couple with clear skin after using charcoal for face

Activated Charcoal For Skin

Everything you need to know about activated charcoal for skin and the activated charcoal skin benefits.

Activated Charcoal For Skin

Everybody has different skin, and as a result, everybody’s skin needs different kinds of attention. Some people may need thorough skin care routines, whereas others may not. No matter what, everybody's skin needs to be cleaned. Queue activated charcoal.

Activated charcoal has become increasingly popular within skincare products and routines - but what is it? Activated charcoal isn’t quite the same stuff that's left behind after a fire. It goes through a process by which its structure is changed under very high heat. This structure change means that activated charcoal has an increased surface area and is more porous as a result. These porous properties are what makes activated charcoal for skin so effective, as it draws out dirt and toxins from the skin.

Read on for our guide on activated charcoal for skin, the benefits and DIY recipes to use charcoal for face cleansing routines.

Activated Charcoal Skin Benefits

We’ve created a list of the top four benefits of using activated charcoal for skin. We will also mention the activated charcoal skin benefits for each skin type - so you can identify exactly how activated charcoal can work for you.

1) Removes Impurities From Your Skin
Activated charcoal is highly porous, which means it can draw out impurities from your skin. In simpler terms, it sucks out all the dirt!

This can be beneficial for your skin all over the body, but activated charcoal for face cleansing is the most popular use. This is because your face is often more prone to collecting dirt and an area that people are most conscious about keeping clean. Using charcoal for face cleansing will help to keep your skin clean and healthy (it’s also very satisfying to watch the dirt being drawn from your face!). The NIVEA MagicBar Exfoliating Face Scrub is made from 100% natural origin ingredients, with active charcoal to gently cleanse and exfoliate your skin.

2) Controls How Oily Your Skin Is
Your skin naturally produces oil to prevent it from becoming dry and damaged. Depending on your skin type or hormonal changes, skin can become oily and lead to breakouts. This is normal and everyone experiences it at some point. Using activated charcoal for face routines can help to control how oily your skin is. As well as drawing out dirt and toxins, activated charcoal can also draw out oil from your skin. This means that less oil is built up and your skin can perform better at combating breakouts.

Another benefit is that activated charcoal creates a mattified effect, as opposed to the shiny effect caused by oily skin. As a result, activated charcoal will leave your skin appearing clearer and less shiny. For a perfect matte finish, try NIVEA MEN Deep Matte Finish Moisturiser for an anti-shine, fast-absorbing moisturiser.

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3) Helps To Reduce Acne
Acne is caused by a buildup of oil, dirt and dead skin cells that block your pores. Consequently, your skin struggles to defend itself against spots and breakouts. Activated charcoal helps to remove any impurities in the skin - which keeps your skin healthy and prevents the breakout of acne. Activated charcoal also has antibacterial properties, which can fight against the inflammation and appearance of acne.

Introducing activated charcoal for face cleansing routines can not only prevent acne, but help to reduce the appearance of it. Using the NIVEA MEN Charcoal Scrub can help to reduce impurities and keep your skin feeling fresh. If you continue to struggle with acne, be sure to contact your local doctor for further advice.

4) Radiant skin
Everybody wants healthy, radiant looking skin, and why wouldn't they? Having clear skin can help to improve your confidence and give you a spring in your step. Using activated charcoal for skin care routines can help you to achieve this. By removing impurities and helping to control the oiliness of your skin, activated charcoal creates a healthy environment for your skin to work at its best. Without the need to battle clogged pores, your skin will naturally become clearer and healthier - providing you with a radiant glow.

Activated Charcoal For Skin

How Often Should You Use Activated Charcoal For Skin?

Whilst the number of activated charcoal skin benefits are plenty, it is important not to over use it. Using activated charcoal for skin care routines too often can cause your skin to become dry and damaged. Damaged skin is less effective at combating breakouts and acne, so be careful. We recommend using activated charcoal for skin care twice a week to avoid any adverse effects.

Activated Charcoal For Skin

Activated Charcoal For Different Skin Types

What are the benefits of using activated charcoal for different skin types? Here’s a list of how each skin type can benefit from using activated charcoal:

woman applying charcoal for face routine

Sensitive skin: People with sensitive skin often find that harsher ingredients can irritate their skin. This can be in the form of dry, red or blotchy skin, so people have to be weary about what a product is made from. The beauty of activated charcoal is that it’s gentle on the skin, so it shouldn't irritate people with sensitive skin. Be sure to check with a small patch test first, to make sure. The NIVEA MEN Deep Shower Gel is ideal for thoroughly cleansing sensitive skin, with gentle microfine clay.

Oily skin: Oily skin can be caused by hormonal changes or occur naturally for some people. Activated charcoal helps to remove oil from your skin. This means that it can reduce the appearance of shiny, greasing looking skin. Activated charcoal for face cleansing can reduce the buildup of oil and prevent breakouts and acne.

Combination skin: People who have areas of both dry and oily skin have combination skin. Using activated charcoal for combination skin routines should help to balance out both factors. Whilst it removes excess oil from your skin, be careful not to over use it on drier areas, as it could course further dryness.

Normal skin: People who do not have overly dry or oily skin have normal skin. With normal skin, activated charcoal works just the same, removing impurities and excess oil. Be sure not to use activated charcoal for face cleansing too often as it may cause dryness.

Activated Charcoal For Skin

DIY Activated Charcoal Recipes

Activated charcoal for face masks are very popular and effective in skincare routines. The NIVEA MEN Deep 1 Minute Mask uses activated charcoal to pull out all of the trapped dirt and impurities in your skin. If you’ve got the time and want to make your own activated charcoal face mask, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our DIY face mask recipe: