Charcoal Soap has been making a splash in the world of skincare in recent years, and for good reason. It is a popular ingredient in bath bombs, body wash, toothpaste and deodorant. Charcoal is a natural ingredient that has the ability to absorb toxins, chemicals and unpleasant odors. It helps address skin problems while also naturally detoxing the skin.

Adding activated charcoal to beauty, body and skincare products is a fantastic way to absorb and draw out oils and dirt stuck in your pores. At Edens Garden, we decided to harness this power by including activated charcoal in our cold-processed natural soap bar. Our Charcoal Bar Soap also includes Lavender essential oil which adds a subtle floral aroma and boosts the soap's anti-inflammatory properties.

What is Activated Charcoal soap?

Activated charcoal is charcoal soot that has been treated to become more sponge-like in texture. In order to become "activated," the charcoal goes through a high-temperature steam-activation process. This process opens up the carbon structure, thereby making the charcoal highly porous, which increases its ability to soak up impurities.

Known for its detoxification properties, charcoal has been used as a water purifier since the 17th century in Japan. Today, it is still commonly used to remove toxins, heavy metals and herbicides. Even more interesting, emergency rooms keep activated charcoal on hand to help treat gut issues. It can help prevent the digestive system from absorbing poisons or other toxins into the bloodstream.

Top Charcoal Soap Benefits

Lifts and Removes Impurities

Activated charcoal draws out micro-particles like bacteria, harmful chemicals and dirt to the surface of the skin, which is then washed off and rinsed down the drain. It has a proven ability to absorb thousands of times its own mass in harmful substances. Your skin is left feeling soft and supple rather than tight and dry.

Absorbs Deeper Than Conventional Face Cleansers

Typical cleansers tend to contain surfactants that serve only to remove surface dirt and oil. This is generally done through the use of synthetic detergents that strip the skin of surface oils but can't necessarily reach into the pores. Activated charcoal, on the other hand, can draw out dirt and impurities from deep within the skin. Over time, the build-up of toxins and grime can cause your pores to become larger and more noticeable. By pulling and clearing the pores, charcoal soap can shrink their appearance over time.

Ideal for All Skin Types

Activated charcoal is fantastic for oily skin due to its ability to absorb oil and dirt. While it extracts excessive sebum, it also moisturizes and nourishes dry skin. It gently removes dead skin cells without stripping the skin. Furthermore, charcoal's ability to soothe redness and irritated skin makes it ideal for sensitive skin types.

Rich with anti-inflammatory properties, charcoal soap is a top choice for mature skin. If you're looking to smooth wrinkles or tighten pores, charcoal soap naturally helps restore the skin's elasticity. It is also known to naturally brighten skin tone to give you a healthy glow.

Gentle Exfoliation

In addition to lifting away dirt and grime, charcoal soap also whisks away dead skin. This exfoliating action helps effectively clear skin blemishes and reduces the size of pores. When skin is exfoliated, it allows all the benefits of moisturizers and serums ( find our DIY serum here !) to be effectively absorbed. Exfoliating the entire body leaves your skin fresh and smooth from head to toe.

Reduces Acne

Acne is formed when pore-clogging skin impurities are built within your hair follicles and are blocked by dead skin cells and excessive oil. To prevent overactive oil production, it is essential to pay attention to your cleansing routine, especially if you have acne prone skin.

With the gentle exfoliation from an activated charcoal soap, you can help prevent clogged pores, reduce redness and eliminate excess oil. If you are experiencing acne on your back or other parts of your body, charcoal soap can help remove bacteria to prevent breakouts.

Treatment for Psoriasis & Eczema

Using charcoal soap as part of your skincare routine can also help with detoxifying your skin. A skin condition like eczema or psoriasis can easily worsen without proper cleaning or treatment. It can be difficult to find an effective cleanser that doesn't irritate the skin.

The natural exfoliating properties of charcoal soap help draw out microbes and bacteria that lead to breakouts. Charcoal soap helps soothe inflammation while deeply cleansing. It draws out toxins without drying out the skin.

Contains Lavender & Coconut Oil

On top of the remarkable cleaning action of activated charcoal, our Charcoal Bar Soap also incorporates the highly versatile Lavender essential oil. Not only does Lavender bring calmness and restoration to the mind, but it's packed with soothing properties and antioxidants that support healthy skin.

Additionally, our Charcoal Bar Soap includes Coconut oil which naturally nourishes the skin. According to one study, Coconut oil was shown to help soothe atopic dermatitis and treat rashes. Research suggests it can help protect the skin from UVB rays and improve its appearance. With our Charcoal Bar Soap, you can trust you are getting the best ingredients for naturally gorgeous skin.

Soak up the goodness and lather up! 

SOURCES: 

1. Sanchez, N., Fayne, R., & Burroway, B. (2020). Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face. Clinics in dermatology, 38(2), 262–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.025
2. Villarreal, J., Kahn, C. A., Dunford, J. V., Patel, E., & Clark, R. F. (2015). A retrospective review of the prehospital use of activated charcoal. The American journal of emergency medicine, 33(1), 56–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2014.10.019
3. Wallace T. C. (2019). Health Effects of Coconut Oil-A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 38(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2018.1497562