Oh, these oriental women! How beautiful their skin is, well-groomed and without blemishes! Did you know that it was Chinese cosmetologists who were the first to use activated charcoal in the fight against acne and comedones? In the article: cleansing recipes for face masks made from activated carbon.
How does activated carbon work?
Activated carbon is a neutral substance, i.e. can neither improve nor worsen the general condition of the body. It is characterized by a high absorption coefficient due to its developed porous structure, which makes it a highly effective sorbent. In medicine and cosmetology it is used as an adsorbent.
In the photo: a greatly enlarged structure of activated carbon and the principle of carbon adsorption
The substance adsorbs well
- plant and microbial toxins
- many organic and inorganic compounds
- fats
Thanks to this, activated carbon is indispensable in the care of problem skin.
Black mask: secrets of proper facial cleansing with charcoal
Activated carbon is an important component of many care products: soaps, masks, compresses
- Don’t forget, activated carbon is a medical product and it has its own shelf life.
- For cosmetic and medical purposes only fresh adsorbent is used
- Be sure to check the mask for a possible allergic reaction
For this
- apply the mixture to the skin on the wrist or on the inner bend of the elbow for 10-15 minutes
- remove any remaining mixture using a cotton sponge/cosmetic tissue
- look at the condition of the skin where the mask is applied
- The purpose of medical activated carbon is to cleanse the skin. But coal adsorbs absolutely all substances from the upper layers of the epidermis: both harmful and beneficial. That is why masks with tableted activated carbon powder are most often multi-component, saturating the skin with essential microelements
- Pre-steaming your facial skin with a steam bath will enhance the effect of charcoal treatments. The video “Facial cleansing at home (steam bath)” will show you how to properly prepare your skin.
Important: DO NOT squeeze out pimples before applying a charcoal mask !
- Which areas are treated with the coal mixture:
- whole face - once a month
- chin, nose, forehead - once a week
Important: Charcoal masks are never applied to the skin in the area of the lips, eyes/eyebrows.
- Coal therapy is carried out for 1.5 months. Then you need to take a break
- Application time for charcoal masks is no more than 10 minutes. Charcoal, even medically activated one, can eat into the skin, giving it a grayish tint. To avoid this, do not exceed the application time of the mask.
- After removing the remnants of the mask, be sure to apply a nourishing cream to your facial skin.
- It is advisable not to go outside for 45-60 minutes after finishing cosmetic procedures. The skin should cool down, rest and “come to its senses”
Contraindications for coal therapy may include:
- individual intolerance to activated carbon
- open bleeding wounds
Skin preparation
A mask against acne and blackheads will not show its effectiveness on the first day of use. To get the desired result - a clean and attractive face, you need to work hard. At home, it will be useful to use a steam bath before applying the mask.
Steam baths
A steam bath will pre-steam the skin, soften existing comedones, improve blood circulation and expand pores. This will increase the effectiveness of the mask. Before this procedure, you need to take safety precautions - cover the skin around the eyes with a rich cream or apply a thin layer of olive oil (this will protect the delicate skin from burns and dehydration). Hair should be removed from the face and makeup should be removed.
It is recommended to carry out steam baths with decoctions of medicinal herbs. Yarrow, calendula, chamomile, and celandine are suitable. The decoction is prepared as follows: pour 3 tablespoons of your chosen herb or mixture of herbs with 1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil again. Infuse the decoction for 30 minutes. Before the steam bath, the resulting decoction can be heated a little more or boiling water can be added to the bowl with the decoction. Then you need to bend over the bowl and throw a towel over your head. The steam should be pleasant, not scalding. The duration of the procedure is no more than 5-10 minutes.
How to prepare a black face mask from activated carbon for acne?
Important: a classic activated carbon mask is applied only to problem areas of the skin
Proportions:
- 0.5 g tableted activated carbon (2 tablets)
- 18 ml distilled water. Can be replaced with regular bottled water or fresh milk
- Grind the charcoal tablets into a fine powder. This is easy to do with two spoons
How to grind a tablet into powder
- Pour the powder into a convenient container
- Dilute with water/milk to a smooth paste.
- Apply to well cleansed, steamed facial skin
- Remove any remaining mask after 7-10 minutes
- Rinse your face with water or herbal infusion. If your facial skin is oily, you can wipe your face with any fresh low-fat fermented milk product
- At the end of the cleansing procedure, be sure to apply a nourishing cream to the skin.
What are blackheads
Oily skin needs to be cleansed at least 2 times a day
Comedones or blackheads are enlarged pores with clogged oily secretions, accumulated impurities in the form of dust and a peeling layer of the epidermis. They can appear in any person, but most often form on oily skin. Enlarged pore ducts pose a threat to the onset of inflammatory diseases of the epidermis, since infections and bacteria can freely penetrate inside, causing acne and boils.
How to make a black mask with activated carbon without gelatin?
Gelatin masks are a wonderful skin care product that cleanses and nourishes the skin. However, if you don't like gelatin in cosmetics, you can do without it. Modern cosmetology offers a huge number of effective recipes without a gelatin component.
Recipe for a black scrub mask with activated charcoal and aloe juice
- 10 ml clean water
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil or any other essential oil that suits your skin. Oil is not a key component of the mask and its presence can be neglected
- 5 g fine sea salt. Coarse sea salt can be ground using a coffee grinder or blender.
- 5 g aloe juice
- 8 g tableted activated carbon powder
Charcoal mask with aloe and essential oils not only cleanses, but also nourishes problematic facial skin
- Mix all the ingredients until the mixture has a uniform paste-like consistency. If the mask is too thick, add a little water
- Apply the mask to steamed facial skin with light movements, massage problem areas of the skin for 3-5 minutes.
- Leave the mask on the skin for another 5-10 minutes
- Rinse off the mask with water or herbal infusion at a comfortable temperature.
Important: During the procedure, consider the secrets of proper facial cleansing with charcoal
Recipe for a black scrub mask made from activated carbon and honey
Honey is not only a storehouse of vitamins and microelements, but also a natural antiseptic that fights inflammatory processes
- 0.5 g tableted activated carbon powder
- 5 ml clean water
- 12 g honey
- 8 g sugar
A mask with activated carbon and honey will not only cleanse, but also restore the skin after winter “heavy” cosmetics
- Mix all ingredients until the mixture has a uniform paste-like consistency. If the mask is too thick, add a little water
- Apply the mask to steamed facial skin with light movements, massage problem areas of the skin for 3-5 minutes.
- Leave the mask on the skin for another 5-10 minutes
- Rinse off the mask with water or herbal infusion at a comfortable temperature.
Important: During the procedure, consider the secrets of proper facial cleansing with charcoal
Black activated carbon mask with egg
For problem skin, use the white part of a fresh homemade egg. Egg white is a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent with a huge supply of vitamins and microelements
- 0.5 g activated carbon powder
- 1 protein
Thoroughly whisk the components of the mask and apply to steamed facial skin, taking into account the secrets of proper charcoal cleansing
Black activated carbon mask with clay
Types of clay that help improve the condition of problematic facial skin
- green
- yellow
- blue
- white
- black
For the mask, choose clay that suits your skin
Each type of cosmetic clay has its own characteristic properties. Consider this when choosing a component for an activated carbon mask with clay
- 0.5 g tableted activated carbon powder
- 25 g clay
- pure water
- Mix coal and clay
- Gradually adding water, mix all ingredients until the mixture has a uniform paste-like consistency.
- Apply the mixture to steamed facial skin, taking into account the secrets of proper charcoal cleansing
Black mask with activated carbon and aspirin, benefits
Acetylsalicylic acid, known in everyday life as aspirin, is not only a wonderful remedy for the prevention of heart problems and an analgesic and antipyretic agent. Aspirin is an indispensable assistant in the fight for clear problem skin
- 1.5 g tablet aspirin powder
- 2 g tableted activated carbon powder
- 90-100 ml of fresh low-fat fermented milk product (yogurt / kefir) at room temperature. The drier the skin, the fattier the fermented milk product should be
Mix all the components of the mask. Apply the mixture to steamed facial skin, taking into account the secrets of proper charcoal cleansing
What are the reasons for their formation
There are many known factors that provoke the appearance of blackheads on the surface of the skin. Among them are:
- inappropriate skin type or insufficient care using inappropriate cosmetics and neglect of cleansing compositions;
- frequent use of low-quality decorative cosmetics (foundation creams, concealers, powders), which can clog pore ducts;
- the presence of hormonal imbalance in the body (during pregnancy, adolescence, menopause);
- hot summer period of the year, when the skin begins to actively secrete sebaceous secretions;
- the presence of bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking, fatty, fried and sweet foods) and unhealthy lifestyle (low physical activity);
- genetically predisposed to the presence of oily skin and wide pores;
- frequent stress, increased emotional overload;
- disturbances in the endocrine system of the body against the background of a malfunction of internal organs/systems;
- taking certain types of medications and medications;
- abuse of alcohol-containing compounds, which promote even more active sebum production.
Oily skin must be cleansed at least 2 times a day, using special cosmetics aimed at normalizing the secretion of oil by skin cells, narrowing pores and disinfecting.
Store-bought black masks
If you have neither the time nor the desire to prepare miraculous facial products, you can always find something suitable in price and quality in the store. Lifehacker selected seven masks with good customer reviews.
Nu-Pore's Brightening Three-Step Mask
A standard sachet contains three skin care products at once: a foam for cleansing the face before applying a mask, an oil primer that is applied under the mask, and a fabric mask with charcoal. A real spa treatment in a small package that is convenient to take with you on a trip. The mask cleanses, refreshes and brightens the skin.
Price: 145 rubles.
buy
Leaders Detox and Chill Mask
The name of the mask “Cleanse and Rest” is an advice to relax for 15 minutes while the active ingredients remove dead cells, refresh and moisturize your face.
Price: 291 rubles.
buy
Giovanni Detox System mask
Contains activated carbon, volcanic ash, acai and goji berry extracts. Thanks to the convenient tube packaging, the mask is easy to take with you on a trip.
Price: 464 rubles.
buy
Secret Key Black Out Pore Minimizing Pack
The main components of the mask are clay and charcoal. They deeply cleanse pores and help remove inflammation. In reviews on iHerb.ru, customers write that the mask evens out skin tone and refreshes the complexion, actively fights redness and acne, without drying out the skin. By the way, such masks can always be applied pointwise or only to the problematic T-zone of the face.
Price: 713 rubles.
buy
Elizavecca Milky Piggy Bubble Clay Mask
This mask is not only useful, but also fun. When applied to the face it starts to bubble! Besides the fact that you will look very funny, it is also a wonderful massage that will relax your face. So after the procedure you will have moisturized and clean skin plus a good mood.
Price: 743 rubles.
buy
Baviphat Urban Dollkiss Pore Bye Steam Pack Mask
Charcoal in the mask absorbs excess sebum, witch hazel extract eliminates inflammation and gently whitens, and the bright packaging pleases with its design.
Price: 760 rubles.
buy
Tony Moly Tako Pore Bubble Pore Pack
Funny Octopus Taco contains airy foam that gently cleanses and moisturizes the skin, and also eliminates signs of fatigue on the face.
Price: 1,060 rubles.
buy
