What is "Charcoal Powder" and what is its use?

First used in 1811 for medical purposes to counteract the effects of a lethal dose of arsenic trioxide, charcoal is derived from the combustion of carbon-rich materials such as wood, coconut or bamboo. It is referred to as "activated charcoal" when the combustion is carried out under intense heat. A very high temperature (between 600 and 900°C) leads to the expulsion of carbon atoms, which gives way to pores. This porous structure is similar to a sponge and explains the high absorption capacity of activated charcoal. Furthermore, charcoal is loaded with positive ions that act like a magnet to attract sebum and impurities on the skin's surface.

At Typology, the activated charcoal found in the purifying mask as well as the cleansing care is derived from the combustion of pine wood. It helps to mattify the complexion and deeply cleanse the skin.

Activated charcoal is a plant-based ingredient increasingly found in skincare products. Present in numerous masks and soaps, it provides several benefits to the epidermis.

• Activated charcoal to absorb excess sebum.

  An accumulation of sebum can block the pores, leading to the formation of blemishes such as blackheads and/or comedones. By absorbing excess sebum, activated charcoal prevents the appearance of spots and mattifies oily skin. It provides the epidermis with a burst of radiance and evens out the complexion.

• Activated charcoal to eliminate impurities.

  Activated charcoal is capable of absorbing toxins and impurities present on the skin's surface. Therefore, it is particularly beneficial to use a product containing activated charcoal if you live in a polluted environment, to purify and detoxify the skin.

• Activated charcoal for gently exfoliating the skin.

  Activated charcoal has a granular yet gentle texture that allows for a light mechanical exfoliation of the skin. It removes dead cells from the surface of the epidermis, thereby stimulating cellular renewal.

Hair readily absorbs toxins from pollution, tobacco, and so on. When used in shampoo formulation, charcoal cleanses and purifies both the scalp and hair fibres. It rids the hair of absorbed toxins and dandruff. Just as it does on oily skin, charcoal works in the same way to limit sebum production at the scalp level.

In cosmetic application, activated charcoal poses no dangers. It is rather suited to combination to oily skin types as well as to blemish-prone skin due to its ability to absorb sebum and purify the epidermis. This cosmetic ingredient is not particularly recommended for dry skin as it could potentially dry them out further.

It is common to find charcoal powder in exfoliating masks, scrubs, cleansing soaps, shampoos, and scalp exfoliants. Furthermore, charcoal also has whitening properties for teeth. It is not uncommon to find it in certain toothpastes.

Typology has developed two treatments containing "Charcoal Powder":

• Thepurifying cleansing care with activated charcoal for the face and body is derived from the cold saponification process, made in France and contains 100% natural origin ingredients.

• Thepurifying maskwith charcoal and organic nettle cleanses the skin without drying it out, regulates sebum production and fights against blemishes. It contains sebum-regulating nettle, mattifying pine charcoal and purifying green clay.

• WANG XIUFANG TIAN YONG. A Novel Material, Bamboo Charcoal, and Its New Application in Cosmetics.

• NOR ASFALIZA A. & al. Synthesis and characterisation of active biochar material for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Key Engineering Materials (2020).