June 2020

​What exactly is activated charcoal and why has it taken the cosmetic world by storm? Activated charcoal is wood, peat, coconut shells, or sawdust that has been heated to the point where nothing is left but the charcoal.  The high temperatures change its internal structure, reduce the size of its pores, and increase its surface area.  But why is it used in soap?   Activated charcoal draws out the oil and debris from the skin and helps with exfoliation. It traps toxins and chemicals and prevents their absorption.  The charcoal's porous texture has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins. Another use of activated charcoal is that it acts as a natural way to color soap.  Leaving the soap anywhere between a light grey to a dark black depending on how much you use.