Homemade charcoal face masks are made using activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is made by heating charcoal to a high temperature that causes smalls gaps to be made which in result, makes the charcoal very absorbent.
Research has shown that due to its ability to absorb, activated charcoal can draw out and absorb toxins from the body. For this reason, activated charcoal is very useful in the beauty industry, as it can detoxify your skin and give it a much smoother and glowing appearance.
Clogged pores are one of the major causes of skin problems. So activated charcoal face masks work to draw out the toxins from your body that clogs your pores, giving your skin the chance to breathe.
Benefits of charcoal face masks
- Draws out impurities
Due to it’s absorbent nature, activated charcoal can draw out toxins and impurities from your skin. It is able to penetrate deep into your skin and draw out built-up dirt that may clog your pores. This makes your pores clear and healthy.
- Removes dead skin cells
It also works as a great exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reveal a healthier and glowing skin.
- Oil control
Dirt and dead skin cells aren’t the only things that this charcoal can draw out. It also helps to mattify the skin by absorbing excess oil from the skin.
- Acne control
Since acne is caused by clogged pores and too much oil on the face, activated charcoal is best for acne control because, it removes dead skin cells and dirt from the skin and also draws out excess oil and control oil secretion.

DIY charcoal face masks you can do at home
Turmeric Charcoal Face mask
Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that make it very beneficial for the skin. It also lightens pigmentation and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a brighter appearance.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl
- Add a little water to make it a paste
- Apply the paste on your face
- leave it on for ten minutes
- Wash your face with lukewarm water and pat dry

Peel off charcoal mask
Rosehip oil is very good for the face as it hydrates the skin and boosts the formation of collagen, which is needed for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Thereby making your face look younger and firm. It also lightens dark spots and also reduces scars and fine lines.
Since this is a peel off mask, the gelatin is added to give the mask the stickiness that gives it the peel off effect. I recommend a non-flavored gelatin powder.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon non-flavored gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal
- 2 tablespoon hot water
- 2 drops of rosehip oil
Directions
- Mix the gelatin powder and activated charcoal powder in a bowl
- Add two tablespoons of hot boiling water to make it a paste
- Add 2 drops of rosehip oil or any essential oil of your choice
- Let it cool down a little
- Apply the paste on to your face and leave it on for about 30 minutes
- Peel off the mask and rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry your face.

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Charcoal and aloe vera face mask
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties that make it very good for the face. It soothes sunburns, moisturizes the skin, and fights off signs of aging.
Tea tree oil has anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps it to fight acne. It also relieves skin dryness.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal
- 2 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 2 drops tea tree oil
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl
- Apply the paste on to your face
- Leave it on for about twenty minutes
- Wash your face with warm water
- Pat dry with a towel

Charcoal and bentonite clay face mask
Using bentonite clay for the face is a very good idea because it improves blood circulation and also helps to dexotify and rejuvenate the skin by drawing out dirt and excess oil from the skin.
Apple cider vinegar can help tone and tighten the skin. It can also protect the skin from harmful bacteria and other pollutants that may cause certain skin irritations.
Lavender oil helps to lighten the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and also control acne.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon bentonite clay
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 drops of lavender oil
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions
- Mix the bentonite clay and activated charcoal powder in a bowl
- In another bowl, mix the apple cider vinegar and water
- Now put all the mixtures together well
- Add two drops of lavender oil
- Apply the mixture on your face and leave on for about 10 minutes
- Now wash your face with cool water and pat dry

Charcoal and honey face mask
Honey has a lot of benefits for the skin. Due to its antibacterial properties, it protects the skin from bacteria, so it is therefore very useful for treating eczema and psoriasis. It also lightens and brightens the skin, giving it a natural glow.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
- 2 tablespoon honey
Directions
- Mix honey and charcoal together to form a paste
- Apply the paste on a wet face
- Massage your face for about a minute or two
- Now leave it on for about 15 minutes
- Then wipe your face with a clean damp cloth

Baking soda and charcoal scrub
Baking soda acts as a great exfoliant that removes dead skin cells to reveal healthier skin. It also helps to control acne and pimples on the face.
This might sound unusual but rice is actually very good for the face. It helps to soothe sunburns and also boosts the formation of collagen thereby preventing and controlling fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
- 1 teaspoon rice flour
- 2 drops of lavender oil
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients together to form a paste
- Add two drops of lavender oil
- Apply the paste to your face
- Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes
- Wash your face with warm water and pat dry

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