Charcoal has recently gained popularity as something that can be used for more than just barbecues- it has lately become an active ingredient in many skin and hair care products due to the many health benefits it provides.
Historically, charcoal has been used to purify water, clean wounds, and much more. Read on as we look at the use of activated charcoal in bars and soaps and how it may benefit you.
The Benefits of Charcoal
1. It’s good for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin
No matter how many creams or topical medicines you may try, oily skin can be a nightmare. It gets even worse when your skin produces so much oil that you start getting acne breakouts. Charcoal has the power to absorb excess oil from your skin and also removes dead skin cells in the process.
It draws out the impurities from your pores and cleanses your skin to prevent bacteria accumulation, which encourages acne breakouts. Its ability to remove toxins from your skin is also useful for treating acne scars and marks.
2. It Smoothens Out Your Skin
Dust, dirt, and pollution circulating around you tend to settle on your skin, and over time, it widens your pores, which start accumulating more bacteria. In some cases, these pores may become visible and will make your skin look, well, not as smooth as it used to be. Charcoal bars not only remove the dirt but also open up clogged pores and greatly minimize them in size.
As you age, your skin tends to get looser and becomes less firm. Charcoal has properties that allow it to make your skin tighter and smoother and slow down the process of wrinkle formation. It also keeps fine lines from forming quickly and brightens up your skin, keeping it looking fresh all day.
3. It Works on Everyone’s Skin
With most skincare products, you need to test them out first to see if they work for your skin or if they have any harmful reactions. Charcoal bars work for everyone. While it’s good at absorbing excess oil from your skin, it doesn’t over-dry it making it a suitable option even for those who have dry skin. The cooling, soothing properties of charcoal make it effective in reducing inflammation and redness on the skin, which may be due to skin medication, allergies, etc.
4. It’s Effective in Treating Skin Conditions
Charcoal is used to exfoliate skin and has the properties to alleviate dead skin cells and remove dirt and grime. It can be used to treat eczema and psoriasis. Its soothing properties make it a healing remedy for dry, cracked skin. Frequent usage of charcoal on your skin can prevent any such skin diseases from recurring or happening in the first place.
5. It Helps You Get Rid of Dandruff
Charcoal bars are suitable for both your skin and hair (the ultimate 2-in-1 solution). Since the scalp under your hair is also skin, the same healing properties and ability to remove toxins applies here. Charcoal bars can be used effectively to get rid of dandruff. It is also useful for conditions like a dry or flaky scalp where excess oil collects on the scalp and forms solid white clumps (also known as seborrheic dermatitis).
6. It Encourages Healthy Hair Growth
Charcoal unclogs the pores on your scalp and removes toxins that may be blocking your hair follicles. This encourages your hair to grow faster and keeps it healthy, soft, and shiny. Your hair will have plenty of volume and bounce if you frequently use activated charcoal.
Find the Right Charcoal Bar
Charcoal bars are an inexpensive solution to many basic skin and hair problems most of us face. Rubbing the bar forms a decent amount of foam that you can rub all over your skin and through your hair for complete exfoliation.
When looking for charcoal bars, make sure to find one where the main active ingredient is charcoal. One great choice is the HB Naturals Charcoal & Cacao Hair & Body Bar, which not only provides the toxin-removing properties of charcoal but also has the added benefit of cacao, which hydrates and nourishes your skin and encourages proper blood flow.
This organic bar is ideal for vegans and will replenish your skin and hair without any unwanted side effects or other health concerns.
