If you’re always on the hunt for the best acne-fighting products, I think it’s time I remind you about an age-old purifier that literally always gets the job done. According to Kaveri Karhade, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in the Bay Area, it was historically used to filter toxins and contaminants, so you know it’s effective. Yep, I’m talking about activated charcoal, folks. It’s an oldie but a goody. Karhade adds, “Medically, its original use was to help manage poisoning and overdoses. More recently, it has been added to some skincare products with a goal of helping to cleanse or purify the skin. In particular, it’s often marketed as a skincare ingredient that helps to unclog pores, remove impurities, and exfoliate.”
So yeah, if you have problem skin and could use a good deep clean without getting an actual facial, you may want to give it a try. If you’d like a few more details on this star ingredient and how it works, keep reading.
“Activated charcoal has a very large surface area—similar to how a fluffy popcorn kernel has a large surface area as compared to a kernel of corn,” says Karhade. “This large surface area can theoretically have a large capability to filter contaminants and impurities. However, the evidence on activated charcoal’s ability to unclog pores and remove impurities is sparse. Since it’s likely to be safe, it’s worth a try! I recommend using with caution, however, as sometimes activated charcoal can have a mild drying effect on the skin. A weekly charcoal mask for those with oily, blemish-prone skin may be beneficial.”
Although there isn’t a ton of scientific evidence to say that charcoal is the absolute best acne-clearing ingredient, it can still help clean blocked pores, and there are plenty of charcoal products on the market to choose from. To get you started, I’ve rounded up Karhade’s recommendation as well as a few of my own favorites. Keep scrolling for the all-stars.
Karhade recommends this charcoal mask from Origins because it really helps clean your pores and makes them less visible. It also features white China clay, which absorbs toxins and flushes them from the skin. Karhade recommends using this weekly if you have oily or blemish-prone skin.
For a smoother and fresher complexion, try Eminence’s Charcoal Exfoliating Gel Cleanser. Charcoal draws out oil and dirt, while blue matcha and peppermint provide major youth-enhancing antioxidants. If that isn’t enough to sway you, it’s also packed with kaolin clay, which deep cleans even further without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
This mask from Buttah Skin provides gentle detoxification and deep moisture replenishment with additional ingredients like argan oil and shea butter.
Sometimes, the skin on the rest of your body could use a little detox. That’s where Sunday Riley’s Charcoal Smoothie Jelly Body Scrub comes in. It smooths, refines, and clarifies rough skin with salicylic acid, charcoal, and zinc PCA, which regulates oil production and controls bacteria growth. If you tend to break out on your back or anywhere else on your body, this is definitely the scrub for you.
Reveal a more radiant and vibrant complexion with PCA Skin’s ultimate detox mask. The Japanese white charcoal in this mask contains an array of minerals that absorb oil and impurities in the skin, and magnesium aluminum silicate support skin clearing. Don’t worry, though—it won’t dry you out since it also contains glycerin and bisabolol to hydrate and soothe your complexion.
For ultra-soft and refined skin, test out Juice Beauty’s Bamboo Pore-Refining Mask. This mask is formulated to really help with things like “maskne,” as it contains a combination of bentonite clay, kaolin oil, and bamboo charcoal. The addition of aspen bark helps keep skin clear since it has anti-microbial properties.
The volcanic ash in this charcoal-infused mask provides extra detoxification. Another star ingredient featured in this mask is Irish moor mud, which helps reverse the damage caused by environmental stress and pollution on the skin.
Another great cleansing option featuring charcoal is this exfoliating wash from Boscia. It contains both charcoal and glycolic acid to help clear your pores of excess oil and neutralize breakouts. Additionally, artichoke-leaf extract reduces pore size and boosts skin’s elasticity, and vitamin C brightens your overall tone.
If you’re not exactly into the idea of having a cleanser with charcoal in it, try a toner instead, like this one from GlamGlow. It has a six-acid blend that helps refine pores in addition to glycolic acid and charcoal to deep clean and slough off dead skin.
Personally, I’m a big fan of honey for the skin. It’s so hydrating and is a great antimicrobial agent. This mask from Swisse features makuna honey, kaolin clay, charcoal, and red algae to really balance combination skin, in particular.
For a quick sheet-style mask, go for Nip+Fab’s easy option. With mandelic acid, activated charcoal, and witch hazel, your skin will have a seriously youthful glow in record time.
Infused with minerals, Dead Sea mud, calendula oil, and aloe vera, this mask provides the ultimate cleanse. It aids skin renewal and gently exfoliates to reveal a clearer, glowing complexion.
