Charcoal Face Mask Recipe
Charcoal face masks have been known to give benefits to the skin. It is used as a toner and moisturizer by many women in the field of beauty. This is because it is a safe, natural way to keep the skin young, fresh and vibrant. What makes this facial recipe of face masks special is that it can offer skin renewal, repair, and even skin toning. As a result, the skin can appear clearer and more radiant.
What are the benefits of a charcoal mask?
You’ll find activated charcoal in many personal care products, including cleansers, lotions, soaps, oils, and even toothpastes. It’s also become a popular ingredient for facial masks Although there is limited research into the skin benefits of activated charcoal, some skin care experts believe a charcoal mask can help your skin in the following ways:
Removes impurities. Because research has shown that activated charcoal can absorb toxins in your body, some beauty experts believe that a charcoal face mask can help draw impurities and dirt from your skin.
Reduces acne breakouts. An accumulation of sebum (skin oils) and bacteria can clog your pores, resulting in breakouts. If you’re looking for a natural acne remedy, activated charcoal may help by removing bacteria and other impurities from your pores.
Controls oiliness. By removing dead skin cells and absorbing excess oil, activated charcoal may help give your skin a healthy glow without too much shine.
You can buy many types of charcoal masks online or at your local beauty store or drugstore. But some store-bought masks may contain ingredients and preservatives that don’t agree with your skin.
Instead of buying a charcoal mask, you can use some simple ingredients to make your own.
To get started, you’ll need a mixing bowl, measuring spoons, a towel, and the following ingredients:
2 tsp. water bentonite clay here
1 drop essential oil (optional)
Making a charcoal mask can be a bit messy if you’re not careful. Because the charcoal powder can get blown around easily, it’s best to make the mask in an area away from any drafts or open windows.
You may also want to cover surfaces around you with towels to prevent the charcoal from staining anything.
To keep the mess to a minimum, consider buying activated charcoal capsules . You can open one capsule and add its contents to the face mask mixture rather than measuring out a teaspoon of powder.
Follow these steps to make your charcoal mask:
1. Combine water and essential oil (e.g., lemon oil tea tree oil lavender oil ) in a bowl.
2. Add bentonite clay to water-oil mixture. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes.
3. Add activated charcoal powder and raw honey to the bowl. Combine all ingredients to form a paste.
If you’d prefer to use different ingredients, you can try one of these recipe variations:
How to Make a Charcoal Face Mask
You can make a beauty treatment at home that rivals expensive natural beauty brands with only a few simple ingredients:
comes from aged volcanic ash sediment, and is used to attract, trap, and remove toxins from the body. It’s the perfect addition to a cleansing face mask, as once mixed with water it will help to remove any impurities on the skin. On its own, it can be a little drying, which is one reason why I’ve included raw honey in the recipe too.
- Charcoal mask with unflavored gelatin
unflavored gelatin 1 tsp. activated charcoal powder 1/2 tsp. bentonite clay 2 tbsp. boiling water
- Add gelatin, activated charcoal powder, and bentonite clay to a bowl. Pour in freshly boiled water. Combine all ingredients to form a paste.
- For the best results, gently cleanse your face beforehand to remove dirt, oils, and makeup. Applying a mask over skin that hasn’t been freshly cleansed will trap dirt and impurities and prevent the mask from penetrating your skin.
- Once your skin is clean, use your fingertips to spread the mask evenly and smoothly over your face. Gently massage it into your skin. You can also apply the mask using a small paintbrush or another soft-bristled brush. Keep the mask away from your eyes and mouth.
- Allow the mask to dry for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Dry your face and apply your favorite moisturizer.
- Even though activated charcoal is generally safe to use on your skin, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind.
- Don’t overuse the mask. Once or twice a week is enough. Using it more often may dry out your skin.
Charcoal mask with apple cider vinegar
Ingredients
1 tsp. bentonite clay 1 tsp. activated charcoal powder 3 drops tea tree oil
How prepared
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Add a few drops of water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
Want to Make Your Own Charcoal Mask? Check Out These DIY Recipes
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP Valencia Higuera Benefits DIY mask ingredients DIY mask instructions Variations How to apply Safety Takeaway Share on Pinterest We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Activated charcoal is an odorless black powder made from common charcoal that’s been exposed to heat. Heating the charcoal to a high temperature causes little pockets or holes to form, making it highly absorbent.
Research has shown that, due to its absorbent nature, activated charcoal can draw toxins from the body. For this reason, it’s commonly used to absorb toxins in the stomach to treat poisonings and drug overdoses.
Activated charcoal has also become a popular ingredient in beauty and skin care products. There isn’t much research to support the use of activated charcoal for skin health, but anecdotal evidence does seem to point to its effectiveness.
While you can buy charcoal masks, you can also make them at home. In this article we’ll look at the steps involved in making a DIY charcoal mask and several recipe variations you can try.
