Activated charcoal has many surprising uses. From teeth whitening to clarifying masks – will you be adding any of these into your beauty routine?
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a natural remedy used to flush toxins and chemicals out of our bodies so they wouldn’t be reabsorbed. Also known as activated carbon, it can be used to treat some types of poisoning or ingestion as well as the symptoms of indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are keen on using this ingredient for medical purposes.
Having said that, activated charcoal has a plethora of other uses. Here are some of them:
For Teeth Whitening
Coffee fan? We all know that dark food and drinks can stain our teeth. Fear not as activated charcoal can come to the rescue! Using a toothbrush or toothpaste with this ingredient can help whiten your teeth the natural way. It’s worth being extra careful though as charcoal can stain clothes and surfaces – so make sure you clean the sink after you brush your teeth with charcoal!
For Face Masks
Deep clean your skin with a face mask that has charcoal as the main ingredient. These kinds of face masks help to deep cleanse and minimize your pores. This in turn makes your skin feel soft, supple and refreshed.
Tip: You only need to use face masks with activated charcoal once a week, too much use may dry out the skin – which also means your products will last for ages!
For Controlling Oily Skin
Do you have oily skin? Skincare ranges with activated charcoal as the main ingredient may be your new go-to products! Look out for charcoal cleansers, face masks, pore strips and face washes to help keep the unwanted shine at bay.
For Adding Volume in Your Hair
If you feel your hair is weighed down and dull, it may be time for an extra purifying hair care product. Shampoos with charcoal are more likely to pull the grease, dirt and impurities from the hair, thus adding more volume to your tresses. If you don’t want to wave goodbye to your regular shampoo just yet, simply crush up a charcoal capsule and mix in with your regular shampoo and give it a go. This works great if you want a money-saving one-off treatment!
For Soothing and Healing Your Skin after Insect Bites or Bruises
If you have a minor cut, bruise or you have been on a mosquito’s menu recently, applying charcoal locally can help to soothe the skin around, lessen the swelling and absorb the toxins from insect bites.
