Did you know bamboo charcoal can cure and prevent hangovers? Sounds weird but there’s a scientific reason behind it. Bamboo charcoal can adsorb certain toxins from the liver and detoxify your body. Similarly, it can also remove deep-seated impurities, excess sebum from your skin and hair.
Bamboo charcoal has long since been used to cure poisoning in Ayurveda and this ingredient is back in trend in the beauty industry. Is bamboo charcoal effective for your skin? Does it help to solve hair problems? How often should you use the ingredient?
If you want to investigate more into this black sponge, keep reading!
How Does Bamboo Charcoal Work?
It is crushed to a fine powder and then treated with carbon dioxide to ‘activate’ it. This activated powder has a large surface area that adsorbs dirt or sebum from your skin and scalp.
The charcoal also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent acne, dandruff, and microbial growth. Due to its deep cleansing property, bamboo charcoal is believed to detoxify not only your skin but your hair as well.
Bamboo Charcoal For Your Skin
Bamboo charcoal is highly beneficial for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Applying bamboo charcoal for about 10 minutes can get rid of whiteheads, blackheads and also remove debris from clogged pores. Since it is a natural ingredient, it cleans your skin without having any adverse effects.
However, making DIY skincare with it will not have the same efficacy as well-formulated products. Hence, it is wiser to buy products that contain activated bamboo charcoal as their main ingredient.
You will often find charcoal in wash-off products like face wash, soaps, scrubs, and face masks. Unfortunately, most of the products do not contain sufficient concentration of the ingredient. But there are some hidden gems as well. You can opt for any of the following products for great results-
- Origins Active Charcoal Mask
- Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque
- Chic Republic All Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
Bamboo Charcoal For Your Hair
Probably more than your skin, your hair goes through a tough journey of fighting frizz, pollution, chemicals, and heat. As a consequence, it ends up getting damaged by the end of the day. Bamboo charcoal helps to thoroughly remove the dirt and grime from your hair while controlling oil production. Owing to its antibacterial properties, it reduces dandruff, flaking of the scalp, and soothes scalp irritation. It improves blood circulation and stimulates the hair follicles for growth. Moreover, activated charcoal adds luster to your hair and makes it frizz-free.
Itis a great ingredient for shampoo bars, hair masks, and hair conditioners. To get value for your money, you can try the following-
- PURC Organics Bamboo Charcoal Shampoo Bar
- Herbal Essences, Shampoo and Conditioner Kit, BioRenew Detox Charcoal
- African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Purification Masque
For best results, apply your charcoal hair mask or shampoo thrice a week after using hair oil. If you don’t go outside too much, you can limit the use of activated charcoal to two times a week.
Other Uses
Bamboo charcoal is a versatile ingredient. If you are innovative, you can use it in multiple ways. For instance, charcoal naturally whitens your teeth, treats gingivitis, and prevents bad breath. That’s the reason you will find a hundred kinds of toothpaste with activated charcoal in it.
Moreover, you can use it as a body scrub that will physically exfoliate and remove dirt from your body. It works best to remove dead skin cells from your soles and rough parts of the body. Not surprisingly, activated charcoal can reduce skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, where certain areas of your body develop bumps due to excess keratin synthesis
How Is Bamboo Charcoal Different From Bentonite Clay?
If you are an ingredient nerd, you might have already spotted the similarities between Bamboo charcoal and Bentonite clay. Though both of them deeply cleanse your skin and hair, there are a few differences between the two ingredients.
First, of course, the sources of these two ingredients are entirely different. Bamboo charcoal, as evident, is derived from bamboo plants whereas Bentonite clay is derived from volcanic ash
It adsorbs every impurity like a sponge but bentonite clay adds back minerals like calcium, sodium while removing dirt from your skin.
Also, the texture of these two ingredients is different. The charcoal has a more grainy texture while bentonite clay feels like fine powder on application
Precautions While Using Bamboo Charcoal
It is safe to use but it is extremely drying on the skin. This makes it unsuitable for people with normal to dry skin. It can make your skin feel tight if you don’t follow up with a moisturizer. The key lesson is no matter how oily your skin is, you should apply a nourishing cream after using any product with bamboo charcoal.
The Takeaway
Bamboo charcoal is rightly a beneficial ingredient that can be incorporated into your self-care routine. It should ideally be used three times a week to see visible improvement in your skin, hair, and body. Go ahead and drool over this superstar!
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