Activated charcoal benefits for your skin Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about activated charcoal for skinMedically reviewed by Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C — By Louisa Richards on May 26, 2022Activated charcoal is a popular ingredient in skin care products and may help improve the texture and appearance of skin. Its absorbing properties are well studied, but its effectiveness as a skin treatment is inconclusive. Many products claim that activated charcoal can treat blemishes, improve dry or oily skin, or heal acne. However, evidence for these claims is limited, and manufacturers base these effects on activated charcoal’s general detoxifying properties. This article explains what activated charcoal is, how it works, and its uses. Next, we explore its potential benefits for the skin and look at possible adverse effects. Finally, we explain how to use it in skin care. What is activated charcoal Share on PinterestNadine Greeff/StocksyManufacturers produce charcoal by heating pulverized substances such as:woodpeatcoconut shellssawdust The charcoal activates when steam or hot air erode its internal surfaces, thereby increasing its surface area. This makes the product very effective at absorbing substances. For example, one teaspoon of activated charcoal has an absorptive surface area equivalent to a football field. What are its uses Charcoal has been used medicinally since the Egyptians, who documented its use in eliminating the bad smell from infected wounds. According to studies, medical professionals indicate that activated charcoal may treat moderately severe to life threatening intoxication. Activated charcoal can bind to some toxic substances and prevent them from absorbing into the body. Medical professionals may administer it as an internal treatment to counteract poisoning. However, it only works with certain toxins and may have health risks, so experts recommend that a poison control center advises. Retailers also sell activated charcoal products for treating gas and bloating, but there is little evidence to support this. Activated charcoal is also an ingredient in skin and dental care products that people use topically. Learn more about activated charcoal and its uses here. Is activated charcoal beneficial for the skin Retailers sell various skin products, such as facial cleansers and soaps containing activated charcoal. Manufacturers claim these products may benefit the skin in several ways based on the general properties of activated charcoal. However, it is important to note that there is little evidence to support these claims, and large-scale trials that explore the effects of activated charcoal on the skin are lacking. The following lists the possible benefits to the skin that activated charcoal may have. Removing impurities and deep cleansing Activated charcoal may help remove impurities and dirt from the skin, improving its texture and appearance. A 2019 study suggested that an activated charcoal peel-off mask was able to enlarge the pores and enhance the cleansing of the skin by removing dead cells. Additionally, the pores reverted to their usual sizes within an hour of the treatment. Learn more about how to get clear skin here. Soaking up excess oil Oily skin can look shiny due to an overproduction of sebum. Sebum is essential for protecting and hydrating the skin, but too much can clog pores and cause spots to develop. Activated charcoal may help by soaking up the excess oil that some people’s skin produces. Learn more about treatments for oily skin here. Clearing blemishes and acne Activated charcoal products may help to soak up and bind excess oil. This may help clear blackheads and improve the appearance of acne or spots. Learn more about treating acne here. Reducing the appearance of pores Activated charcoal may help unclog pores and remove dead skin cells by binding to bacteria and toxins. This may help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Learn more about reducing pore size here. Brightening skin A 2021 study explored the effects of a 25% activated charcoal product on the skin of the hands. After treatment for 1 month, the researchers found that it could brighten dry skin on the hands and was not irritating. However, according to a 2019 research review, although activated charcoal is generally safe, there is no evidence to demonstrate its exfoliating or aging support. Learn more about ways to brighten skin here. Risk factors Because studies on activated charcoal for skin are lacking, it is challenging to assess adverse effects or cautions when using it. However, the few studies available do not note any side effects when people apply it topically. On the other hand, taking activated charcoal internally can cause side effects such as vomiting or more severe complications such as pulmonary aspiration. Therefore, it is vital that people only take it internally under medical supervision. If someone notices a rash or irritation when using activated charcoal products, they need to discontinue using them. Additionally, it is important that people with sensitive skin or acne consult a dermatologist before using. Learn more about sensitive skin here. How to use activated charcoal in skin care Different products containing activated charcoal are available for people to try. These include:soapscleansing lotions and gelsface masksface scrubsexfoliantsfacial wipesmoisturizerstoners Depending on the product, someone may use activated charcoal daily or weekly until their skin improves. The percentage of activated charcoal and the type of product determine this. Additionally, people may purchase activated charcoal powder to add to a homemade face mask or scrub. Someone can find recipes for this online, which may include other ingredients such as:coconut oilaloe verarosewater Summary Activated charcoal has absorbent properties that make it useful for medical professionals to use in the emergency room for poisoning. However, there is little evidence to support its use as a skin care ingredient, and manufacturers base claims on its general detoxification properties. If a person wants to try an activated charcoal product on their skin, it is usually safe to do so, but they need to discontinue using it if the product irritates. In addition, it is important not to take activated charcoal internally unless they receive guidance from a doctor. Last medically reviewed on May 26, 2022Dermatology 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Atamanto, D., et al. (2021). Application of activated charcoal from coconut shell waste for the manufacture of skin lightening creams and the mechanism of the process.https://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/5.0044371Kulkarni, S. V., et al. (2019). Formulation and evaluation of activated charcoal peel off mask.http://ijccts.org/fulltext/17-1558929589.pdfSanchez, N., et al. (2020). Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X19301361?via%3DihubSchwarcz, J. (2017). Charcoal is one of the most important substances ever discovered.https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/environment-health/charcoal-one-most-important-substances-ever-discoveredSoto, P. (n.d.). Activated charcoal: An effective treatment for poisonings.https://www.poison.org/articles/activated-charcoalZellner, T., et al. (2019). The use of activated charcoal to treat intoxications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6620762/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C — By Louisa Richards on May 26, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the benefits of activated charcoal? Many people use activated charcoal for its claimed health benefits. But what does the science say about the benefits of activated charcoal? We find…READ MORECan activated charcoal detox the body?Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Activated charcoal can reduce the toxic effects of some substances, but it only works in very specific circumstances. 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