You’ve probably seen magazine articles or Pinterest pins of this hot new beauty trend: activated charcoal. While activated charcoal is actually one of the oldest beauty substances around, it has had a huge explosion of popularity lately and for good reason. It is an all natural product that traps toxins – perfect for all sorts of beauty products. Check out these brilliant activated charcoal uses you’ll want to try immediately.
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It is so simple to start adding activated charcoal to your DIY beauty products! Simply buy activated charcoal capsules to make these products here. Also, as with any new beauty products, test these activated charcoal uses on a small patch of skin first to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction to these ingredients.
1. DIY Mascara
A Blossoming Life came up with this DIY all-natural mascara when she was disappointed that all the other DIY mascaras she tried did not add the thickness and volume she was after. I had never realized you could make your own homemade mascara and I can’t believe how easy it is, so I had to add it to our activated charcoal uses list. You can even buy empty mascara tubes like these to make it look store bought. (via A Blossoming Life)
2. DIY Foaming Face Wash
When reading this list of activated charcoal uses, it may take a second to wrap your head around the fact that adding something that looks like dirt really makes your face cleaner. Actually, not only cleaner but detoxed! This DIY Foaming Face Wash also traps the toxins that can lead to skin problems, getting rid of blackheads, and combatting oily skin. This 5-ingredient DIY face wash also includes rose water as a toner – talk about multipurpose! (via Saved by Grace)
3. All Natural Stomach Flu Home Remedy
If you are like me, you try not to load up on medicine and prefer to try natural home remedies first if you start feeling sick. This all natural flu remedy may be all you need to stop it in its tracks! I have read review after review of bloggers that swear by this remedy. Luckily, I haven’t had the chance to put it to the test (knock on wood), but if I do I am definitely going to try it. (via Jenni Raincloud)
4. Prevent a Hangover
Hangovers are the worst. I think you all will agree. So when I hear about something to prevent hangovers, especially when it is an all-natural product, I know I want to try it! If you still aren’t convinced, read this real life experiment where activated charcoal’s hangover prevention powers were put to the test during a bachelorette party in Vegas. (Spoiler alert: it worked!)
5. Detox Drink: Activated Charcoal Lemonade
This is a hot drink in the juice bars in Los Angeles. Just like it binds to impurities on your face, it also binds to those toxins in your body and helps to flush them out. Perfect for a weekend cleanse or detox. Worried by how it will taste? I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how little you taste it. (via Style & Spice)
6. DIY Detox Soap Recipe
For #6 on our list of genius activated charcoal uses, we have this ultimate detox DIY soap recipe contains not one but three ingredients that are raved about as super ingredients in any beauty product: Himalayan salt, coconut oil, and activated charcoal. The Soap Deli News blog who made this recipe knows what they are talking about when it comes to soap! You won’t believe the level of detail they put into developing this masterpiece of a detox soap recipe. (via Soap Deli News)
7. Brighten Your Underarms (just 2 ingredients!)
No more feeling self-conscious about your armpits. This genius hack from Farah (check out her YouTube channel here) will have you ready for tank tops and dancing! Simply combine 1 Tbsp of honey and the contents of 3 capsules of activated charcoal for this super easy DIY underarm brightening treatment. Farah also offers the great tip of waxing, laser treatment, or threading to prevent any darkening of the underarm skin.
8. Easy DIY Face Soap
This easy DIY face soap recipe is a homemade dupe for the very popular BeautyCounter product that everyone raves about! It would even make a great gift for friends.
9. DIY Face Mask
This DIY face mask uses not one, not two, but three all natural super powered beauty products to reduce the size of pores, get rid of blackheads and leave you with glowing, fresh skin. It has matcha green tea powder, bentonite clay, and activate charcoal! This trifecta is packed with antioxidants, will help fight inflammation, and helps reduce pore size. Read our post on the Best DIY Pore Strips for a genius hack using just glue and activated charcoal to get rid of blackheads or my review of bentonite clay masks here (Spoiler: they are the best! And super cheap!) (via SheUncovered)
10. Activated Charcoal Facial Scrub
Too tired or don’t have time for a full face mask? Kristin of Live Simply came up with this genius facial scrub that exfoliates and traps toxins on your skin. Especially during winter, it is so important to slough off all those dead skin cells that can clog your pores so this is a double whammy you need to try! (via Live Simply)
11. Mint & Tea Tree Oil Foot Scrub
The last of our activated charcoal uses is this fragrant foot scrub using mint & tea tree oil – doesn’t that sound relaxing? Perfect for a girls night in while watching Mean Girls for the 100th time. (via Salt & Ritual)
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Which of these activated charcoal uses are you most excited to try? Let us know below and follow She Tried What on Pinterest for more curated DIY projects you will love.
