Activated charcoal has gained popularity as a versatile and natural remedy for skin and teeth care. When applied to the skin, activated charcoal acts like a magnet, drawing out impurities, dirt and toxins from deep within the pores, leaving the skin refreshed and revitalised. Its powerful detoxifying properties make it effective in treating acne, reducing oiliness and improving overall complexion. Additionally, activated charcoal is known for its teeth-whitening abilities, as it absorbs stains and discolouration caused by coffee, tea, and other foods, resulting in a brighter smile. Furthermore, its gentle abrasive nature helps remove plaque and tartar, promoting oral hygiene and preventing cavities. With its numerous benefits, activated charcoal has become a go-to ingredient for those seeking natural and effective solutions for skin and health care.
Skin Care
- Deep Cleansing: Activated charcoal can help draw out impurities, dirt and excess oil from the skin. It has a porous structure that can adsorb dirt and toxins, which may unclog pores and reduce the occurrence of acne.
- Acne Treatment: It helps to remove excess oil and bacteria from the skin, unclogging pores and preventing further inflammation. It is particularly beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.
- Exfoliation: Activated charcoal can be used as an exfoliation agent to slough off dead skin cells, leaving the skin smoother and brighter.
- Oil Balancing: Activated charcoal has the ability to absorb excessive oil from the skin without stripping away its natural moisture. This makes it suitable for both oily and combination skin types, as it helps to balance oil production.
- Minimise Pore Size: By removing impurities and excess oil from the skin, activated charcoal can help minimise the appearance of pores. This can result in a smoother, more refined complexion.
- Soothes Irritation: Activated charcoal possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis.
- Brightening Effect: Activated charcoal can help brighten the skin by removing dead skin cells, revealing a fresher, more radiant complexion. It can also help to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Teeth Care
- Teeth Whitening: Activated charcoal is highly porous and has adsorptive properties, which means it can bind to and remove surface stains on teeth caused by coffee, tea, wine etc.
- Oral Detoxification: Activated charcoal has detoxifying properties that can help remove toxins and bacteria from the mouth. It may help reduce bad breath by absorbing odour-causing compounds and bacteria.
- Mild Abrasive Properties: A gentle abrasive that can help remove plaque and surface stains without being overly harsh on the enamel.
- pH Balance. Can help balance the pH level in the mouth, creating an environment less conducive to the growth of harmful bacteria.
What is Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a porous form of carbon that has been processed to increase its surface area and adsorption capacity. It is commonly used for various purposes due to its numerous benefits including detoxification, water filtration, air purification etc, but here at Dirty Hippie our primary focus is on its application to skin and teeth care.
Activated charcoal is made through a process that involves selecting carbon-rich raw materials, carbonization to produce char, activation through physical or chemical methods to create pores and increase surface area, thorough washing to remove impurities, and finally drying and milling into the desired form. The choice of raw materials, activation method, and subsequent processing steps depend on the desired properties and applications of the activated charcoal.
The activated charcoal we use here at Dirty Hippie has been imported from Sri Lanka, and is made from organic coconut shells, steam activated and formulated to be the purest activated charcoal available. It is non-GMO, gluten free, not tested on animals and is suitable for vegans. It has no free-flow or anti-cake agents, and no colouring or flavours; simply 100% activated carbon. It is an approved ingredient by Australian Certified Organic for manufacturing organic and bio-dynamic certified products.
