Charcoal is all the rave at the moment! Eat it, drink it, brush your teeth with it and use it as a face mask or hair mask! Charcoal is produced by heating pulverized carbonaceous substances such as sawdust, peat, or coconut shells to very high temperatures (600-900°C) followed by “activation” using steam or hot air to erode the internal surfaces of the product and thereby increase its absorptive surface area. It is this ‘absorptive surface’ that pulls and clears the drugs and toxins from the stomach and it does the same thing when it comes into contact with your skin, scalp or hair– it helps to draw out toxins and remove them. Here are the best ways to use activated charcoal to beauty your skin and hair:
SKIN:
CHARCOAL CLEAR SKIN FACE MASK
You need 1 tablespoon activated charcoal, 2 tablespoon bentonite clay and water. Combine the activated charcoal with the bentonite clay with enough water in a small non-reactive bowl to create a paste. Apply this paste to your face, avoiding the delicate eye and mouth area. Let the mask sit for about 5-7 minutes or until dry. Wash off the mask with some warm water and gently pat dry your face. Apply your favourite face oil or cream.
CHARCOAL ALOE VERA ACNE FACE MASK
Mix one (or one-half) capsule of the powder into a teaspoon of aloe vera gel, one teaspoon of water or rosewater, five drops of tea tree oil, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix these ingredients together until you have an even consistency. But be aware that this face mask is going to be black, and while it can stain your clothing and counter tops, it won’t stain your skin. Apply to your skin, let it dry, and then rinse off. Your skin will feel amazing. DIY beauty products using charcoal >>
CHARCOAL CLEANSER
Oily skin? Activated charcoal may be just the ingredient you need to balance things out. Use it with your regular cleanser. Activated charcoal can pull the unwanted excess oils and dirt from your skin, leaving it smooth. You’ll want to do this sparingly once or twice per week at the most so that you don’t over-dry your skin.
CHARCOAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR OILY SKIN FACE MASK
You need activated charcoal and little apple cider vinegar. Add apple cider vinegar to activated charcoal powder just to make a paste. Apply the paste on face and let is dry. Wash off after 15 minutes.
HAIR:
CHARCOAL SHAMPOO
Just empty a capsule or add a teaspoon of activated charcoal to your regular shampoo and use as you normally would. The only thing you may need to switch up would be adding an extra scalp massage to your routine to get the colour fully out.
CHARCOAL HAIR CLEANSE
You need 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 cup warm water and ¼ tsp. of activated charcoal. First mix baking soda and water and then add activated charcoal and mix well. Apply to wet or dry hair, work in and rinse. Condition as usual or use ACV as hair rinse. Style as you normally would.
CHARCOAL HAIR MASK
You need 1 tbsp. organic coconut oil, 1 tbsp. organic raw honey, half pureed avocado and 1 teaspoon avocado. Combine together all the ingredients and add little water so as to achieve smooth spreadable paste. Apply to wet hair in sections, focusing on your ends. Twist hair into a bun and then put in a shower cap for extra protection. Leave in for 30-40 minutes and then wash out with regular shampoo and conditioner.