Can Activated Charcoal Really Improve Your Skin? Experts Weigh In
Health experts weigh in on whether activated charcoal actually works for clearing pores, treating acne, and whitening teeth
If you walk down the skin care aisle at the pharmacy, you’ve probably seen the ominous-looking black charcoal in beauty and even some dental products. (It’s even been used in ice cream.) There’s plenty of media hype surrounding activated charcoal, but some health experts arenโt sold on its alleged beauty and health claims.
Activated charcoal beauty uses
Exposing regular charcoal to high temperatures and a gas such as oxygen makes it develop more pores, turning it into “activated charcoal.” Those pores, plus the carbon in it, attract substances and soak them up like a sponge. Doctors use activated charcoal to remove toxins from people who have an acute overdose, according to a 2015 study in theย British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,ย but it may offer some beauty uses.
The idea is that if activated charcoal can attract toxins in the stomach, it can do the same for your skin. Theoretically, it could act as a magnet to remove the oil and dead skin cells clogging your pores, says Ivy Lee, MD, a dermatologist based in Pasadena, California, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA. โIf it purifies toxins in our [gastrointestinal] GI tracts it will probably purify toxins on our skin as well,โ she says. โThe tough thing is, thereโs not evidence for this. Thereโs no scientific evidence that it purifies the skin.โ Dr. Lee says she wouldnโt rely on charcoal to clear up your acne, but it could be worth a try if a gentle cleanser isnโt working for you.
Activated charcoal for acne
Activated charcoal may be a good middle ground between gentle cleansers and harsh acne treatments. (Make sure you’re not using too many skincare products, though.) Heavy-duty zit medications could leave your skin parched and flaky, but activated charcoal isnโt as likely to dry your skin, says Sejal Shah, MD, FAAD,ย board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
โPrescription-strength retinoids are fairly drying, and charcoal may not be as drying as something like that, or even some over-the-counter retinoids,โ she says. After all, charcoal will strip away some oils, but not as many as a harsh chemical would, says board-certified dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD in Melville, New York.
If you do use charcoal for acne, donโt expect immediate results. Like any product, it might take a couple of weeks, or even months, before your skin gets much better, says Dr. Papantoniou. Plus, even if activated charcoal leaves your face shine-free at first, your skin will continue producing oil throughout the day, adds Dr. Shah, so you wonโt be able to give up your blotting paper for good.
Activated charcoal as an exfoliant
In addition to targeting acne and oil, charcoal cleansers usually have a gritty texture that acts as an exfoliant. For most people, thatโs fine a few times a weekโmaxโbut overdoing it could actually make your skin worse, says Dr. Shah. โIf the skin senses itโs too dry, it will produce more oil,โ she says. (Here are some other reasons you might have oily skin.)
In fact, grainy charcoal may not be your best option, even for that occasional exfoliating, says Dr. Papantoniou. You can exfoliate your skin two ways: With physical scrubbing or chemicals. In general, chemicals will be gentler on your skin, says Dr. Papantoniou. โWhen scrubbing, youโre just getting the superficial top layer off, which can aggravate things,โ she says. You might irritate the area, creating light brown or pink spots where the inflammation is. Exfoliating chemicals like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, on the other hand, actually even out your skin tone while removing the dead cells. (But don’t make these exfoliating mistakes.)
Activated charcoal for teeth whitening
Just like how coarse charcoal can scrub your skin, some products say the black paste could actually whiten teeth naturally by scrubbing away stains. Surface stains on your teeth might be no match for activated charcoalโbut neither is your enamel, saysย Genaro Romo, DDS, an American Dental Association dentist in Chicago. โThe enamel on your teeth is the white part, the glossy kind of porcelain look that makes your teeth whiter,โ he says. โWhen you take something abrasive, you wear away your enamel, and it never comes back. Now your teeth start to look dull, darker, yellower.โ He suggests using a whitening toothpaste with a soft toothbrush to get rid of coffee stains without hurting the enamel.
Use with caution
Even though itโs far from being a miracle product, activated charcoal could be a good option for anyone looking for a more natural skin-care regimen. Just keep in mind that even natural products can irritate your skin, says Dr. Shah, and they wonโt necessarily be as good as the products your dermatologist prescribes. โYes, active charcoal is great because there is a very natural element to it,โ she says, โbut by the same token, if you have very severe acne, youโre not necessarily doing yourself a service by not seeking out potentially more effective treatments.โ
Feel free to try active charcoal for something different, but stick with these beauty secrets for oily skin if you want lasting results.
- British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: โActivated charcoal for acute overdose: a reappraisalโ
- Ivy Lee, MD, dermatologist based in Pasadena, California, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA
- Sejal Shah, MD, FAAD,ย board-certified dermatologist, New York City
- Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD, Melville, New York
- Genaro Romo, DDS, American Dental Association dentist, Chicago
