Activated charcoal for acne has established itself as a proven, affordable and very effective remedy in treating the disease. Its wide popularity is also due to its ease of use at home. In adolescence and adulthood, acne can strike at the most inopportune moment, but often there is simply not enough time and money to buy expensive medicinal cosmetics.
Coal is prepared by burning simple wood materials such as birch, oak, pine and spruce. The result is a very useful natural remedy without the addition of chemicals, which means the list of side effects and contraindications for use is reduced to a minimum. More and more people trust proven folk remedies to get rid of acne, blackheads and blemishes.
An activated carbon mask can not only rid a person of acne in a short period of time, but also eliminate other cosmetic defects on the skin of the face. The product is capable of removing impurities from pores and sebaceous glands at the deepest level, cleansing the skin of toxins and impurities. A natural and absolutely safe product can be bought at any pharmacy at a low price.
Beneficial properties of activated facial skin
Thanks to the natural properties contained in wood, activated carbon transfers them to the mask in which it is present. So, what effect can you expect from using such compositions:
- eliminates oily shine;
- removes blackheads;
- narrows pores;
- has a healing effect on pimples and blackheads, eliminating the resulting inflammation;
- copes with small wrinkles, smoothing them out;
- has a cleansing effect.
Acting comprehensively, a charcoal face mask enhances the beauty of your skin regardless of age, eliminating all unpleasant manifestations.
Indications and contraindications for use
Despite the fact that charcoal is used only externally to maintain the beauty of the skin, it is still a medicine. Which, like any medicine, has its own indications and contraindications for use.
In what situations is an activated carbon face mask recommended:
- when acne or blackheads appear on the skin;
- if the skin has not been cleaned for a long time;
- for oily skin types;
- the appearance of black dots;
- skin requiring moisture;
- presence of wrinkles;
- unnatural complexion.
Under what circumstances is it prohibited or should you limit the use of a composition with coal:
- intolerance to any components included in the drug;
- in the presence of ulcers or pustules on the surface of the skin;
- after operations, the presence of wounds, with open injuries;
- bleeding on the face;
- Do not apply a face mask with activated charcoal to remove blackheads or squeeze out pimples.
Important! It is worth remembering that activated carbon does not act selectively. It can remove not only harmful compounds from the skin, but also beneficial substances and vitamins.
It is for this reason that it is necessary to add other components to the black coal face mask that will vitaminize and replenish the beneficial composition of the skin. Preparing such a remedy will not be difficult.
Tips and tricks
In order for the desired effect to be achieved, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Never use activated charcoal on your face if the product has expired. Firstly, this can lead to negative consequences, and secondly, it is more difficult to prepare a mask from such an expired product, since it is difficult to physically influence.
- Before using the mask, it is better to make sure that the skin does not respond with an allergic reaction. You need to apply the prepared mixture on your wrist and rinse. If after 24 hours there is no negative reaction, you can use the mask for its intended purpose.
- For noticeable results, the procedure must be repeated once a week for 1-2 months. After this, take a break for 2 months. If necessary, continue using the mask.
- For a better effect of the active components, the mask should be applied to steamed skin (you can steam it with plain hot water or chamomile infusion).
Preparing the mask will take little time and is suitable for those who live in a fast pace, but still want to look perfect. One of the important advantages is that the procedure will not break the bank and is accessible to every woman. The main thing is to choose the right and effective recipe for charcoal masks.
Step-by-step description of facial cleansing with charcoal
Each composition has its own rules for use, following them, you can get the highest efficiency. A homemade activated carbon face mask is no exception. We will consider below how to properly carry out the process of cleansing the skin.
The cleansing process consists of the following points:
- Preparatory
, which consists of preparing the skin for applying the mask composition. At this stage, you can use various cosmetics with a cleansing effect.Afterwards we steam the skin of the face. To do this, you need to prepare the following components: hot water, herbal decoction (chamomile, calendula, celandine), paper napkins, a clean terry towel. The finished herbal decoction must be brought to a boil on the stove. Place a cutting board on the kitchen table and a pan with its contents on it.
Cover with a warm large towel over the pan. We sit in this way for 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of skin (oily - 10, normal - 7). Apply a face mask for blackheads with activated carbon to the skin. Stand for 20 minutes. Then the skin is washed and treated with any antiseptic.
- Cleaning
. Before starting the procedure, you need to wash your hands with soap and then treat them with an antimicrobial agent. After all the preparatory procedures, we proceed directly to cleaning, which we begin with cleaner areas of the cover, slowly moving to the heavily contaminated ones. We squeeze out the blackheads, do it carefully so as not to damage the skin or cause pain to ourselves.To prevent infection during this procedure, you can attach antibacterial wipes to your fingers, changing them from time to time.
