Is Charcoal Soap Good For Skin?

For most skin types, yes - activated charcoal soap is generally safe to use on your face and body, and it's known for being a solid cleanser for oily skin thanks to its ability to absorb excess oil and remove surface dirt and grime. A 2020 review in Clinics in Dermatology found charcoal to be safe for cosmetic use, though the same review notes that clinical evidence does not support marketing claims that it treats acne, reduces pores, or reverses aging. It's not a proven medical treatment for any skin condition, so think of it as a strong cleanser rather than a cure-all.

While charcoal soaps may appear unappealing at first because of the black colour, they easily wash away and leave your skin feeling smooth and free from unwanted oils. Activated charcoal soap products are not just made from charcoal, though. Other natural ingredients are typically added to improve health benefits even further, such as:

• Argan oil: moisturizes skin to promote a smoother complexion
• Avocado oil: protects skin from sunburns and helps prevent dryness and irritation
• Coconut oil: known for helping skin retain moisture, and it possesses antibacterial properties that may help support acne-prone skin
• Jojoba oil: naturally moisturizes your skin while unclogging pores, and is known for rarely ever causing an allergic reaction
• Lavender essential oil: may help soothe dry or irritated skin and reduce the look of blemishes, all while making your skin smell fresh and natural (it's also a good natural insect repellent)
• Olive oil: helps skin to retain moisture, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and can protect it from damaging UV rays
• Tea tree: a popular choice for blemish-prone skin, as it can help reduce redness and swelling

And other natural and organic essential oils that leave a light fragrance on your skin.

Charcoal Soap Benefits

There are many benefits of charcoal soap for most skin types. It's known for:

Treating oily skin: Oily skin is the result of your body producing too much sebum. While this is a natural substance that's actually good for our skin, some people produce too much and are left with clogged pores and acne. As mentioned above, activated charcoal is a very porous material; therefore, it efficiently absorbs unwanted oil and leaves your skin looking fresh.

May help support acne-prone skin: Charcoal can absorb excess oil and surface bacteria from your skin and has some anti-inflammatory properties that may help with the appearance of redness that can follow a breakout.

May support a more even-looking complexion: Activated charcoal soap can be a useful part of a skin care routine aimed at a smoother, more even-looking complexion, as it helps clear away buildup that can leave skin looking dull.

Provides moisture to dry skin: The great thing about charcoal soap is its ability to conform to your specific needs. While it has the ability to remove excess oil, it can also act as a natural skin moisturizer, when paired with the right oils. This is good news for those with sensitive skin who often have trouble finding a soap that won't cause allergic reactions or irritation.

May help support sensitive or irritated skin: Some people with skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema use gentle charcoal cleansers as part of a broader routine, since charcoal soap is generally mild. It's not a treatment for these conditions, so always check with your dermatologist before adding any new product to a routine for a diagnosed skin condition.

Treats dandruff-prone hair: Charcoal shampoo bars are a great way to help remove buildup on your scalp while cleansing your hair. Or, if you have some activated charcoal on hand, it can be used as a scalp treatment on its own before proceeding with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

Level tone: If you're someone who tans easily or just naturally has an uneven tone, charcoal soap can help remove dead skin and surface buildup that can make tone look uneven. This is why you may often find activated charcoal as a main-listed ingredient on face mask packages.

Is Charcoal Body Wash Good For Your Skin?

Charcoal isn't only available in bar form - it's also a common ingredient in liquid body washes. The mechanism is the same either way: charcoal's porous surface helps absorb surface oil and grime during cleansing. The main difference comes down to formulation rather than charcoal itself - bar soap tends to rely on real plant oils for moisture, while liquid body washes more often use synthetic detergents that can be more drying with regular use. If you're choosing between the two, check the ingredient list behind the charcoal rather than assuming one format is automatically better for your skin.

Can Charcoal Soap Be Used Every Day?

While charcoal soap is definitely one of the best and most popular skin care products nowadays, you may not necessarily want to use it every single day. Some experts have recommended using it at least one to three times a week and switching back to your other go-to soap in between those days, especially depending on the type of skin you have.

Like other products, it can eventually make your skin feel dry and look flaky after too many uses, although there are charcoal creams you can use following your bath or shower to moisturize your skin again. And, depending on the ingredients added to the charcoal soap, it can irritate those with increased sensitivity.