The Best Charcoal Beauty Products
From curing hangovers to whitening teeth, activated charcoal offers a variety of benefits for the entire body, from the inside out. The fine black powder is processed to make it more porous, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules (such as toxins). Activated charcoal isn’t absorbed by the body, so it can remove toxins more effectively.
Charcoal is also a popular ingredient in beauty products. It helps whiten teeth by absorbing plaque and other teeth-staining compounds, can reduce acne and other skin impurities, removes dirt and other toxins from the hair and scalp without stripping them of essential oils, and more.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best charcoal beauty products that are truly game-changers when it comes to hair and skin. From face masks and toothpaste to body scrubs and shampoo, these beauty goods will give you good reason to jump on the charcoal bandwagon.
Bosley Professional Strength Bos-Volumize Bamboom ($24.99)
Made from renewable bamboo charcoal, this volumizing powder removes impurities and toxins from the scalp and hair, helping to clear the hair follicle of surface build-up for uninhibited healthy hair growth. A new synergistic blend of amino acids technology and tapioca starch further reduces greasiness, and adds moisture, strength, and color protection while supporting healthy hair.
Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque ($49)
This all-in-one treatment masque detoxifies, brightens, and invigorates normal to oily skin. The fast-acting, easy-to-remove formula rescues tired, lackluster, or dull skin. Activated Binchotan charcoal absorbs impurities, while sulfur promotes skin cell turnover for brighter skin. Volcanic ash, sea silt, bamboo extract, and alpha hydroxy acids further accelerate skin brightening with dual-action exfoliation. Niacinamide helps reduce congestion and calms the skin, while Chilean wild mint refines pores.
Dial for Men Odor Combat Body Wash ($3.99)
This body wash is formulated with activated charcoal to draw out and cleanse the body of odor and odor-causing bacteria for a clean and deodorizing wash, while powerful cleaners rinse without drying. The rich, creamy lather body wash rinses clean and leaves skin feeling fresh.
Earth Therapeutics Purifying Charcoal Gentle Peeling Foot Mask ($12)
This gentle elixir-infused sock type delivery system is specially formulated with wood charcoal, soothing botanicals, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid Complex to leave feet lavishly soft and smooth. Offers visibly smooth results within two weeks.
Eminence Organic Skin Care Balancing Masque Duo ($54)
This duo improves skin's overall tone, texture, and clarity with one side-by-side face mask specifically formulated for normal and dry cheeks and another for an oily, acne-prone T-zone. Charcoal and kaolin clay draw out bacteria, excess oil, and impurities to control sebum production, refine the size of pores, and prevent acne flare-ups. Moisture-intense pomelo juice and shea butter balance dryness while ridding skin of debris and fighting off free radicals for a glowing complexion.
Fivesso Activated Charcoal Premium Coffee Soap Bar ($13.75)
Made with organic coffee and activated charcoal, this soap bar is handcrafted in the USA and contains the highest-quality ingredients. The activated charcoal coffee soap is made with light roasted organic coffee grounds, organic olive oil, sustainable sourced organic palm oil, sustainably sourced activated charcoal, and organic essential oils for the highest quality exfoliation.
Generation Clay Detoxifying Charcoal Clay Mask ($39)
Formulated with the brand’s all-natural mainstay, activated charcoal, this mask draws out dirt, toxins, and impurities. Witch hazel helps reduce acne and minimize the appearance of pores, while Old Man Weed fights acne-causing bacteria to prevent breakouts and blackheads. With regular use, skin is left refined, clear, and hydrated.
Glo Skin Beauty Charcoal Detox Mask ($48)
This two-in-one exfoliating treatment face mask provides ultimate skin clearing with a filtering complex of charcoal powder, kaolin clay, and bentonite clay. These powerful ingredients help draw out excess oil and impurities for a renewed, refreshed complexion. Environmentally-friendly jojoba beads provide critical exfoliation, which leaves skin smooth, soft, and conditioned.
GoodJanes DeepTox Charcoal Cleanser ($30.95)
This potent cleanser helps reduce oiliness and remove impurities with activated charcoal to reveal clean, bright skin. An all-natural mix of ingredients aids in minimizing pore size and helps protect the skin from oxidation.
Hask Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo ($7.99)
This lightweight, ultra-fine rice starch formula is infused with charcoal powder to help soak up oil, sweat, and odor, leaving hair soft and purified. It’s infused with a botanical citrus scent and is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, and artificial colors.
Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar ($12)
Gentle yet effective, this soap bar works especially well to clean and care for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types. Key ingredients include activated bamboo charcoal and tea tree essential oil. Truly natural, vegan, and cruelty-free.
IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo ($27)
This dry shampoo cleanses even the most oily hair and scalp with an oil-erasing, odor-eliminating charcoal powder. The heavy-duty dry shampoo allows you to go even longer between washes—even after workouts. Detoxifying charcoal powder absorbs oil, while white tea powder calms the scalp and strengthens hair follicles.
Indigo Wild Zum Face Charcoal Sugar Facial Scrub ($14)
Designed to give skin a toxin-lift, this sugar facial scrub naturally exfoliates and leaves skin smooth and soft. Ingredients include organic cane sugar, plant-based oils, pure essential oils, and activated charcoal to help draw toxins out from dry, dull skin.
