Formula: 1874 Difficulty level: beginner Shelf life: min 6 months pH optimal: - Phase Ingredients Total ~60 ml A Calcium carbonate 3 level tablespoons (12 g) A Activated charcoal 1 level teaspoon (1...
Activated Charcoal
€4.68
(VAT included)
€3.93
(without VAT)
_ _
Description
Activated Charcoal – Adsorbent Agent, Purifying and Natural Colorant
Activated Charcoal (Charcoal Powder) is a pure powder obtained through the controlled carbonization and thermal activation of plant biomass (typically wood or coconut shells). It is characterized by a highly developed microporous structure, which imparts a large specific surface area. In cosmetic applications, it acts as a mechanical purifying and surface detoxifying agent through the phenomenon of adsorption, binding excess sebum, impurities, and residues within its porous network. Additionally, due to its intense native pigmentation, it functions as a stable black natural colorant in various cosmetic structures.
Ingredients (INCI): Charcoal Powder.
Technical Characteristics
- Appearance: Fine powder, intense black color, odorless.
- Solubility: Completely insoluble in water, oils, and solvents. Disperses in aqueous, lipid, or gelled media.
- Cosmetic function: Absorbent/adsorbent agent, skin purifier, cleansing agent, natural colorant.
- Stability: Chemically inert material. Exhibits complete thermal stability and is stable across an extended pH range.
Main Properties
- High Adsorption Capacity: Efficiently binds surface lipids (sebum) and hydrophobic toxins from pores, reducing skin shine.
- Purification and Clarification: Rinses away devitalized cells, dust microparticles, and atmospheric pollutants adhering to the stratum corneum.
- Stable Black Pigment: Imparts uniform shades ranging from light grey to intense black in solid or fluid cosmetic products, without degrading under light or heat.
- Fine Abrasiveness: Provides extremely gentle mechanical exfoliation, suitable for cleansing teeth or skin without causing micro-lesions.
Applications
- Purifying (detox) and exfoliating facial masks for oily, combination, or urban pollution-exposed skin.
- Facial cleansers: gels, foams, and liquid soaps with mattifying properties.
- Solid soaps produced via Cold Process or Melt & Pour, as a decorative agent and natural colorant.
- Oral hygiene products: toothpastes and tooth powders for the mechanical cleaning of surface stains.
- Body scrubs and scalp shampoos prone to rapid greasiness.
- Makeup formulations for preparing kohl, eyeliner, eye shadows, mascara, and body paint.
Formulation Guide
The low density of activated charcoal powder requires careful handling during incorporation to prevent clumping and mess in the workspace:
- Pre-dispersion Technique: The powder tends to float on the water surface and become airborne during mixing. Never add activated charcoal directly to large volumes of free water. It is recommended to pre-disperse the powder in a humectant such as Glycerin, or in a light oil (e.g., Caprilis Oil), forming a homogeneous paste. This paste is subsequently easily incorporated into the aqueous phase or the final emulsion.
- Preventing Sedimentation: As an insoluble powder, it has a tendency to settle; its use in fluid products (shampoos, gels) requires a rheology modifier such as ACX Gum or HEC Gum to keep particles uniformly suspended over time.
- Recommended Dosage: 0.1% - 10%. Used at 0.1% - 1% in emulsions or fluid gels (to avoid skin staining upon application), 1% - 3% in solid soaps, and up to 10% - 20% in rinse-off facial masks.
- Synergies:
- Purifying Masks: Combine with Green Clay or White Clay to merge the ion-exchange properties of clay with the adsorption capacity of charcoal.
- Toothpaste: Combine with Calcium Carbonate and a glyceric humectant base to obtain a gentle abrasive paste for oral hygiene, enhanced with essential oils of peppermint, lemon, clove, or tea tree.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between adsorption and absorption regarding activated charcoal?
Absorption is a process where a substance enters into the interior volume of another body (like a sponge absorbing water). Adsorption (with a "d") is a surface phenomenon where molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids attach and adhere to the outer and inner pore walls of a solid substance. Activated charcoal works through adsorption, attracting impurities like a magnet to its expansive microporous surface.
Why did my charcoal cleansing gel separate and the black powder settle to the bottom of the bottle?
