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
Features of the film mask
A film mask is one of the favorite skincare products of the fair sex, because the cosmetic industry has not yet come up with anything more convenient for cleansing the skin and getting rid of nasty blackheads. The principle of operation of this mask is very simple: apply the sticky mixture to your face, it catches dead cells, dirt and sebum, and when it dries, you remove it from the skin along with all the debris.
Take a look at any cosmetic store and you will see dozens of film masks in various lines, from mass market to luxury brands. The film mask is good in all respects: it is easy to apply, convenient (and even fun!) to remove, and has a comprehensive effect.
And the cleansing effect is easy to evaluate with your own eyes: just look closely at the back of the film after removal, and you will see all the contents of the blackheads that the mask pulled out from your face.
Cosmetic laboratories have a variety of products in their arsenal that create a sticky film effect. And what’s most unexpected is that it’s quite possible to repeat this at home. The most “creative” recipes for those who want to learn how to make a black mask at home suggest using PVA glue or BF-6 medical glue. But if you are saving your nerves and face, it is better to stick to the safe classics - gelatin and egg white.
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.
Cleansing face mask with honey. Toning and nourishing the face
- Fruits and vegetables . A honey face mask nourishes the skin, and when adding lemon or kiwi juice, it can also tone it. You need to take honey, lemon, and yolk in equal proportions, mix, heat to a pleasant temperature and apply to the skin. Keep for 10 to 15 minutes. Garlic juice is often used to remove oily shine. You need to grate one slice of vegetable, squeeze out a few drops of juice from it, mix them with a tablespoon of honey, add a little nourishing cream if desired, apply the mixture to problem areas, leave for half an hour.
- Essential and cosmetic oils. By using honey and olive oil, you can get rid of enlarged pores at home. Mix in equal parts, spread on face, keep for 20 minutes. A nourishing castor oil mask is beneficial not only for hair. It works as an excellent healing mixture that even helps with open wounds. Mix castor oil with honey and ginger powder. Apply to the dermis with gentle movements for 40 minutes.
- Dairy . A good mask is made from cottage cheese, warm honey and sour cream. This product will perfectly balance the skin, giving it matte and smoothness. Mix everything in a non-metallic container until it reaches a relatively liquid consistency and apply a thick layer to the face. Keep for 30 minutes. In winter, a nourishing mask made from kefir and banana pulp is very useful for dry skin. Mix everything, before applying, lubricate your face with cream. Keep it for 40 minutes.
- Mineral supplements. A mask for dry skin made from blue clay, starch and honey is very helpful. This mask will cleanse problem areas and moisturize the dermis. Mix the ingredients 2:1:1, apply to previously treated skin with cream. Keep it for 20-25 minutes. Excellent cleansing masks are made from aspirin, calcium and honey. For sensitive skin, a little glycerin will be helpful. Grind the tablets, pour them into a ceramic cup, pour in two spoons of honey and one ampoule of glycerin, mix until smooth and apply a thin layer on the face in a circular motion. After 5 minutes of massage, rinse off the mixture.
- Alcohol components. Often a mixture of vodka, Tibetan honey and coffee grounds is used to cleanse pores, and this mixture can also be used on the body to get rid of acne. Mix half a glass of warm vodka, a spoonful of grounds and a spoonful of warm honey, apply the mixture in a dense layer on the face, or preferably in several levels. Masks with vodka are great for acne. Keep for about half an hour for oily skin, 20 minutes for dry skin, and 10-15 for aging skin. There are a lot of yeast remedies, one of the most popular is a mask made from beer, honey and eggs. Heat half a glass of beer until warm, then pour into it two spoons of natural honey and one egg beaten until foamy. Apply several layers onto the face with a sponge and leave for 40 minutes.
- Flour products (cereals, flour, bread). In order to tighten sagging skin, you need to use a rejuvenating mask made from oatmeal, olive oil, milk and beeswax. You need to prepare a fairly thick mixture from the above ingredients, then heat it in a water bath. While the mass is warm, apply it to the face and wait until it hardens. Then just remove the film. An excellent tightening film mask comes from Hercules porridge (or regular oats), beaten egg yolk and honey. If you suffer from problematic aging skin, we recommend adding a pinch of salt to the mixture. Mix everything, you should get a pretty thick mass, you need to apply it to your face, wait for it to dry and repeat the procedure. Keep for 30 minutes for young dermis, and 20 for mature dermis.
- Other Ingredients. To cleanse and refresh your skin, we recommend a cinnamon mask. It is easy to do and the effect is excellent. Mix the aromatic spice with honey and apply to the face with massage movements. Massage for 5-10 minutes, wash. For problem skin, a mask with propolis and aloe juice is very useful. This mixture will help with redness. Heat the propolis to a temperature of 37 degrees, mix it with the juice of the plant, leave it for a few minutes to tincture. After receiving the porridge, wipe your face. Do not wash off for half an hour.
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
Other cosmetic products
Korean cosmetics for comedones are recommended for use not only by cosmetologists, but also by many dermatologists. Some products from well-known Korean manufacturers can be purchased at herbal pharmacies and specialized sales points. To get rid of open comedones and other cosmetic imperfections, the following products are often used:
- Aqua hyaluronic acid water drop cream from Elizavecca - cream with hyaluronic acid and extracts of 7 medicinal herbs. Elizavecca pore cleanser quickly melts fat plugs, tightens pores and eliminates inflammation.
- Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing is a liquid cleanser with abrasive particles. Foam scrub from Pore Cleansing is used to cleanse the face of spots, dead skin cells and impurities.
- Lioele Pore Clean & Tightening Dr. Ampoule is a serum based on zinc and witch hazel extracts. Narrows pores, regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands and prevents them from clogging with fat plugs.
Cosmetics from Korean manufacturers have pronounced medicinal properties. Therefore, it is used not only for skin care, but also to combat cosmetic defects. With regular use of cream masks, scrubs, foams and patches, the tone of the face is evened out, and the spots completely disappear.