Joanna Vargas Skincare Miracle Bar ($22)
This charcoal soap rinses away impurities to deliver a flawless finish. Formulated with skin-repairing ingredients, this innovative bar soap is non-drying and can be used on the face and body for perfectly cleansed, balanced skin from head-to-toe.
Karuna CleanMud Face Mask ($8)
This sheet mask features activated charcoal and hyaluronic acid to deep-clean pores and restore hydration. After one use, skin feels refined and refreshed.
Kopari Beauty Coconut Charcoal Toothpaste ($12)
This toothpaste works to naturally restore enamel, whiten teeth, and freshen breath without any nasty chemicals. The 100% natural, coconut minty-flavored charcoal toothpaste is fluoride-free with a clean alternative that helps to strengthen and repair enamel on teeth. It’s formulated with activated charcoal for extra whitening, while working to capture toxins that cause staining and bad breath.
Mary Kay Clear Proof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask ($24)
This triple-action charcoal mask acts like a magnet to deep-clean pores. Formula is clinically shown to instantly absorb excess oil and reduce shine, and includes extracts of rosemary and peppermint that deliver a fresh scent to awaken your senses.
Masqueology Charcoal Pore Purifying Rubber Mask ($5)
This mask is a two-step process that helps minimize the appearance of pores, and removes excess sebum and oil for a smooth and clear complexion. The two steps include a highly concentrated cream and a rubber mask that was developed to seal in the cream benefits, as well as soothe stressed skin.
Oars + Alps Solid Face Wash ($20)
Powerful and portable, this face cleansing stick taps activated charcoal exfoliants and other natural ingredients to dissolve deep-down dirt. Antioxidant-rich Alpine Caribou Moss from northern Finland boosts elasticity and guards against environmental stressors like pollution. Great for all skin types.
One Love Organics The Cleaning Sponge Bamboo Charcoal Heart ($10)
The Cleansing Sponge is made with bamboo charcoal and 100% pure konjac plant fiber, prized for its ability to detoxify pores and smooth skin while buffing away dirt and makeup. Soft yet exfoliating, it’s ideal for everyday use on even the most sensitive skin.
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($13)
This face mask helps flush out environmental toxins, dirt, and debris that can clog pores and cause skin to look dull—leaving the complexion clarified, refreshed, and healthier-looking. Bamboo charcoal removes excess oil that could lead to blackheads, white China clay absorbs environmental toxins, and lecithin dissolves impurities.
Pacifica Crystal Lava Bubbling Charcoal Shimmer Mask ($16)
Infused with charcoal, quartz, and watermelon, this mask has effervescent bubbling action to power your glow. 100% vegan and cruelty-free. After applying a thick layer to skin, leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and allow it to work its magic!
Paula’s Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask ($30)
Balance oily skin and de-congest pores with charcoal and natural clays suspended in a soothing gel mask for a refreshed, shine-free complexion. Charcoal draws out pore-congesting debris, absorbent clays mattify oily shine, and the refreshing gel formula balances hydration.
Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask ($60)
This purifying, decongesting, and hydrating face mask with odorless Irish moor mud helps draw out dirt, oil, and grime while simultaneously providing nourishment. With the highest level of organic content in the world, 9,000 year-old black moor Mud is harvested by hand from the Irish countryside and combined with hijiki seaweed, volcanic ash, and activated charcoal for powerful cleansing while helping to minimize the appearance of pore size, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Renpure Detoxifying Charcoal Clarify + Deep Cleanse Shampoo & Conditioner ($6.99 each)
The Detoxifying Charcoal collection deeply cleanses hair with the power of natural charcoal. Charcoal removes impurities, leaving hair feeling fresh and clean. This collection is formulated with mint leaves, wild fern, and violet to freshen the senses. The plant-based, sulfate-free, top-selling formula soothes the scalp while restoring strength and shine.
Save Me From Product Overload Tip to Root Hair Reboot ($30-$92)
This dual-use hair mask and texturizing clay is perfect to detoxify an oily scalp, dull, stringy hair, and greasy tresses. Made with Fenugen™, an encapsulation combining karanja oil, bioboosters, and Ayurvedic Fenugreek that works to end hair breakage and reboot healthy hair from tip to root. Additional ingredients include black kaolin, white and bamboo activated charcoal, and multi-hyaluronic acid.
Smith & Cult Blackdrop Charcoal Brightening Primer ($32)
When blended into skin, the bamboo charcoal formula transforms from black-to-clear and leaves an invisible moisture-matte finish. Subtle black pearl micro-particles instantly brighten and illuminate the face for makeup-ready prep or simple out-the-door glow. Blackdrop blends seamlessly and instantly into all skin tones.
Schwarzkopf Got2b PhenoMENal Deep Cleansing Shampoo ($5)
Get ready to be phenomenally groomed with this charcoal shampoo that is specifically designed to remove any styling product build-up that’s causing damage to hair.
Unwash Charcoal Detox Scalp Scrub ($29)
This scrub has gentle cleansing agents and an exfoliating texture to refresh the scalp while protecting hair's integrity and color. It helps remove build-up and flakes, cleanses the scalp, and keeps it balanced with charcoal powder, while castor oil, coconut oil, and other herbal extracts such as peppermint, tea tree, ginger, and spearmint leave the scalp feeling refreshed and soothed.
[Images courtesy of brands]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk