How To Make A Peel-Off Mask With Activated Charcoal

Charcoal, as often comes to your mind, is the stuff that you need in your barbecue party. But very few know that it is a highly effective detoxifying substance.

Some people like to take it orally for detox; many use it in their water system to filter out wastes and chemicals from water; and amazingly, it can do magic to your face.

Infusing activated charcoal with other products to make face masks is a thing nowadays, and for good reason. After all, activated charcoal has been proven to do wonders for the body.

Activated charcoal powder is available in capsule form, which you may already be familiar with or as an active ingredient in many skincare products.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated Charcoal or activated carbon is produced by heating pulverized carbonaceous substances like sawdust, peat or coconut shells to very high temperatures (600-900 °C) and then activated by steam or hot air to increase its adsorptive capacity for medicinal purposes or as a natural treatment. So it is important to note that activated charcoal is NOT the usual charcoal you used in your barbecue grill.

Activated charcoal is used to trap toxins, chemicals, and ‘poisons’ in the body. It cleans the body by flushing unwanted substances that could harm the body. Because of this, it is only natural to think that this must also be good for your skin if applied topically. And indeed, it is.

Activated charcoal is available in the market in form of soaps, scrubs, foaming cleansers and facial masks as an active ingredient. However it should be understood that some of the products may contain chemicals that you may not like.

Activated charcoal is mainly harmless. But keep in mind, there are some people that react differently to particular substances. So if application causes irritation, redness, or swelling, immediately stop exposing yourself to the substance.

More often than not, it is better to make a DIY product so you would know how they work and what they’re made of. You would also be able to control proportions.

So here are two ways on how to make an Activated Charcoal Face Mask…

• 2 tablespoon non flavoured gelatin
  
• 2 capsule of activated charcoal (preferably made from coconut shells or identified wood species)
  
• old brush to apply
  
• a drop of peppermint extract (optional)
  
• toner
  
• cleanser

1. Mix activated charcoal, gelatin and peppermint extract.
2. Wash face with warm water and cleanser then apply the mixture on your face using the brush.
3. Let it stay for 20-40 minutes for the mask to completely dry. The mask is dry when you can’t move the mask around your face, completely matte and it tightened on your face.
4. After the given time, start peeling along the bottom of the mask going up. Do it slowly so as not to hurt your face and the slower you go the more black and white heads you will pull out.
5. After the mask has been pulled off, use a warm damp cloth to wipe away any leftover pieces of mask and some charcoal.
6. Apply a toner to your face to close the pores.

• 1 tablespoon activated charcoal
  
• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
  water

1. Mix the activated charcoal and bentonite clay.
2. Combine the mixture with enough water to make a paste.
3. Apply the paste on your face and let it stand for 5-7 minutes or until dry. If you feel itchy or uncomfortable, wash it off immediately.
4. Wash off the mask with some warm water and gently pat dry your face. Then apply your face oil or cream of choice.

1. Always patch test an area first of your skin before applying to make sure you will have no adverse reactions to the mask.
2. Avoid applying the mask on the eye and mouth area.
3. If you start to feel itchy, wash it off immediately.
4. Use the mask once a week.
5. Keep the charcoal away from your clothes as it can stain and cause the sink to clog.

Avoid the eye area – this requires specialised products like our collagen eye masks