How to Make Face Packs With Charcoal Powder: DIY Recipes + Benefits
Charcoal is a superhero ingredient that will detoxify your skin, unclog pores, and absorb excess oil, all while having a blast making your very own face pack. So, try some of our charcoal face pack recipes, and enjoy a clear and radiant complexion.
July 3, 2023 5 minutes readIn This Post
Charcoal is a versatile skincare ingredient that can be combined with many other natural ingredients to create unique DIY detox face packs, tailored for your skin type. Whether you have oily or sensitive skin, or just want to give it a deep cleanse, you can't go wrong with a charcoal powder face pack.
In this article, we'll share the recipes for four different face packs with charcoal, as well as their benefits and the guide on how to use them for the best results.
How to Make DIY Face Packs With Charcoal Powder
DIYing your own face pack with charcoal powder is pretty simple and fun. The combinations of ingredients are endless; you just need to make sure to get a good water-to-powder ratio to form a paste that you can easily spread across your face.
So, here are four ways to make your own charcoal face pack:
Charcoal and Aloe Vera Gel Face Pack Recipe
This simple recipe for a charcoal face pack is excellent for oily and sensitive skin. However, if the pack feels too drying, add a teaspoon of jojoba or grapeseed oil. You can also add other ingredients to this face pack, such as tea tree oil to fight acne or mashed avocado for its nourishing properties.
You'll need:
- 1 teaspoon charcoal powder
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon honey
Preparation:
- Combine the charcoal powder, water, and aloe vera gel in a small bowl, and mix well to form a paste.
- To add an extra boost of hydration and nutrition, pour one tsp of honey into the mixture.
- Stir again until the ingredients are nicely blended.
- And, if you want your face pack to be more moisturizing, now would be the time to add a teaspoon of your favorite facial oil, and give it a final stir.
For best results, use this face pack 1-2 times a week. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to do a patch test on your wrist before applying the pack to your face.
Charcoal and Bentonite Clay Face Pack Recipe
For all of you with oily skin struggling with constant excess shine and acne, this charcoal and bentonite clay face pack is a godsend. We added a bit of lemon juice for extra brightening properties, but if your skin is sensitive, it's best to leave it out.
You'll need:
- 1 teaspoon charcoal powder
- 1 teaspoon bentonite clay
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons water
Preparation:
- In a small bowl, mix together the charcoal powder and bentonite clay.
- Add the lemon juice (strained from stones and other solid bits) and water to the bowl, and stir until a smooth paste is formed.
- And your face pack is ready to use.
Use once a week or every two weeks, depending on how your skin reacts to it. If you find the mask too drying, it would be best to use it less frequently.
Charcoal and Green Tea Face Pack Recipe
This face pack is perfect for oily skin with the first signs of aging. While charcoal helps with oiliness, antioxidants in green tea repair any skin damage and make fine lines and wrinkles less prominent.
You'll need:
- 1 teaspoon charcoal powder
- 2 green tea bags
- 1 teaspoon honey
Preparation:
- Brew a cup of green tea, with two tea bags, and let it cool completely.
- In a small bowl, blend the charcoal powder and two teaspoons of cooled green tea.
- Add the honey, and stir to create a paste.
- If the mixture is too liquidy, add more honey and charcoal; if it's too thick, add more tea.
- Mix and match until you get a perfect consistency.
You can use this face pack once or twice a week for the best results. Always follow up with a moisturizer to prevent dryness and peeling.
Charcoal and Yogurt Face Pack Recipe
Thanks to lemon juice and yogurt's brightening and exfoliating properties, this charcoal face pack is perfect for oily skin prone to acne and acne scars. If papaya is readily available to you, you can use papaya juice instead of lemon juice in this recipe.
You'll need:
- 1 teaspoon charcoal powder
- 2 teaspoons Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or papaya juice)
- 1 teaspoon honey
Preparation:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.
