Have you been paying attention to the latest crazes and internet hype about activated charcoal?
Activated Charcoal Soap Requests
Last year we had several customers ask us for activate charcoal soap. I wrinkled my brow at the idea and set about to do some research. It was a timely move, as more and more of our wholesale accounts began asking us to carry an activated charcoal soap. Their customers were besieging them with requests.
We must do research on new ingredients before incorporating them into our skin care products. This blog is to share those results with you. And share OUR position on the use of activated charcoal in personal care products.
Research on Activated Charcoal Soap
Do an internet search and you will find multiple sites touting the benefits of activated charcoal soap. One site has a June 3, 2015 article listing 10 AMAZING activated charcoal soap benefits for the skin. The problem is these claims are made with zero research references. Without peer reviewed journals, scientific published papers, recorded dermatology trials, there is nothing for the serious consumer to follow up on.
Charcoal is touted for
- firming the skin
- detoxifying
- helping acne & psoriasis
- reducing signs of aging
- removes blemishes
- great for all skin types
In short, the miracle product that everyone has been looking for a hundred years!  The claims don’t stop with soap. Charcoal is recommended for toothpaste, face-masks, to ingesting in capsules to help with bloating and gas and lastly to detoxify the body. It is so mainstream that it can be found in big box stores such as Walmart.
What is Activated Charcoal Soap?
Activated Charcoal is Coconut husks, dead wood and various grades of coal are heated and charred. The pieces are placed in an oven and burned at very high temperatures (1800 F). Carbons atoms separate as aromatic and volatile compounds escape. This leaves a web-like mess of carbon atoms that have been hollowed out. This structure does allow charcoal to absorb poisons and has been used in the medical community for drug overdoses (such as Tylenol). But medical research (PubMed Reports) has shown it also has the undesirable effect of absorbing vitamins and nutrients thus removing them from the body. It does not differentiate between what is good for the body and what is bad.  Therefore just like with essential oils, we do not recommend the ingestion of charcoal, unless under the advice of a physician for a specific diagnosis.
In terms of soap, we have received testimonies from several people who experienced benefit from using a charcoal soap.  We believe part of this benefit arises from the exfoliation that the soap naturally provides. We offer several other soaps which provide the exact same benefit Honey Oatmeal, Calendula, Mechanics and Coffee Mocha. In response to wholesale requests, we have produced preliminary batches and will offer them on a trial basis on-line as well. If you are a charcoal fan, share your thoughts and experience with us. As always, remain an informed consumer, keep your eye out for additional research and ASK thoughtful questions before buying any “new” product.
Comments
With its astringent and absorbent properties using activated charcoal is just what you need for a clean refreshed skin. Charcoal is best known for its ability to absorb toxins and has been used in medicine for over 3,000 years. The absorbent nature of activated charcoal will draw oils away from the skin and leave you feeling deep cleaned and refreshed. Because activated charcoal is such a kick-ass cleaner it’s not something you’d use every day. Using a deep cleaning charcoal treatment is best applied 2-3 times a week.
HI Anne!
Thank you so much for your commentary on charcoal soap. We really DO appreciate it. As chemists, we believe in scientific testing of any ingredient before giving our customers 100% assurance that a product will do what it says it will do. We also consult with dermatologists and a few of them have done studies that have shown limited benefit, this is why we took a cautious tone with our blog. We are not trying to discourage its use (we sell it of course), but we do encourage our customers to do further study when there is little “true” research for them to turn to.