The word coal may usually be associated with summer BBQs, warming winter fires and being on Santa's 'naughty list', but it also works absolute wonders as part of your daily beauty routine. Yep, really.
You see, activated charcoal is a clever little ingredient. It's essentially carbon that has been specially treated to increase its absorbency so when used in cleansers, toothpastes, face masks and the like, they become like magnets for impurities and dirt, absorbing oils, toxins and pollutants. What's more, an increasing number of people are now turning to activated charcoal as a method for clearing their skin
Here are six charcoal-infused beauty products to have on your radar...
The toothpasteBelieve it or not, the secret to super white and gleaming peckers lies within this tube of toothpaste. Activated charcoal works its magic to remove any stains and boost oral health without wearing away your tooth enamel like typical whitening products can often do. The clever formula also includes enzymes, which are said to prevent the chance of tooth decay by enhancing the antibacterial and antiviral function and calcium to reduce sensitivity and give your smile a boost in shine. It's now a permanent fixture in our bathroom. Curaprox White Is Black Toothpaste and Toothbrush, £19.95
The face maskFor a deep cleanse, turn to this little saviour from Clinique. The mineral clays soak up any excess oil from your skin while the added charcoal powder works to draw out any deep-seated dirt to really purify your pores. The result? A fresh, smooth and healthy complexion Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask, £23
The body washProving it's not just reserved for your face, when charcoal is added it body wash it leaves your skin super silky, nourished and clean. It helps almost 'detox' your skin, clearing any dirt and debris that's built up during the day. Origins Clear Improvement Purifying Charcoal Body Wash, £18
The weekly skin detoxLike a fast track facial. This water activated powder cleverly mixes activated charcoal with raw cacao, vitamin C and pineapple enzymes to cleanse your skin deep beneath the surface. So Pure Charcoal Facial Detox, £15
The exfoliatorA konjac sponge is a great way to exfoliate your skin, namely because it's renowned for its cleansing and gentle buffing properties. Made from an Asian plant that's been used for years in Korea as a way to cleanse the face, but this one goes one step further with added charcoal to mattify at the same time. Erborian Charcoal Konjac Sponge, £10 at SpaceNK
