Benefits of Activated Charcoal

by ALEXA

Learn about the health benefits of activated charcoal and a line of clarifying facial products to try if you struggle with oily or acne-prone skin.

Created for problem skin, Nubian Heritage Black Soap Mud Mask deep cleans pores, for the easy flushing away of toxins.


This post contains sponsored links from Nubian Heritage® as well as affiliate links from Amazon, which means that if you click on one of the product links in this post, Flo & Grace may receive a commission from purchases you make. In addition, Nubian Heritage supplied product to Flo & Grace in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are those of the editor(s) at Flo & Grace.


Relief in Times of Trouble

I became a believer in the health benefits of activated charcoal (carbon) some 20 years ago. A bunch of us had just set up camp along a crystal clear river in a remote corner of Washington State when my tummy began to rumble. Within hours, full gastric distress had set in.

Observing my agony, one of the girls in the group offered me a little black capsule of activated charcoal. Desperate, I didn’t even question what it was. I popped it down and within hours I was much relieved.

Amazing stuff!

Since then, I’ve kept a bottle of activated charcoal capsules in the bathroom vanity and reach for it when the kids come down with a tummy bug or one of us gets hit with a case of food poisoning.

What is Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal looks similar to common charcoal but is made especially for medicinal use. To produce “activated” charcoal, an organic substance like bamboo, cocoa pod or coconut husk is heated in the presence of a gas that causes the charcoal to develop many “pores.” These pores create more surface area to which toxins can adhere. When taken internally, activated charcoal is not absorbed, but rather passes through the digestive tract and out the body, carrying with it the toxins that have adhered to it.

Recently, activated charcoal’s use has gone beyond water filtration systems (it’s what’s in your Brita filter) and treatment of acute poisonings and overdoses. Today it is being used widely in the body care industry!

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Clarifying Products

Activated Charcoal in Body Care Products

Today you can find activated charcoal in everything from toothpaste to shampoo to facial cleansers and scrubs. And then there’s the DIY set that is making deodorant, eyeliner and even mascara with it—all with the intent of detoxifying the body and avoiding harmful chemicals.

One line of detoxifying and balancing products that we recently tried was Nubian Heritage’s African Black Soap. I would say this homeopathic line is suited for those with congested, oily and acne-prone skin. Being that my skin challenges fall in the “dry and aging” category, I asked our teen babysitter, Chrissy, to give the African Black Soap line a try.

Created for problem skin, Nubian Heritage Black Soap Mud Mask deep cleans pores, for the easy flushing away of toxins.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Bar

This is a bar I feel any skin type could benefit from. It is non-drying and develops a good lather. Though I did not use it on my face, Chrissy did and reported that she experienced some tingling when washing and that it left her skin smoother. In bar form, this soap will last you a long time. It is hydrating and the scent is quite pleasing.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Mud Mask

This mud mask is like a thin gray pudding and is especially fun to apply with a fan paint brush—a trick I learned from an Aveda esthetician friend. After using it for a couple of times a week, Chrissy noticed her pores looking clearer and smaller.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Targeted Exfoliant Spot Treatment

This little product comes in a handy tube with a unique spot applicator. Chrissy’s results with this product weren’t too favorable, but my husband’s were! He observed that it helped dry up blemishes for faster healing. The ingredients list includes Cocoa Pod Ash (activated charcoal), but you would never know it because the spot treatment is a clear gel.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Moisturizer

This moisturizer is thick and nourishing thanks to shea butter, mango butter and hemp seed oil. Again, the ingredients list includes Cocoa Pod Ash (activated charcoal), but you would never know it because the moisturizer itself is creamy white.

Give Nubian Heritage a Try

If you’d like to give Nubian Heritage products a try, check them out on Amazon or order direct from www.nubianheritage.com (some products are only available on their site).

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Clarifying Products

More Good Stuff

4 comments

Sarah Smith July 26, 2018 - 9:08 am

Thank you, this is so helpful for someone who struggles with acne

Reply
Alexa August 2, 2018 - 3:59 pm

Yes, Sarah, it’s worth a try 🙂

Reply
Monika August 16, 2018 - 10:52 am

Love learning about activated charcoal in beauty products!! Really helps in figuring out what kind of treatments my skin needs!

Reply
Gab August 16, 2018 - 1:02 pm

That spot treatment seems awesome.. Definitely will be giving it a try

Reply

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