Charcoal has proven to be a multi-tasking ingredient with staying power. Beauty and personal care products launched in the U.S. featuring activated charcoal have increased 15 percent since 2016, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD.) When you think about it, a blackened ingredient that cleans skin and hair, brightens and detoxifies, and even whitens teeth, is oddly counterintuitive. And yet, charcoal does all these things and more, across so many different product forms. Charcoal’s ability to draw out impurities like a magnet, and absorb toxins, is unparalleled. Many products feature activated charcoal, commonly produced from coconut husks, which has been treated with oxygen to increase the pores on its surface area, thereby maximizing its absorbancy and toxin-banishing powers. In Japan, white charcoal, or binchotan, is popular in facial soaps and toothbrushes because it is extremely porous and efficient in absorbing impurities. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that charcoal is visually arresting too, inhabiting countless Instagram pages with its dramatic presence. Clearly, charcoal mania is set to continue. Charcoal has proven to be a multi-tasking ingredient with staying power. Here, some notable charcoal products in both mass and premium, and their associated benefits.

 

Mass Market Masks

Yes To

Yes To’s charcoal-infused products include award winners in the ‘Yes To Tomatoes’ franchise such as Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask (to help clear up acne), Detoxifying Charcoal Facial Wipes (little black wipes with charcoal to deep clean), Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser, and Activated Charcoal Bar Soap. The latest additions include Detoxifying Charcoal Mask Bar + Charcoal Brush, Detoxifying Charcoal SnapMASK STICK (for acne with salicylic acid), and Detoxifying Charcoal 2-in-1 Scrub & Cleanser Stick. Yes To also launched two new hair care products: Yes To Charcoal Detoxifying and Deep Cleaning Charcoal Shampoo and Yes To Charcoal Detoxifying & Ultra-Moisturizing Charcoal Conditioner that rid hair and scalp of dirt, and absorb impurities while conditioning hair.

Bioré

Bioré, which bears the tag line ‘free your pores,’ has a portfolio of charcoal products that includes Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips, Pore Penetrating Charcoal Bar, Charcoal Acne Scrub, and

Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (‘deep cleans 2X better and naturally purifies’).

Freeman

Freeman’s

Feeling Beautiful Polishing Charcoal & Black Sugar, Gel Mask + Scrub is a dual-action product that works as both a mask and an exfoliant, first absorbing oil and impurities, and then exfoliating dull skill cells.

Hask
Charcoal has similar benefits on hair and scalp as it does on skin, and Hask’s Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo, a recent Allure award winner,removes buildup and absorbs unwanted oil while adding moisture.

Prestige Masks

 

Boscia
Boscia, a brand that touts ‘Japanese roots, grown in Southern California’, features countless charcoal products in innovative forms including multiple beauty award winner Charcoal Makeup Melter Cleansing Oil-Balm blended with two types of charcoal: activated bamboo charcoal known as the ‘Black Diamond of Asia’ for its legendary healing and purifying benefits, and Binchotan white charcoal powder which is known in Japan as the most prized form of charcoal. Other charcoal products include a limited edition

Luminizing PinkCharcoalMask, a White Charcoal Mattifying Makeup Setting Spray, and a Revitalizing Black Charcoal Hydration Gel. All of these products deliver pore-refining benefits.

Active Wow

A number-one bestseller on Amazon, Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder Natural Teeth Whitening claims powerful teeth whitening properties minus the harsh, dental-grade whitening peroxides. The product’s activated charcoal, a natural purifier and detoxifier derived from coconuts, whitens teeth while being gentle on gums.

Dr. Jart+

Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask is a black sheet mask infused with Korean charcoal for deep cleaning, as well as spearmint extract and arginine that improve skin elasticity as well as refresh and hydrate the skin.


Sephora Collection

Sephora’s

Deluxe Charcoal Antibacterial Brush Set is a six-piece brush set infused with charcoal powder, which has antimicrobial properties to keep brushes fresher for longer. Other products include a Micellar Cleansing Water & Milk – Charcoal for the face and eyes.