Charcoal, or activated charcoal, can be seen in many face masks on the market today. Though not all products are made the same, charcoal has recently received a bad reputation for being unnecessary and damaging to the skin. In truth, charcoal face masks, just like any other skin care product, need to be used in tandem with the correct ingredients and don’t work for every skin type. To put a rest to this conundrum, we will answer the question: are charcoal face masks good for your skin?
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is not like the charcoal you use to grill. Regular charcoal is comprised of bamboo, different types of wood and wood pulp, petroleum, and coal. To “activate” charcoal, it must be exposed to high heat in a chamber with a complete absence of oxygen. When activated, the charcoal becomes extremely porous, giving it a high surface area on a molecular level.
How Does It Work?
The extreme porosity of activated charcoal gives it the ability to trap chemicals. This ability to capture unwanted substances is part of the reason people use charcoal after their cleanser and/or toner. However, you should only use a charcoal facemask once or twice a week, and always apply a moisturizer afterward.
What Are the Benefits?
The major benefit of charcoal face masks is they help draw impurities, , oils, and dirt from the skin. When you clear your skin of impurities, you cleanse your skin and make it more receptive to absorbing other skincare products. These products can then work more effectively. In powder form, charcoal masks are great at getting rid of dead skin, further improving how well your other skincare products work.
Who Should Use Charcoal Face Masks?
In truth, charcoal face masks are not for everyone. While anyone can use charcoal as a skincare face mask, there will always be sensitive skin exceptions that don’t benefit from it. People with oily skin tend to benefit most from charcoal masks, whereas people with dry skin should be aware of how dry their skin could become after applying a charcoal mask. . All skin types need a good moisturizer after a charcoal mask!
To answer the ultimate question: yes, charcoal face masks are good for your skin. Keep in mind that, like any other product, they aren’t guaranteed to work for everyone. You should always patch test a product either on the top of your hand or under your jawbone to ensure you won’t experience any adverse reactions.