This issue occurs when the water base of the gel lacks an adequate viscosity or rheological structure to support suspended solid particles. Activated charcoal does not dissolve. If the gel is too fluid or the polymer network is weak, gravity will cause sedimentation. To stabilize the suspension, increase the percentage of thickening agent (such as ACX Gum) or ensure that the polymer used is capable of suspending solids.
Safety in Use and Storage
Safety Profile: Biologically inert raw material, non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic. Well tolerated by skin tissue and safe in case of minimal accidental ingestion (typical of toothpastes).
Precautions: For external cosmetic use only. The powder is extremely fine, light, and volatile; wearing a dust mask during handling and weighing of large volumes is recommended to prevent inhalation. The pure product stains porous materials and clothes; handle with care. Keep out of reach of children.
Storage: In a closed container, in a dry place.
Details
Code
D-1407
Status
Natural compliant
Suitable for
cosmetics, make-up, oral hygiene, soaps
Key benefits
antiseptic, deodorant, purifying
Specific indications
skin infections
Skin care
Cleansers, Exfoliators, Masks, Treatments
Skin type
Acne prone, All types, Oily
Hygiene
Cleansers, Oral hygiene, Soaps
Make-up
Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Mascara
Storage
in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight
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If you're looking for a natural, effective and versatile ingredient for skincare products, Ellemental's activated charcoal is definitely a great choice! I've used it in my formulas for detoxifying masks, soaps, and products for combination and oily skin, and the results have been amazing!
possesses significant absorption and adsorption capabilities excellent cosmetic active for purifying and detoxifying the skin helps remove impurities and blemishes such as blackheads, pimples, pollutants and debris small particle size for improved dispersibility reduces excess sebum and helps cleanse pores
I have used this product to make CP soap. It dissolves ok, no hard bubbles. It behaves well and the composition does not accelerate quickly. I would have liked it to have a smoother texture. I don't recommend for bath bombs, you risk badly staining the tub.
Used in cold process soap with charcoal and tea tree (not the recipe on the website),in toothpaste and in shampoo is very good.
An excellent product for many cosmetic products. I use it with confidence in soap, face masks and even makeup. I recommend
I got it recently and want to use it for making anti-acne soap. I read that it's a powerful detoxifier. It will give the soap a gray or black color.
I use it in cold process soaps. It is f fine, gives the soap a uniform color, deep black.
I use it in CP soaps. It is an essential ingredient in anti-acne soaps, useful for skin infections, having an antibacterial role. An excellent product. I recommend.
I use it in the soaps I make and I find it a very good product.I can say I can say it deserves 5 stars
I use activated charcoal in face masks and soaps. It's a very good product!
I used it to prepare a dry shampoo for a dark colored hair, with scalp with a high tendency to greasiness and I am satisfied.
Vegetable charcoal has a high adsorption capacity and is purifying and detoxifying. I use it in making a soap and mask to cleanse the skin of impurities, residues and excess sebum. I recommend.
I purchased the activated charcoal for 3 reasons: I needed a black pigment, but to be natural and with benefits and I am delighted with the result.
I used it in MP soaps and was delighted with the result! I noticed pleasant changes in the appearance of my complexion
I bought the charcoal with the idea of using it to whiten my teeth and to cleanse my complexion of sebum, blackheads, etc. However, I didn't really know how to use it. I put it on my toothbrush with a little toothpaste and brushed daily for about 2 weeks. I can't say the effect was wow. Then I also used it in my weekly face masks. I didn't notice anything extra compared to the days when it wasn't added in the mask composition. I also added it in the cream made from the hair powders, maybe it degreased the hair slightly. It's OK but not necessarily super.
I used it to make the Charcoal soap (soap Charbon) according to the recipe on the Elemental website and it turned out great for cleansing the face. For people with dry skin, there is some feeling of skin tightness, but it is due to both the soap , and the water. The color was intense and , in addition to the black pigment, adds purifying properties to the products.
I use this product in cold process soaps and I am very satisfied: the whole family now enjoys activated charcoal soap and I feel like they love me a little more :)
I recommend, a very good exfoliator, which I have been waiting for a long time to use in home made products.