Where does the idea of charcoal soap as a “skin detox champion” come from?

Du Harper explains that “Activated charcoal has been associated with 'detoxification' in general because of its medicinal use to treat certain acute poisoning. techqueer

“In this case, oral ingestion of activated charcoal causes it to adhere to toxic the material in the gastrointestinal system, reducing its absorption into the bloodstream, where it can cause significant damage. Perhaps because of this, charcoal is also found in skincare products, where it is implied that it may also, have a "toxin absorbing" effect. digitalknowledgetoday

Boston-based dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch (@RanellaMD) simplifies the matter by explaining, "The theory is that it is 'sticky' and therefore removes 'impurities' and helps with acne," but notes that research is "virtually non-existent." "

This means that the properties that charcoal can have on the inside do not necessarily translate into external benefits. Like Hirsch, Du-Harbor explains that there is currently no research to support these theories. healthnutritionhints

"Unfortunately, there is no clinical evidence to support the cosmetic claims associated with charcoal, with the exception of a few very small studies involving charcoal dressings and the treatment of wounds or leg ulcers."

George has a slightly different opinion. “Charcoal is a highly absorbent material and certainly has some benefits for the skin,” she says. smartdiethealth

“Activated carbon is well known for its anti-poisonin g uses because of its absorbency, but I think people forget that charcoal is not an intelligent material [...] it can absorb anything. However, in cosmetics, it perfectly absorbs sebum and exfoliates. healthfitnesschampion

I've tried other things and I think charcoal soap is my jam, so what should I look for?

Hirsch explains: “There are several products that combine [charcoal] as an ingredient with active ingredients such as salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid that helps remove sebum and acne, or kaolin. Unfortunately, because the data showing the benefits is so sparse, there isn't much better experience either. "

If you're in the mood for charcoal, consider a recipe with other proven ingredients that you know work well for your skin so you can get something out of your investment.

George also recommends considering the type of coal you buy.

“I would recommend a mask that is left on for a while and then washed off if you are interested in the oil-absorbing and detoxifying properties of charcoal. This will give it time to settle on the skin and act. Masks are generally milder on the skin than cleansers and have other benefits, ”she says.

Risks and side effects of charcoal soap

There are studies that suggest that charcoal can irritate the eyes and can irritate the stomach and skin in large quantities, so keep that in mind.

George also notes, "If you use charcoal lip liner, make sure it doesn't get into your mouth as the charcoal particle can chip off or destroy enamel if the particle size and shape are not optimized for contact with the teeth."

In general, the biggest risk of using charcoal soap on your skin is that it will not do any good.

Should you buy charcoal soap? It's hard to say for sure

While there are charcoal soaps and other charcoal products on the market that may be good for your skin, it is likely because they are often combined with other ingredients that have proven to be beneficial.

There just isn't a lot of research on this ingredient to know exactly how the charcoal soap will help your skin.

George says it very well: “I think the biggest benefit of charcoal is that it creates a sense of well-being. There are other ingredients in the skincare market that have a greater impact on improving skin health. "

After all, for many of us, skincare is about taking care of ourselves, and if you feel like you've done something good for yourself, you've benefited. The most important thing is to arm yourself with the knowledge so that you can make the best decision for yourself.