7 Charcoal Body Scrub Benefits: Unlock the Secrets to Toxin-Free Skin

It’s highly likely that you’ve already heard of the many benefits associated with activated charcoal, especially as a beauty product. From facial scrubs to teeth-whitening hacks, activated charcoal has made quite the splash in many peoples’ beauty routines. But just like it can make a serious impact on your face, teeth and even your nutrition, it can also bring a bit of kick to your body beauty routine. If you’re thinking about getting a charcoal body scrub — or even making your own — here are some of the many benefits that you might experience from using a charcoal body scrub.

What Does Charcoal Body Scrub Do?

Charcoal body scrub can cleanse your skin, remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, smooth skin, reduce discoloration, gently exfoliate and deep clean.

Using charcoal in your skin routine can cleanse your body more deeply than normal soaps. It’s often used in exfoliators, facial masks and body scrubs. It can get down into your pores and remove dirt below the surface. While it’s not meant for daily use, it can be a great ingredient to incorporate in your weekly routine.

Here are some of the benefits of charcoal scrub for your skin:

• Cleanses dirt and grime.
• Unclogs pores.
• Smooths skin.
• Reduces discoloration and impurities.
• Exfoliates.

Read on for more details on activated charcoal’s amazing benefits.

Cleansing Properties

Most body scrubs should be used alongside another cleansing agent of some kind — such as a body wash or soap. And while you can do that with activated charcoal scrubs, they also have their own cleansing properties that work as their own methods of cleaning dirt and grime off of your skin.

Removing Dead Skin Cells

Much like any scrub, charcoal body scrubs can help to remove dead skin cells from your body, which can leave you feeling smoother and less dry all over. If you struggle with dry or flaky skin, this can be a great opportunity to gently exfoliate and use a natural method to get rid of those dead skin cells.

Unclogs Pores

Not all scrubs can unclog your pores, but using charcoal and activated charcoal can help you if this is one of your skin goals. Especially when looking for body products, finding things that effectively unclog the pores can actually be quite difficult, as the balance between sensitive products that won’t strip your skin and ingredients that can get the dirt and grime from your pores can actually be quite tricky. Luckily, activated charcoal is a great ingredient for this purpose.

Smooths Skin

Aside from the nitty gritty, scrubs in general — but ones with charcoal more specifically — can be great for smoothing the skin. Especially after shaving or before cleansing, using a soft scrub can be a great way to smooth out your skin and feel extra soft. Although this can be a little bit more about the outside appearance and experience, it’s definitely still worth mentioning. Plus, getting rid of dryness can definitely be worthwhile in the long run.

Can Reduce Discoloration and Impurities

Although many scrubs promise to do this through exfoliation alone, anyone who has struggled with bumps, acne, discoloration and other skin impurities will tell you that exfoliation alone is not enough to fix any and all skin issues. In fact, the wrong kind of exfoliator can actually make things worse if you aren’t careful. However, that’s why activated charcoal can be the perfect solution for this! With its cleansing and detoxifying properties, it can help to clear out acne and other imperfections while exfoliating. Essentially, you can hit multiple birds with one stone. 

Gentle Exfoliation

One of the biggest things to look out for when choosing — or making — a scrub is that some exfoliators can be way too harsh for the skin, and actually do more harm than good. With charcoal, you don’t need to worry about that because the exfoliation is actually extremely gentle. Even while it does break down dead skin cells, unclog the pores and smooth out the skin, the grains are small enough that it doesn’t cause excessive abrasion. This means you get the benefit of exfoliation without worrying about some of the common plights of physical exfoliators. 

Deeper Cleansing

Charcoal doesn’t just have the ability to cleanse — it has the ability to go deep and really get into the nitty gritty. Especially when it comes to body washes, many of them don’t get beneath the surface to cleanse the pores and other areas that often need a good detox. Luckily, charcoal can absolutely do that. Not only does it feel fantastic, but it also can look great with repeated use!

How Often Should I Use Charcoal Body Scrub?

Now that you know the benefits, you might be ready to introduce this technique to your beauty routine. However, it’s important to know best practices. Like anything, it’s possible to overdo it.

So, how often should you use charcoal body scrub? Many recommend one to three times per week to avoid drying or irritating your skin. Avoid using charcoal products every day, and listen to your skin. Dryness and flakiness may be signs that you’re using it too much, as the ingredient works to soak up oils in your skin.

Try starting with once a week, then slowly increase from there if you feel like your skin can handle it.

How Do You Make Charcoal Scrub?

If you’re an avid DIYer, you might be interested in making a charcoal exfoliator yourself. Here is a simple recipe you can try at home:

• 1/3 cup cane or white sugar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 activated charcoal capsules
• 3 drops essential oil (optional)

Simply mix the ingredients together in a jar until they combine.

Explore the Charcoal Body Scrub Benefits

Like many body scrubs out there, charcoal body scrubs can offer a variety of benefits that can make you feel amazing come time for your next shower. In addition to the exfoliation, smoothing and physical comfort of the scrub, you can also use charcoal as a cleansing agent that has the power to unclog your pores and offer the perfect gentle exfoliation. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal no matter what skin concerns you’re focusing on!