{"id":2638,"date":"2016-07-13T12:49:18","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T17:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/?p=2638"},"modified":"2018-10-01T17:05:01","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T22:05:01","slug":"activated-charcoal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/activated-charcoal","title":{"rendered":"What the Heck Is Activated Charcoal\u2026 and Should I Use It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Get ready to meet your next favorite secret beauty ingredient: coal. No, not the kind Santa gives naughty children. We\u2019re talking about activated charcoal, a superfine, highly absorbent black powder. While there are plenty of products made with activated charcoal, you can also buy the pure powder<\/a> to use in a number of ways. Read on to learn more about activated charcoal\u2019s beauty benefits.<\/p>\n

The History of Activated Charcoal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Activated charcoal isn\u2019t new: Before it hit the beauty industry it was used in medicine. Because it\u2019s the purest form of carbon<\/a>, it can pull out toxins<\/a>, treat poison overdoses, and reduce intestinal gas. It\u2019s odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic so it\u2019s easy to swallow (either in capsule form<\/a> or mixed with water). Now it\u2019s used topically to extract oils, bacteria, and other toxins and reveal clearer skin.<\/p>\n

Reduce Oil And Treat Acne<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Either in mask form or as a facial cleanser, activated charcoal draws out excess oil<\/a> and gunk trapped in pores. Use it once or twice a week to avoid drying out your skin. If you suffer from dry skin, the mask may absorb too much of your skin\u2019s natural oils.<\/p>\n

Activated charcoal uses electrical attraction<\/a> to stick to molecules and ions, so when you rinse, bacteria and dirt goes with the charcoal. For this reason, activated charcoal is a great treatment for acne. Try steaming your face before applying a mask with activated charcoal; it helps open pores, allowing the ingredient to better draw out dirt and grime.<\/p>\n

Cleanse Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Like facial cleansers, body soaps with activated charcoal exfoliate and remove impurities from your body. Charcoal sponges<\/a> are another great option: Made of fiber from the konjac plant and infused with activated charcoal, they\u2019re soft enough for daily exfoliation. To use, wet the sponge, then gently massage all over your body. It will provide a deep cleanse without irritating skin.<\/p>\n

Deep Clean Your Scalp<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not washing your hair daily is all the rage and for good reason: Shampooing too much<\/a> can leave strands dull and dry because it strips essential oils. But going several days without a wash can lead to product and oil buildup that your favorite shampoo may not thoroughly get rid of. Try a shampoo made with activated charcoal<\/a>: It\u2019ll deep clean your scalp and reduce dandruff. Don\u2019t freak out over the black color\u2014it won\u2019t stain<\/a> your skin or bathtub.<\/p>\n

Between washes you can also use activated charcoal in place of dry shampoo<\/a> to absorb excess oil. Test it first (especially if you have light hair) to make sure the charcoal blends.<\/p>\n

Whiten Teeth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many teeth whitening products are costly and contain a number of chemicals<\/a>. But activated charcoal mixed with mint and orange extract powder whitens, polishes, and reduces tooth sensitivity<\/a>. You\u2019ll notice whiter results almost immediately since the porous powder attracts and removes the plaque<\/a> that makes teeth look dull. It\u2019s a good idea to pair the powder with a charcoal toothbrush, otherwise it\u2019ll turn your regular toothbrush black.<\/p>\n

If washing your teeth with black powder doesn\u2019t sound appetizing, use a charcoal toothbrush<\/a> with your regular toothpaste. While it may not give you the same whitening effects as the powder, it fights bad breath and prevents bacteria from building up on the brush.<\/p>\n

\"DIY<\/a>
\n<\/a>Keep it in Your Medicine Cabinet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since activated charcoal is great at absorbing poison and toxins, it\u2019s smart to keep some powder handy in case someone in your household gets stung or bit. Create a paste by mixing the powder with water, and apply topically<\/a> to insect bites or cuts to absorb venom and reduce infection. The paste can help the healing process, relieve symptoms, and even reduce swelling.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With its ability to absorb everything from dirt and oil, venom, and other toxins, activated charcoal is a jack-of-all-beauty-and-health trades. Try adding it to your daily or weekly routine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Get ready to meet your next favorite secret beauty ingredient: coal. No, not the kind Santa gives naughty children. We\u2019re talking about activated charcoal, a superfine, highly absorbent black powder. While there are plenty of products made with activated charcoal, you can also buy the pure powder to use in a number of ways. Read […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nWhat the Heck Is Activated Charcoal\u2026 and Should I Use It? - Health Perch<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While there are plenty of products made with activated charcoal, you can also buy the pure powder to use in a number of ways. 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