Beauty

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Origins Author: Alexandra Donaldson

Beauty

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier


Charcoal is a heavy hitting beauty trend that helps keep your skin clear and balanced. We spoke to Lizz Starr, executive director of Origins global product development to get details on the popular ingredient.

If you’ve been paying attention to the beauty biz, charcoal is trending. With all the environmental irritants and pollutants that we expose our skin to every day, it’s great to come home and make sure you can get rid of all those skin stressors. Here’s what you need to know about this powerhouse ingredient.

What is charcoal?

This natural ingredient is derived from carbon and has been used for many things other than beauty. Because of its powerful absorption properties it’s been used to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses by absorbing toxins in the stomach before they can be absorbed into the blood stream. It also can be used as a filter in gases and liquids.

In beauty, charcoal is used because it has large internal pores that trap toxins and prevent their absorption in the skin. “When environmental toxins, dirt and debris get under your skin, skin’s waste-filtering system (pores) becomes congested and pores get clogged, leading skin to look cloudy,” says Starr, “Charcoal is able to absorb many times its own weight in toxins and pollution and it can easily be rinsed away.”

Who should use charcoal?

“Charcoal is particularly good for blemish-prone or congested skin,” says Starr. Because we’re all in need of regular skin clearing (we have pollution to thank for that), everyone can benefit from a bit of charcoal in their beauty regimen.

Charcoal beginner? Try a mask.

If you’re new to the ingredient, Starr recommends introducing a charcoal mask to your beauty routine once a week. It’s best to not overdo it with charcoal however. “Charcoal should be primarily used when pores are clogged,” says Starr, “overuse can lead to stripping and drying your skin so we recommend once-a-week use.”

Here are the charcoal masks you should add to your routine, stat!

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Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Origins

Bamboo charcoal and white clay absorbs toxins to reveal a radiant and refreshed complexion.

Read more: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, $21, Sephora.com.
By: Alexandra Donaldson Source: Sephora

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Dr. Jart+

This sheet mask features activated Korean charcoal absorb impurities and spearmint extract for a pore-tightening effect.

Read more: Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask, $44 (5 masks), Sephora.com.
By: Alexandra Donaldson Source: Sephora

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Garnier

This cleanser can also be used as a mark, helping to draw out impurities and balance oily skin.

Read more: Garnier Clean + Pore Purifying Clay Cleanser + Mask, $12.50, well.ca. ml
By: Alexandra Donaldson Source: Well.ca

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Boscia

This hydrogel mask includes bamboo charcoal for a deep clean that targets blackheads and whiteheads.

Read more: Boscia Charcoal Pore-Minimizing Hydrogel Mask, $10, Sephora.com.
By: Alexandra Donaldson Source: Sephora

Ingredient spotlight: Charcoal, the best detoxifier

Clinique

This mattifying mask soaks up excess oil and draws out debris to leave your skin feeling fresh and your pores noticeable refined.

Read more: Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask, $31, thebay.com.
By: Alexandra Donaldson Source: The Bay

 

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