- The final stage
. We wash our face with any antiseptic.
Classic black mud mask
Due to the fact that therapeutic mud is freely available in pharmacies, face masks based on it can be made all year round, which is very pleasing to girls with problem skin, since such compositions are very effective in combating acne, rashes, and oily skin . They are able to effectively cleanse the skin, making it fresh, toned, soft and healthy.
Therapeutic mud contains all the unique substances that are found in its deposits. Therefore, having bought any mud at the pharmacy, you can do not only face masks, but also any other procedures, receiving benefits from them no less than at expensive popular resorts.
Rules for using mud as a face mask
- Decide on the type of dirt (where it will come from). Dead Sea mud is considered the most effective and popular, as it is more saturated with a variety of beneficial substances than others.
- If you buy powder, it must be diluted with water (there are instructions on the pack). If you buy creamy mud, there is no need to dilute it, it is completely ready for use.
- Before using a mask on problem areas of the skin, you need to check your body’s reaction to its components. To do this, apply a little composition to an area with delicate skin (wrist, elbow, inner thigh). Look at the reaction after 30-40 minutes. If everything is fine, you can use it on your face.
- Mud face masks are also called thermal masks because they generate heat upon contact with the skin. Don't be afraid of this effect - it's normal.
- The duration of the mask is no more than half an hour, but if you feel discomfort or the skin under the mask is too warm, then it is better to stop the procedure and reconsider the components of the mask.
The classic option is to simply apply the mud to your face (if we are talking about powder, then dilute it with warm water until it becomes mushy).
Mud + chamomile + sea buckthorn. All ingredients are taken in a 1:1:1 ratio. Chamomile - crushed flowers and stem. Sea buckthorn - in the form of oil.
Mud + propolis . Mix a large spoonful of creamy mud thoroughly with pre-softened propolis, then apply to problem areas of the skin.
Recipes for face masks with charcoal
- Gelatin face mask for blackheads with charcoal
. Remove charcoal (1 piece) from the package and crush it into a powder in a small container. Add food gelatin (5 g), then pour in milk (10 ml). Stir all the contents and place in the microwave oven for literally 15 seconds, stir everything again and let it cool slightly.
Using a brush to apply masks, we treat the areas of the skin where blackheads are located. We wait for it to dry completely and remove it (the film that has formed). This simple and necessary face mask for blackheads with gelatin and activated carbon will help cleanse your face.
- Mask that prevents and relieves acne
. Let's prepare the following components: • activated carbon - 1.5 pcs; • aloe juice – 5 ml; • fine sea salt - 1/2 tsp; • tea tree ether - 2 drops.
Turn coal into powder and combine it with other ingredients. Stir everything carefully, the end result should be a paste. Apply the charcoal composition to the skin of the face. Leave for 20 minutes and wash off the anti-acne face mask with activated charcoal. Excess moisture needs to be blotted with paper napkins, but not rubbed. Apply the mask once a day until the skin becomes clean.
- Mask with charcoal and cosmetic clay
. Grind one tablet of coal to a powder state, pour it into a small container and combine with 20 grams of cosmetic clay (black, green). Pour in 20 ml of heated milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Then add 5 grams of edible gelatin and mix everything again. Cover and set aside for 15 minutes.
Afterwards, you need to heat the composition in a water bath until the mask of activated carbon and clay becomes liquid. Apply the composition to the skin and wait for it to dry completely. Remove the resulting film and wipe the skin with a moisturizing lotion.
- Mask against the appearance of inflammatory processes on the skin
. This is the simplest method for facial skin care. Taking two charcoal tablets out of the package, turn them into powder, add 2 teaspoons of clean water and stir. It should be a paste. Apply it to the face, leave for a quarter of an hour and rinse with warm water.
If I use a cleansing mask with activated carbon for my face correctly, you will get the following results:
- inflammation will be cured and will no longer bother you;
- It will slightly dry oily skin, thereby eliminating constant oily shine;
- will have tightening and smoothing effects.
And all this can be done without leaving home and without spending a lot of money on visiting a beauty salon, while spending no more than 200 rubles.
Activated charcoal for acne: reviews
Our data is, of course, good, but no theoretical information can replace impressions from real users. In fact, this is the only way to understand how the product actually works and what pitfalls to expect from it. Therefore, we will publish several reviews about activated carbon for acne, which we found the most informative. In them, people talked about their impressions and gave some useful advice.
When these Black Masks were at the peak of popularity, I somehow missed all of this. I wasn't interested, and it didn't bother me at all