Santa’s go-to offering for the baddies on his naughty list just got a whole lot more valuable. Coal, or to be more specific, charcoal, is beauty’s new favourite buzzword. (Does this mean we can misbehave all year round now?) It’s a carbon that’s been treated to increase its absorbency, and works by attaching itself to toxins, sponging ‘em all up. For centuries, Egyptians and Native Americans have used charcoal to detox, and in medical settings, patients suffering from a poisonous snake or spider bite are still treated with it around the world as modern medicine.
So how are we meant to wash our faces with the ancient black powder? Cosmetic and skincare brands have recently began incorporating the highly effective ingredient in everything from sheet masks to tooth polishing powder, and for good reason: active charcoal powder can absorb thousands of times its own mass in dirt and grime. Simply put, it detoxes your skin by drawing out impurities, chemicals, dirt and micro-particles to the surface of the skin where it can be swept away when rinsed.
So, from charcoal bath soak to toothpaste, flip through to see our top picks formulated with the alchemistic, esoteric ingredient.
1/12
charcoal beauty products dermalogica rescue mask
Packed with the ultra high quality Binchotan White Charcoal, which comes from Japanese Ubame Oak, this detoxifying mask brightens, refines pores, calms redness and improves skin’s tone and texture. As the active charcoal effective removes all traces of build-up, sulphur stimulates cell turnover, while ingredients like volcanic ash, sea silt and AHA’s instantly brighten. Addressing every skin concern, added vitamins soothe, and Chilean Wild Mint refines, making this mask an all around skin-saving star.
This beautifully packaged shampoo exhibits the typical Danish minimalist aesthetic, which scores points for adding an element of chic. But it’s what’s inside that counts: the chemical-free formula deep cleanses both the scalp and hair with white charcoal, which works by absorbing all traces of dirt and oil. The result leaves you with healthy, bouncy hair, even if it’s been under a toque (and unwashed) all week.
Made of devil’s tongue jelly and bamboo charcoal, this squishy sponge can be used with or without a cleanser to effectively wash away daily grime. More generous in size than most konjac sponges, scrub skin from the face down to the décolletage to reveal radiant, healthy skin, and then conveniently hang it up to dry until next time with the handy attached string.
Offering its absorbency powers to mattefy, locking makeup in place, one of the pioneers of charcoal-in-beauty boss brand Boscia graces our faces with their brand new White Charcoal Mattefying Makeup Setting Spray. The ultra-fine mist minimizes the look of pores, while Binchotan white charcoal balances the complexion for a hydrated, long-lasting look.
Boscia White Charcoal Mattefying Makeup Setting Spray ($38, sephora.ca)
Hollywood’s favourite mud had a love child with beauty’s favourite ingredient, and the result is the fast-acting and result-delivering SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment. Nixing every beauty boo-boo from breakouts to ingrown hair to uneven tone, this mask can be applied all over, or as a spot treatment for a more targeted remedy.
Yes, you can drink the stuff; don’t let the ominous look of this black potion put you off. Fresh’s cold pressed, 100% raw, organic and vegan small-batch Charcoal Green Lemonade detoxifies, energizes, purifies and alkalizes with active charcoal, spinach, parsley, alkaline water, green apple, lemon and maple syrup, and actually tastes so damn good, it almost got the author kicked out of a Raptor’s game for trying to sneak it in. True story.
For those looking to cut back on face cleansing time, these Garnier purifying towelettes have your name on it. Formulated with charcoal, these face wipes is the answer to drawing out pore-clogging dirt, oil and makeup in your skin and leaving your with a clean and mattified finish.
Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Purifying Remover ($11, available at drugstores across Canada)
9/12
charcoal beauty products lush
This solid cleanser has you mixing up the magic right in your palm; when water is added to a piece you’ve broken off, it turns into a paste. The black sugar, charcoal, rhassoul clay and cold-pressed avocado oil-rich formula is perfect for sensitive skin that still craves a deep clean, and reveals soft, bright skin that is nourished and clear.
Lush Dark Angels Face and Body Cleanser ($13, lush.ca)
10/12
charcoal beauty products joescrub
This Canadian, handmade, vegan and cruelty-free scrub feels as good to use as it is good for you. Available in a gold, waterproof bag (at no extra charge!), this will instantly become your new favourite in-shower product. Detoxifying active charcoal blends beautifully with exfoliating organic cane sugar, ultra-hydrating organic shea butter, antibacterial lavender essential oil and soothing organic chamomile. Scooped out of the bag with an included wooden spoon, the scrub is to be applied in a gentle, circular motion and left on for 5 – 10 minutes. After rinsing, skin is supremely clean and soft.
Looking to detoxify your whole body in a languorous, lazy girl fashion? Run a tub, scoop in ¼ cup of the charcoal, clay, sea salt, Epsom salt, essential oils and ginger-packed Dirt Detox Bath Soak and relax for 40 minutes. Specifically designed to draw out impurities and allow your body to reabsorb minerals, you’ll emerge renewed, refreshed and revitalized, toxin-free.
Dirt Detox Bath Soak, approximately ($25, amazon.ca)
12/12
charcoal beauty products life brand
Nothing like starting your skincare routine on the right foot with a charcoal-featured facial cleanser to help reduce the appearance of pores.
Life Brand Charcoal Cleanser ($7, available at Shoppers Drug Mart)
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Santa’s go-to offering for the baddies on his naughty list just got a whole lot more valuable. Coal, or to be more specific, charcoal, is beauty’s new favourite buzzword. (Does this mean we can misbehave all year round now?) It's a carbon that’s been treated to increase its absorbency, and works by attaching itself to toxins, sponging ‘em all up. For centuries, Egyptians and Native Americans have used charcoal to detox, and in medical settings, patients suffering from a poisonous snake or spider bite are still treated with it around the world as modern medicine.
So how are we meant to wash our faces with the ancient black powder? Cosmetic and skincare brands have recently began incorporating the highly effective ingredient in everything from sheet masks to tooth polishing powder, and for good reason: active charcoal powder can absorb thousands of times its own mass in dirt and grime. Simply put, it detoxes your skin by drawing out impurities, chemicals, dirt and micro-particles to the surface of the skin where it can be swept away when rinsed.
So, from charcoal bath soak to toothpaste, flip through to see our top picks formulated with the alchemistic, esoteric ingredient.
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