Benefits of skin care with charcoal

Chances are if you've been paying attention to the latest skincare releases, you've noticed that things have gotten a bit messy. Face masks, cleansers, and even makeup remover wipes contain a unique additive: charcoal. It turns out that if you want your skin to be really clean, you might want to consider getting a little dirty first. To learn more about beauty benefits of charcoal we turned to two of our expert consultants, The Body Shop beauty botanist Jennifer Hirsch. and board certified dermatologist Dr. Dandy Engelman.

When it comes to her personal skincare routine, Hirsch considers charcoal to be her cleansing insurance, thanks to its uncanny ability to detoxify skin's surface. “By removing toxins from the skin, charcoal reduces the amount of impurities it contains and reduces the chance of congestion,” says Hirsch. "This can lead to a clearer and more radiant complexion."

as the largest organ in your body and the biggest protector against environmental factors Like free radicals and pollution, the skin can absorb a lot of unwanted toxins day in and day out, so it can be helpful to include a detoxifier like charcoal in your weekly skincare routine. “Charcoal exudes a negative charge that cannot counter positively charged toxins, drawing them straight from the skin,” explains Hirsch. “The carbon in the charcoal needs to be in physical contact with the skin long enough to remove impurities from the skin. So, the longer the mask stays on the skin (within reason, of course), the more effective it will be.”

As for why charcoal is such a popular skin care ingredient, Dr. Engelman thinks it's all about the benefits. “Activated charcoal contains carbon molecules that act like a magnet, attracting and absorbing dirt and oil,” she says. “When the dirt and oil in your pores come into contact with the charcoal, they stick to it and then are washed away when you rinse.”

Because of how carbon molecules work, not all charcoal-based skincare products provide the same benefits. “By design, cleansers don’t stay on the face for more than a minute, so the activated charcoal in the cleanser will help remove surface impurities,” explains Dr. Engelman. “For deeper cleansing, you will use a mask. Masks stay on the skin longer, so they can penetrate deeper into the pores.”

Our favorite charcoal skincare products

Interested? We thought so. Lucky for us, charcoal is a popular ingredient in many skin care products, especially in the face masks and cleansers category. Here are our favorites from L'Oreal's portfolio of brands.  

Garnier SkinActive Charcoal Blackhead Scrub

This charcoal and salicylic acid gel scrub is ideal for those with oily skin and blackheads. This vanishing wash reduces the appearance of blemishes by unclogging pores, effectively reducing blackheads and helping to prevent new ones from forming. Results? In just one application, you smooth the skin and cleanse the pores. After a week, the pores are narrowed, and the complexion becomes clearer.

Garnier SkinActive Charcoal Blackhead Scrub. MSRP $7.

AcneFree Charcoal Kaolin Clay Detox Mask

There are two ways to use this newly released kaolin clay mask, either as a cleanser or as a purifying facial mask. No matter how you use it, it will definitely unclog your pores. It is infused with charcoal and kaolin clay to draw out impurities and give the face a fresh look.

AcneFree Charcoal Kaolin Clay Detox Mask. MSRP $7.99.

L'Oreal Paris Detox & Brightening Face Mask

This heavy duty facial mask contains three pure clays and charcoal to make your skin look beautiful in just minutes. It boasts a pleasantly creamy texture that will transform your mask into a spa treatment. This mask will help even out skin tone, remove accumulated impurities and give it a glow!

L'Oreal Paris Detox & Brightening Face Mask. MSRP $12.

Garnier SkinActive Clean + Cleansing Oil-Free Cleansing Pads

Think charcoal can only be used in liquid cleansers and face masks? Think again. These oil-free charcoal wipes draw out oil, dirt and makeup making them the perfect cleaning product. It removes oil and mattifies the skin, leaving it without oily sheen. Gently wipe face and eyes, do not rinse.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Purifying Oil-Free Cleanser napkins, $5MSRP 

Garnier SkinActive Super Cleansing Charcoal Face Mask

Formulated with charcoal, algae extract and hyaluronic acid, this sheet mask purifies skin while boosting hydration levels.

Garnier SkinActive Super Cleansing Charcoal Face Mask, $14.94/6MSRP

Need more persuasiveness? That's why charcoal should be part of your daily skincare routine.