So, I took advantage of this lockdown to spend some time for myself.I have never been a person to allocate time for self-pampering sessions. Work always gets the best of us, leaving us feeling exhausted and not have the energy to even think of anything else other than lazing on the couch, in front of the TV (a common reason we all hide behind to justify our lack of interest in taking care of our well-being). However, I can assure you, once you start, there is no going back.
Self-pampering is addictive, especially when the ingredients are within reach and the how-to’s are as simple as ABC.
Today, I am going to introduce you guys to one of my favourite homemade, DIY self-care tool – CHARCOAL FACEMASK.
You might be wondering – why endure the hassle of doing your own facemask, when peel-off charcoal facemasks are available just one click away? We are here to tell you why.
The Secret Ingredient of Charcoal Facemask
The dreamy image that would automatically cross your mind when you hear the word charcoal is the black, chalky, briquettes burning brightly in your barbeque grills on Sunday evenings, right?
Well guys, they are NOT the same charcoal used in our skin care products. For charcoal facemasks, activated charcoal is brought into action.
Once upon a time, activated charcoal was considered to be the universal antidote. It has a wide range of known benefits – from decreasing cholesterol to whitening teeth and treating hangovers! They commonly appear in fine, black powder form, and are usually made of carbonaceous natural resources like bamboo, coconut husk or wood.
Now, what makes this magical ingredient non-toxic to human is this – they are treated with oxygen, hence, giving them a more porous structure compared to the pieces you use for your barbeques.
Another interesting fact about activated charcoal is that they are widely used in medical practice, as this substance has the ability to stop toxic from entering our body. For instance, activated charcoal can be fed to a person who has been poisoned, as it can absorb the poison in the stomach before the poison can even enter the bloodstream.
In addition, activated charcoal is an essential tool in water filtration. It attracts chlorine and impurities that are hazardous to health when consumed in excess, besides giving water a better taste!
Alright, now that we know the secret ingredient and the amazing powers it holds, I am going to expose to you the benefits of charcoal facemasks.
Benefits of Charcoal Facemask
- Activated charcoal works great on oily, acne-prone or combination skin, due to its absorbent composition. Hence, this substance can get rid of excess sebum and other impurities.
- Studies show that, activated charcoal shields your skin from damage caused by pollution. When activated charcoal is used together with other absorbent elements like kaolin clay, for instance, it can yank away pollutants like metal particles and airborne chemicals from your skin – what an amazing news for city-zens!
- A 2018 study from the Chemical Research in Toxicology found that activated charcoal has anti-premature aging properties. It can prevent fine lines and wrinkles from appearing on your face, too soon!
Before I show you how to do your own charcoal facemasks, let me tell you why homemade charcoal facemask is a better option, compared to peel-off facemasks.
Peel-off charcoal facemasks is a well-known go-to remedy to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads, but did you know that they can harm your skin?
Yes, they remove all that gunk from your face, but they also cast out fine facial hair and sebaceous filaments, which aid in bringing oil to your skin’s surface. Hence, applying a peel-off charcoal mask frequently can clear off essential oils and lipids that prevent your skin from being dehydrated and keep your skin protected from pollutants, from your skin.
Now, how about the charcoal sheet masks?
Simple to use – Leave it on your face for half an hour, then throw it away but, have you paused and thought of what becomes of the sheet mask, after that? Charcoal sheet masks are one-time-use products; thus, it leaves a negative impact on the environment.
Generally, these sheet masks are manufactured with non-biodegradable synthetic materials like cotton, Tencel, and rayon, which means, these sheet masks cannot decompose, and will contribute to the enlarging landfills.
In addition to that, if you notice, sheet masks are encased individually, in non-recyclable packaging so your sheet mask is not the only waste you are producing when you use one but do not worry, there are alternate ways you can reap the amazing benefits of activated charcoals without using a peel-off facemask or sheet masks.
6 DIY Charcoal Facemask Recipes That Works In Malaysia
Do-It-Yourself – safer for your skin, and the environment! Just prepare these ingredients and let the fun begin.
Before we start, here are a few pointers you may want to follow:
- Keep your windows closed and off the fans as charcoal powder can be easily blown – creating unnecessary mess.
- Cover the surfaces of your table and the surrounding objects to prevent staining.
1. Charcoal Mask – No More Oily Skin!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon clay
– 1 tablespoon activated charcoal
– 1 probiotic capsule
– tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
– 1 drop essential oil for acne - Combine activated charcoal, clay, and probiotic powder in a small bowl.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to make a paste. You can use more if you want, to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Add essential oil and stir.
- Apply to face, let it rest for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and apply moisturizer.
2. Charcoal Mask – Byebye Blackhead!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons unscented liquid castile soap
– 1 tablespoon almond, jojoba, apricot kernel or vitamin E oil
– 2 tablespoons finely ground brown or white rice flour
– 1 tablespoon baking soda
– 2 teaspoons activated charcoal - Stir together the castile soap and oil in a bowl.
- Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal. The mixture may bubble up a bit.
- Keep stirring until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Before applying it to your face, wet your face with water to dampen your skin.
- Apply the scrub with your fingertips, in small, circular motions, while gently massaging your face.
- Let the scrub sit on the face for 10 minutes to maximize its oil-absorbing benefits. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water and gently pat face dry.
3. Charcoal Mask – Skin-Tightening Trick!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 1 egg white
– 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
– 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice - Beat the egg white with a fork until fluffy, and then add in the charcoal and lemon juice.
- Apply the paste to your face or just your t-zone area if your skin is really dry.
- If the consistency is a bit thick, add a 1/2 teaspoon of water.
- After 10 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water.
4. Charcoal + Honey Face Mask – Redness & Inflammation Remedy!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 1–2 tablespoons raw honey
– 1 teaspoon matcha powder
– 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder - Add the honey to a small bowl, and stir in the matcha and charcoal powders.
- With clean fingers, spread the mixture on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water and apply moisturizer.
5. Charcoal Mask – Anti-Acne!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 1 teaspoon activated charcoal
– Aloe vera gel
– 1 drop of tea tree oil - Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl using your fingers.
- Apply the mixture to your face in circular motions, for 1 minute.
- Let the mask sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then, rinse your face thoroughly with warm water.
6. Charcoal Yogurt Face Mask – Hello Glow!
- Prepare the following ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons of plain, unflavored Greek yogurt (preferably organic and full fat)
– 1 teaspoon activated charcoal
– 1–2 teaspoons of raw honey (optional) - Blend yogurt, charcoal, and honey together until you get a creamy paste.
- Then, apply the mask to your face and neck with a brush or your fingers.
- Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water before applying your moisturizer.
Do And Don’t – Right Techniques to apply a charcoal mask
- Wash your face before applying the mask, to remove impurities like dirt, oil and make up. This will allow the mask to properly penetrate your skin to work its magic.
- Spread the charcoal mask with your fingertips evenly and smoothly on your face, and gently massage it unto your skin. You can also use a small paintbrush or a soft-bristled brush to apply the mask on your face.
- Keep the mask away from your eyes and mouth. Let it dry for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water and applying a moisturiser.
- Never overuse the mask – too much of anything is never good. Frequent usage of charcoal mask may dehydrate your skin.
- Lookout for allergic reactions. If you notice any signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, discontinue using the mask and consult a skincare specialist.
- If you have dry or sensitive skin, it is best to not use charcoal facemask since charcoal is only known as an absorbent and does not have hydrating properties.