1. Charcoal Mask for Oily Skin
Clay and activated charcoal are excellent face mask ingredients for absorbing excess oil. Plus, the addition of probiotics apple cider vinegar helps prevent acne. Probiotics contain ingredients that help fuel the growth of the helpful germs that already live on the skin and destroy the harmful bacteria that cause those painful acne bumps [ source clay activated charcoal probiotic capsule raw apple cider vinegar essential oil for acne Combine activated charcoal, clay, and probiotic powder in a small bowl. Add the ACV to make a paste. It’s okay to use more, if needed, to get a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add essential oil and stir. With clean fingers, spread over the face and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and apply moisturizer.
2. Charcoal Blackhead-Busting Mask
Because they draw impurities and bacteria to the surface of the skin, activated charcoal scrubs are perfect for binding to the oily residue and debris that are responsible for blocked pores ( blackheads ). This mask doubles as a face cleanser that you can use 2–3 times a week. If you want to apply it as a face mask after using a different cleanser, you can leave out the castile soap.
unscented liquid castile soap almond jojoba apricot kernel vitamin E oil 2 tablespoons finely ground brown white rice flour baking soda activated charcoal In a small bowl, stir together the castile soap and oil. Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal. The mixture may bubble up a bit. Keep stirring until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
To use, splash your face with a little water, so it is damp. Take 1–2 teaspoons of the scrub and gently apply to the face with fingertips in small, circular motions, being careful to avoid the area around the eyes. To use as a mask, let the scrub sit on the face for 10 minutes to maximize its oil-absorbing benefits. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat face dry.
3. Skin-Tightening Charcoal Face Mask
egg white face mask is the perfect complement for activated charcoal. Egg whites can help (temporarily) firm saggy skin while also tightening pores as charcoal draws out the gunk.
1 egg white activated charcoal capsules
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
Beat the egg white with a fork until fluffy, and then add in the charcoal and lemon juice. Apply the paste to your face or just your t-zone area if your skin is really dry. If the consistency is a bit thick, add a 1/2 teaspoon of water. After 10 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water.
4. Charcoal + Honey Face Mask
honey mask with matcha relieves redness and inflammation, while charcoal helps to draw out the source of the skin irritation.
Honey has been used for decades in the treatment of wounds, skin rashes, and as a moisturizer and hydrating cream [ source ]. Matcha has been increasingly popular in the anti-aging skincare industry because of its antioxidant properties [ source raw honey matcha powder activated charcoal capsules Add the honey to a small bowl, and stir in the matcha and charcoal powders.
With clean fingers, spread over the face and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and apply moisturizer.
5. Acne-Fighting Charcoal Face Mask
Combine charcoal with an aloe mask for a moisturizing treatment that won’t clog pores or send oily skin into overdrive. Aloe skin benefits also include faster healing and reducing inflammation [ source ], so you can also use this mask to soothe itchy, irritated, or dry skin as well.
Aloe vera gel
1 drop of tea tree oil Mix ingredients together in a small bowl, and use your finger to mix them together before applying to the skin. In circular motions, work the charcoal mixture around your face for 1 minute, then let the mask sit for 10–15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
6. Charcoal Deep Cleansing Grains + Mask
Tired of mixing up a new face mask all the time? You’ll love these cleansing grains with gently exfoliating ingredients like clay and oats that can sit on the counter, ready for use anytime you need a deep cleanse and gentle exfoliation. For aging skin, you can also add finely ground almonds oats, ground kaolin clay bentonite clay activated charcoal capsules 7 drops each, lavender tea tree Combine powders, and stir in essential oils. Keep in a closed container.
To use, dispense a small amount (about a teaspoon) of grains into the palm of your hand. Add a few drops of water or rose water to get a wet paste. Gently massage into skin, making small circles with your fingers. Leave the grains on your face for 10–15 minutes for a deep cleansing face mask.
7. Charcoal Yogurt Face Mask
The lactic acid in yogurt masks gently dissolves the layers of dead skin cells on your face, which lets charcoal get to work, drawing out the oil and dirt clogging your pores.
A couple of tablespoons of plain, unflavored Greek yogurt, preferably organic and full fat activated charcoal capsules
1–2 teaspoons of raw honey Blend yogurt, charcoal, and honey (if using) together until you get a creamy paste. Then apply liberally to your face and neck with a brush or your fingers. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Apply moisturizer and enjoy your bright, glowing skin.
8 Charcoal Face Mask Recipes
Charcoal has a unique ability to bind with toxins and impurities [ source ], so it’s most likely that bacteria, dead cells, oil, and toxins are swept away when charcoal enters the game. Activated charcoal may bind to dirt on the skin only when in direct contact with debris.
It naturally works together with popular face mask ingredients like clay, honey, and yogurt to make them even more effective.
Conclusion:
There are many Charcoal face packs on the market today. Some of them use only coarse sea salt, whereas others use fine sea salt. Whichever type of Charcoal mask you choose, you can use a little or a lot depending on how you like the skin texture and condition.
Make sure that you let your mixture cool down before applying it to your face. Avoid using soap or any other products with strong ingredients when you are making your own mask as it may cause the ingredients to stick to the skin.