, the different severity that activated charcoal can support treatment with different degrees. In soap form, activated charcoal can gently exfoliate the skin’s layers of dead cells to remove excess oil and toxins from the skin, helping to minimize breakouts.

Oily skin care

When using cleansing products and face masks with activated charcoal ingredients, it will help detoxify and absorb excess sebum, leaving skin softer and smoother .

Activated charcoal effectively absorbs oil

However, avoid overusing the ability to absorb too much oil , otherwise it will make the skin dry because it loses the protective oil layer. This effect is effective for those with oily or combination skin. For dry skin girls, you can combine activated charcoal cosmetics with moisturizers to balance skin moisture.

Soothes skin and heals wounds

Mosquito bites, bee stings or insect bites, .. cause damage to the skin and can leave scars. Activated charcoal can help speed wound healing by absorbing venom and toxins at the wound to reduce swelling and pain.

Treatment of scalp problems

Activated charcoal treats scalp problems

Dandruff, red skin, itchy scalp are problems that we often encounter that are mainly caused by dirt and toxins that accumulate for a long time, but they can be reduced when using activated charcoal. .

You can use activated charcoal as a pre-shampoo skin treatment ingredient or it can be mixed with shampoo . Activated charcoal will work on the scalp in the same way as on the skin, which is to remove toxins and clean the scalp.

Tooth whitening

Teeth that are yellow or stained can use activated charcoal to whiten clean. The effect of activated charcoal helps to improve yellow stains and plaque on teeth, not only making teeth whiter but also strong . Besides, activated charcoal also prevents dental diseases such as tooth decay, bad breath, swollen gums…

Doctors often recommend that we use natural teeth whitening ingredients to ensure the safest, most effective and most cost-effective. You can combine activated charcoal with the toothpaste you are using to increase the cleaning effect.

Combine activated charcoal with toothpaste

Is activated charcoal safe for the skin?

Activated carbon is considered safe in most cases because it is produced from natural sources with a closed production process with steam activation technology (no harmful chemicals).

Activated charcoal is not absolutely safe for the skin

However, there are side effects that are thought to be infrequent and rarely serious. In addition , there are no studies confirming the absolute safety of activated charcoal when used on the skin. Therefore, the most important thing is that you should consult your doctor first and use a moderate dose.

Some products contain activated carbon

Catching up with the beauty trend from activated charcoal, cosmetic companies have launched skin care products from activated charcoal. Here are suggestions for products that work well for you.

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying

The Body Shop’s Activated Charcoal Face Wash and Mask

The line of skin-purifying cosmetics from The Body Shop brand includes products: Clay cleanser and skin mask.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash is extracted from activated charcoal at the foothills of the Himalayas combined with kaolin clay and tea tree oil from Kenya. The product cleans, purifies the skin and helps unclog pores, leaving the skin feeling fresh and soft without feeling dry.

Currently, the product is sold on the official website of The Body Shop for about 499,000 VND / 125ml bottle.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask : Purifying, detoxifying the skin, absorbing excess oil on the skin, helping the skin to clean deeply from within with ingredients such as Kaolin, Moroccan Lava Clay, activated charcoal powder.

Currently, the product is sold on the official website of The Body Shop for about 739,000 VND / 75ml jar.

Lush Dark Angels Facial Cleanser

Lush’s Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser

Lush is a famous brand with fresh products extracted from nature. Dark Angels Facial Cleanser is a fairly well-known facial cleanser product of the company.

With a preservative-free clay texture, 100% natural ingredients, suitable for many skin types, especially oily skin and skin with many blackheads .

Ingredients black sugar, activated charcoal and mineral mud rhassoul exfoliate, absorb toxins , remove dirt and pollutants deep in the skin. Extracted with avocado oil and vegetable oil, glycerin pushes away blackheads, astringents, acne and shrinks pores while moisturizing the skin, making the skin soft and fresh.

Currently the product is sold on the market for about 354,000 VND / 100g jar .

Lush Boom Toothy Tabs

Lush Boom Toothy Tabs

With extracts of activated charcoal, Persian lemon oil and pepper oil, Lush’s toothbrush products help whiten teeth, prevent plaque and stains on teeth caused by smoking, coffee, tea… Teeth and molars are always clean .

Currently the product is sold on the market for about 295,000 VND / 50g bottle .

In summary, activated charcoal is a natural ingredient that brings a lot of benefits in beauty, especially for the skin. The above article has provided you with the most concise and easy-to-understand information about activated carbon. Hope you will know how to choose quality products, how to use them properly to get the best results.

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