- If the consistency is too thick, add a bit of water until smooth paste forms.
- Be mindful when applying this face pack and avoid the delicate eye area as the lemon juice can sting.
If you feel burning or stinging at any point, rinse the mask immediately. And next time, make it without lemon or papaya juice.
How to Use Your DIY Face Pack With Charcoal Powder
To get the most out of your charcoal face pack, make sure to follow this step-by-step guide on how to use it:
- Cleanse: Wash your face thoroughly before using the face pack to remove any makeup or impurities. This way, the activated charcoal in the mask will absorb impurities stuck deep inside the pores more effectively.
- Apply: Use a small amount of face pack and apply it evenly to your face using a brush, avoiding the delicate eye and lip area. Also, if you have combination skin, you can apply the mask only to the oily parts, like your T-zone.
- Let it do its magic: Leave the face pack on for 10-15 minutes, or less if you're using ingredients like lemon juice, papaya juice, or apple cider vinegar, or until it has dried completely. As the face pack dries, your skin may feel a bit tight and uncomfortable, but that's normal.
- Rinse: Wash the mask thoroughly with warm water, then splash your face with cold water to close your pores.
- Moisturize: Since charcoal may be drying, always follow up with a nourishing moistruizer to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. We'd suggest applying it to damp skin to lock all that moisture in.
Regarding the frequency of use, it will depend on your skin type and condition. So if you have excessively oily skin, you may find it beneficial to use the charcoal face pack more frequently, twice a week or more often. And, if your skin is more on the dry side, you can still enjoy the benefits of this pack, but use it only once a month.
And, no matter which recipe you go for, if you have any leftovers from your face pack, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days – but don't use it if it has changed in color, texture, or scent.
Benefits of Using Charcoal Powder Face Packs
Charcoal powder or activated charcoal is made by heating materials, such as wood or coconut shells, in the presence of an oxidizing gas. This process creates a highly porous material, which allows the charcoal to work as a magnet – and when applied to the skin, it adsorbs all the impurities and dirt.
Here are some of the main benefits of using a charcoal face pack:
- Detoxifies skin: Charcoal is an excellent cleansing agent, and when used in a face pack, it sucks up all the toxins and bacteria from your skin.
- Unclogs pores: If you have a lot of open comedones or blackheads, charcoal face packs would be a natural remedy to go for, as it unclogs these pores and removes their content, making them less prominent in the long run.
- Absorbs excess oil: Charcoal is highly absorbent, and when used in a face pack, it removes excess oil from your skin. This can be especially beneficial for people with oily skin, reducing shine and preventing breakouts.
- Brightens skin: Charcoal face packs have mild exfoliating properties, brightening your skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Takeaway...
As you can see, making your own natural charcoal face pack is super easy and its benefits are plenty, from reducing shine to brightening. So make a paste by mixing charcoal powder with just plane water or other water-based ingredints and combine it with aloe vera gel, green tea, or yogurt, apply to cleansed skin, rinse, moisturize; and your skin will look and feel refreshed and healthy.
FAQs
How do you use charcoal powder for face packs?
You can make a variety of face packs using charcoal powder by mixing it with other ingredients you likely already have, like aloe vera gel, yogurt, green tea, and others. Or you can make a pack using only charcoal powder and a bit of water to create a spreadable paste.
Can I use charcoal powder on my face?
Yes, you can use charcoal powder on your face, and it's especially beneficial for those with oily skin types. It will draw out all the impurities, oils, and bacteria from your pores, leaving your skin fresh but shine-free.
What can I mix with charcoal powder for a face mask?
You can mix some water and aloe vera gel with charcoal powder to create a face mask for oily, acne-prone skin. Or you can mix it with yogurt and some honey to make an exfoliating and moisturizing face mask.
Are charcoal powder face masks good?
Charcoal face masks have cleansing and detoxing properties and are excellent for those who have excessively oily skin or are struggling with acne.