Who would have known that the latest skincare trend has something in common with barbecue?
No, we’re not talking about smearing barbecue sauce on our face, although maybe it has skin clearing properties that we haven’t discovered yet. We’re referring to the charcoal.
Yes, activated charcoal is the latest skincare trend.What is it?
Activated charcoal is regular charcoal that has been heated with gas allowing it to expand, resulting in a porous surface that is extremely effective in absorbing toxins. Its natural absorption properties (activated charcoal is able to absorb 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities) makes it a popular ingredient in skincare products.
Benefits
Charcoal is a detoxifying ingredient found in many skincare products because it works so well at purifying and deep-cleaning skin. It draws out oils, dirt and any other impurities to the skin’s surface. This helps unclog your pores and make them look smaller. Regular use of charcoal will help combat acne and give you a flawless complexion. It is also an excellent makeup remover.
Products To Try
We’ve found both high-end and drugstore products that contain charcoal. Check out our top picks below.
High-End
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask $25
Origins Skin Diver Active Charcoal Body Wash $23
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask $34
Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser $28
Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Cleanser $23
Drugstore
Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask, Ulta $3.39
Garnier Clean + Blackhead Eliminating Scrub, Target $5.99
Garnier Clean + Shine Control Cleansing Gel, Target $5.79
Biore Self Heating One Minute Masks, Target $5.09
Coal Face (Cleansing Charcoal Bar), Lush $13.95
Feature Photo via Hide My Age