These charcoal skin care products can help keep free radicals and impurities at bay.
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PT KONTAK PERKASA - While
there’s an abundance of products on the market that promise to improve
your skin, charcoal face products have a unique advantage because they
claim to naturally draw the impurities from your skin like a sponge. But
the proposed benefits of activated charcoal aren’t new. “Activated
charcoal has been used in hospital emergency rooms for decades to treat
alcohol poisoning and overdoses. The charcoal draws the harmful toxins
from the body so the body doesn't absorb them,” says Michele Green, MD, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “Charcoal works the same way when used as a face mask.”
Although
most charcoal skin care products are used to treat oily or acne-prone
skin, activated charcoal may also be used to help treat cellulite and
body odor. “Because charcoal draws out impurities like dirt and oil,
it’s a natural way to clean and clear your skin,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.
Here are our picks for the best charcoal face masks and skin care.
As
a warning, even the best charcoal skin care products should not be used
with retinols, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide.
BIORÉ Self-Heating One Minute Mask
This charcoal mask
is great for those on the go, and it’s gentle enough to use once or
twice a week. To use, apply the mask to a wet face (it’s activated by
water) and gently massage your face for one minute — the mask will
naturally heat up as you continue to massage. After one minute has
passed, rinse thoroughly. “It’s made with natural charcoal to deep-clean
pores, plus kaolin and menthol,” says Dr. Jaliman. The kaolin helps to exfoliate and absorb excess oil while the menthol reduces redness and increases circulation.
Julep Konjac Cleansing Sponge
This super-gentle exfoliating sponge
is made from all-natural Konjac Root and enriched with charcoal powder
to help detoxify and clarify the skin. You can use it morning or night,
and it’s designed for all skin types.
ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
If you regularly deal with dullness, uneven texture, enlarged pores, and oiliness, you may find some relief with this ultra-purifying mask.
“This mask helps to get rid of environmental toxins and dirt that can
clog pores and make the skin look dull,” says Jaliman. Additionally, the
charcoal helps to absorb excess oil and prevent future breakouts from
forming. Use one to two times per week for the most noticeable results.
Yes to Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap
This bar soap for face and body
is one of the best charcoal skin products that you can buy online right
now. It may help naturally remove and absorbs impurities from the skin,
and it will leave your skin feeling clean and hydrated (unlike most bar
soaps). Bonus: it’s available at most drugstores.
See price on Walmart
Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask
Boscia’s peel-off mask
is a Sephora best-seller for a reason. “It contains both black and
white activated charcoal, so your skin will be super clean,” says Dr.
Green. Boscia is one of the world’s first botanically based skin care
lines, so all of their products contain a healthy dose of botanicals —
and this face mask is no exception. In addition to activated charcoal,
it contains jojoba, honeysuckle flower extract, rosemary leaf oil,
eucalyptus leaf oil, and willowherb. Jojoba in particular may help with
inflammation, suggests a December 2013 review in the Journal of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Brooklyn Botany Activated Charcoal Scrub
You can use Brooklyn Botany’s Activated Charcoal Scrub on
both your face and your body. In addition to activated charcoal, it
uses Dead Sea salt and essential oils to exfoliate, moisturize, and
rejuvenate. It can also be used to eliminate skin itchiness and odor on
your underarms, your feet, and your scalp.
