You may be hearing a lot of buzz lately about activated charcoal
. While this natural ingredient has been around since the beginning of time, it has only recently come to the forefront of beauty in the U.S. You may be seeing all sorts of new beauty products popping up from masks and pore strips to cleansers and toothpaste. However, the great thing about activated charcoal is that it’s quite inexpensive and you can buy it in raw powder
form and create a multitude of homemade beauty and health products yourself. Here are a few DIY ways to add raw activated charcoal to your regimen.
Whiten & Clean Teeth
Activated charcoal powder makes an excellent teeth whitener
and oral cleanser. It can be used to remove stains, freshen breath, and remove buildup on the teeth. Simply mix it with some water until it becomes a paste, apply, and brush. The charcoal helps polish away stains and extract bacteria in the mouth for fresher breath and a whiter smile.
Homemade Mask, Scrub and Cleanser
Activated charcoal can be used as a base to create an array of facial masks
, scrubs and cleansers. Try mixing it with honey and baking soda for an exfoliating scrub that is great for acne and oily skin. Or mix it with oatmeal and avocado for a moisturizing mask for drier skin types. Basically, you can use it as a deep cleansing base for any of your existing DIY skin recipes. However, keep in mind activated charcoal is a deep cleansing ingredient, so it’s best to use it 1-2 times a week maximum if your skin is dry or sensitive.
Deep Cleansing Shampoo
If you have oily hair or dandruff , activated charcoal can be added to any shampoo to deeply clean the hair and scalp, remove excess oil, and detox the skin. It can also be applied alone to the scalp as a deep cleanser.
All Over Body Exfoliater and Detoxifier
The great thing about activated charcoal is that you can use it from head to toe! It makes an excellent body scrub and exfoliator. Mix it with coffee grounds for a skin-sloughing, cellulite-reducing body scrub or use it alone to brighten and tone the skin. Either way, you can add it to any of your favorite body washes or scrubs for extra cleansing and exfoliation.
