Did you know that you can use activated charcoal for skin lightening? Find out how to in this post!
First off what is activated charcoal? Nope, it’s not the coal you use in barbecues. It’s different. Activated charcoal is obtained by heating small particles of carbonaceous substances such as saw dust & coconut shells to very high temperatures, which forms charcoal.
This charcoal is then ‘activated’ by subjecting it to steam or very hot air which ends up eroding its internal surface, increasing its absorptive surface area. This absorptive surface area is composed of very many tiny pores that help draw out impurities, heavy metals and poisons.
That’s how activated charcoal is made!
Now let’s look at the purpose of this post:
Activated Charcoal for Skin Lightening – How it Works
One of the numerous Beauty Benefits of Activated Charcoal (click on the link to go to my post) is its skin lightening properties.
Activated charcoal is a gentle exfoliant. It helps lightly scrape off dead cells from the surface of the skin. It also sucks out impurities off of skin. All this reveals new young and glowing skin underneath. So if you’re plagued with acne scars, dark spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation, activated charcoal helps lighten your skin by gently exfoliating it.
It also also anti-inflammatory properties that heal blemishes, hyperpigmentation and discolored skin caused by inflammation. This also aids in skin lightening.
Activated charcoal also lightens underarms! It does this by gently but effectively removing the dark dead skin that’s covering your underarms. If used consistently, you will see results!
How to Use Activated Charcoal for Skin Lightening
1. Using Activated Charcoal Soap – Use up your regular soap and start using natural activated charcoal soap to lighten your skin. You can also use this for your face or purchase this charcoal face wash for gentler facial cleansing.
2. Make an Activated Charcoal Facial Scrub – Another way to use activated charcoal for skin lightening is by making a scrub out of it. If making a facial scrub, combine together the contents of 2 activated charcoal capsules with 2 tsp raw honey and 1 tsp baking soda. Scrub this mixture on your face 1-2 times a week to see skin lightening results.
3. DIY Activated Charcoal Underarm Scrub – Combine the contents of 3 activated charcoal capsules with 1 tbsp of bentonite clay, 1 tbsp brown sugar, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and enough sesame oil to make a slightly coarse paste. You can also add 3 drops of lemon essential oil. Sesame oil has skin lightening properties. Now rub this scrub gently on your underarms to exfoliate and lighten them. Do this every other day in the shower to see results.
Where to Get Activated Charcoal
I like purchasing activated charcoal in capsule form. This form is very easy to work with because it is less messy compared to opening a bottle of activated charcoal powder, which can leave black powder everywhere. Not to mention, some particles can go into your nose and make you sneeze. Activated charcoal capsules are also easily ingestible (charcoal is given to people who’ve swallowed poisonous substances because it helps suck out the poison). It’s also helpful for gas and bloating.
My recommended activated charcoal powder capsules is Nature’s Way Activated Charcoal capsules. I love their Vitamin E capsules too!
I hope I gave you ideas on how to use charcoal for skin lightening! Enjoy!
Actually activated charcoal and barbeque charcoal are largely the same. The only difference is the amount of impurities, but even then, the later can still be used as the former.
Nice to read this.