Charcoal

Discover why charcoal is one of the most popular ingredients out there, and what it can do for your skin and hair.

About Charcoal

One of Garnier’s key ingredients, activated charcoal acts like a natural magnet for the skin and hair. Its deep cleansing properties draw out toxins and impurities like oil, dirt, sweat, buildup and makeup for a clear, mattified complexion and shiny, bouncy locks.

Frequently Asked Questions

The charcoal that you see on the ingredients’ list of some of your favorite products is of the activated variety. Put simply, our charcoal is processed from renewable sources in a way to obtain an extremely porous raw material, which gives it a large surface area for absorption. This porosity is very interesting as it will absorb sebum, impurities, and pollution particles.
When it’s used in skincare, charcoal is good for your skin and has quite a few different benefits. Charcoal is known for its purifying properties thanks to its micro-porous structure with a very important adsorption surface. It helps absorb excess oil and remove impurities.
In haircare, black charcoal is developing a reputation as a wonder ingredient. And with good reason. As one of the most potent natural cleansers on the planet, charcoal is able to absorb 100 to 200 times its weight. Applied to the hair and scalp, it purifies and detoxifies by drawing out excess oil, grime, dirt, impurities and the residue that weighs hair down. This deep cleansing and exfoliating action has a rebalancing effect, helping to control excess sebum and prevent buildup while keeping the hair’s natural oils intact. The scalp is soothed and hydrated and hair looks and smells fresher for longer, allowing you to space out washes. Best of all, your dull and lifeless strands are transformed into bouncy, shiny, healthy-looking tresses.

The magnetic power of charcoal is ideally suited to oily hair which tends to become dull, heavy or even smelly if not properly cleansed. Incorporated into your haircare routine at least twice a week, charcoal shampoos, conditioners and treatments will help get to the root of your greasy hair problem and revive your lifeless locks. Despite its deep cleansing power, charcoal preserves the hair’s natural oils for added shine and luster.

We recommend that you start with Garnier’s Black Charcoal & Nigella Flower Oil Rebalancing Shampoo which removes 100% of impurities while hydrating dry ends and keeping hair fresh for up to 48 hours. Combine with the Black Charcoal and Nigella Flower Oil Conditioner to lock in moisture without weighing your hair down. Once a week, perform a complete reset with the Pure Clean Hair Reset Rebalancing Shampoo.

Though a must for oily hair, charcoal also benefits other haircare needs. The buildup of impurities, grease, dead skin cells and styling products can cause irritation to the scalp, leading to soreness and itchiness. Gentler than an exfoliant or scrub, charcoal hair products can have a healing effect by eliminating these residues, soothing the skin and allowing the scalp to breathe. They can also provide relief for unpleasant scalp conditions such as dryness and flakiness which can be brought on by irritation. The result is a healthier scalp and improved hair growth!
It’s thanks to charcoal’s absorptive properties that it’s often used and targeted towards people with oily or acne-prone skin types. Not only can it help to absorb excess oil on the surface of skin to help reduce shine and the appearance of blackheads, but it can also help draw out dirt, oil, and other impurities to help clear and brighten skin and prevent future breakouts from occurring. And charcoal is even good for sensitive skin, often found in products suitable for sensitive skin types such as Micellar Purifying Jelly Water.

However, its benefits span all skin types – and when well formulated, it doesn’t leave skin with that tell-tale greasy feeling. For those with oily acne prone skin do not hesitate to check on the packaging if the formula is non-comedogenic. As well as being suitable to use on its own, it’s an ingredient that’s often formulated into both skin care products, like moisturizers and body lotions.
Charcoal-based cleansers, masks, or soap, like SkinActive 3-in-1 Charcoal Anti-Blackheads Wash Scrub Mask, are ideal for combination to oily, acne-prone skin, delivering a clinically proven efficacy on imperfections.

For the 3-in-1 Charcoal Anti-Blackheads Wash Scrub Mask, the recommended usage is once a day as a wash or scrub, and three times a week as a mask. In case of sensitive skin or if any skin reaction occurs, it is recommended to use it only as a wash, gently massaging the skin, and reduce the frequency of use.

In haircare, charcoal shampoo, conditioner and treatments are safe to use on any hair type, including colored hair. For best results, we recommend incorporating the Black Charcoal & Nigella Flower Oil Rebalancing Shampoo and Conditioner into your routine once or twice week to keep tresses bouncy and voluminous. For oilier hair and scalps, increase the frequency as needed.