The Dirty Truth About Charcoal
Activated Charcoal
5 Questions People Ask
What's the big deal with charcoal ?
Why is it so popular in skin care ?
What does it actually do ?
Should you really put that on your face ?
Is charcoal different from coal ?
History
The use of charcoal as a medicinal product can be traced back to Egypt in 1500 BC, where it was used to neutralise bad odours from wounds.
By 400 BC, the Phoenicians used charcoal to improve the taste of water stored on ships by containing the water in charred barrels, indicating that an understanding of charcoal's ability to adsorb undesirable chemicals was present by this time.
Activated charcoal in its current form was developed during the 18th century, first being used during the sugar refining process to remove coloured impurities from raw sugar.
Medical use of activated charcoal commenced in the early 19th century; an often-cited experiment demonstrating its properties was carried out in 1835, where a dosage of strychnine mixed with activated charcoal resulted in no symptoms of poisoning being observed. I wonder who volunteered for that one !
Activation Process
Activated charcoal is produced by heating carbon-rich materials, such as coconut shells or wood, at high temperatures in the presence of a gas that doesn't react with the material, such as nitrogen. This process creates a highly porous material with a large surface area, allowing it to adsorb (not absorb) various substances. The term "adsorption" refers to the process by which molecules adhere to the surface of the charcoal through weak attractive forces.
An interesting dirty truth about charcoal - a gram of activated charcoal can have a surface area of around 32,000 square feet!
How it works in your body
Activated charcoal doesn’t get absorbed by your gut. So after you swallow it, it reaches your gut unchanged.
The charcoal’s porous texture has a negative electrical charge which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. When liquids or gases pass through this activated charcoal, they bind to it through a process known as adsorption.
These toxins and chemicals get trapped in your gut and eliminated through stool instead of being absorbed into your body.
Activated charcoal is also very effective at adsorbing gases, which can help reduce flatulence. Bonus!
Benefits on the Skin
Cleansing and Detoxification: Activated charcoal is believed to effectively adsorb dirt, oil and other impurities from the skin's surface, providing a deep cleanse and detoxification effect.
Blackhead and Whitehead Reduction: The adsorptive properties of activated charcoal may help draw out debris and pollutants from pores and so reducing the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.
Oil Control: Activated charcoal could help absorb excess oil, leaving the skin looking less shiny and reducing the risk of clogged pores.
Acne Treatment: Some proponents suggest that activated charcoal can help treat acne by removing excess oil and impurities and also bind to bacteria and toxins, which can contribute to breakouts.
Exfoliation: In exfoliating products, activated charcoal particles may provide gentle mechanical exfoliation, helping to slough off dead skin cells and promote smoother skin.
Good to know - extra more dirty truth about charcoal
Charcoal is hydrophobic - it does not absorb water - and therefore using it does not risk dehydration of the skin.
Coal is a natural mineral that forms over the span of millions of years while charcoal is a manufactured product created from wood. Do not use coal on your face !
So there you have it. The dirty truth about charcoal !