Life Desk :
Activated charcoal has been in the limelight, mainly because of its ability to flush out toxins and other poisons from the body.
But who knew that one day, this humble ingredient would become popular in beauty and health products! Today, it is being used as a key ingredient in almost everything – from pills, supplements and detox juices to soaps and even your good ol’ toothpaste. No wonder actors like Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley are endorsing it.
But what exactly is activated charcoal? “It is just like normal charcoal but in an activated form. For activation, the charcoal is heated on gas, till it becomes dry and porous and after that, it is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The whole benefit of activation is that it increases the surface area of charcoal, and makes it useful in absorbing pus, toxins and other impurities,” says dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel.
As part of your beauty arsenal: You can now add a scrub, soap, face wash, polishing mask or pore minimiser, which are rich in activated charcoal to your beauty kit. The carbon in these products acts like a magnet, attracting and absorbing dirt and oil. When dirt and oil in your pores come in contact with the carbon, they stick to it and get washed away when you rinse. It unclogs pores, removes impurities and dead skin cells. This gives supple and smooth skin, and also prevents body odour.
In juices and cocktails: Forget green juices, health enthusiasts are opting for charcoal-based concoctions that help detoxify the body. “Since it flushes out toxins, it helps in weight loss. Due to its highly absorbable properties, activated charcoal wonderfully cleanses the intestines,” says Dr Atul Peters, surgeon at a Mumbai-based hospital. Some bars are also experimenting by adding activated charcoal-infused cocktails to their menus. It provides a shocking black colour, without altering the flavour of the drink.
For those pearly whites: You can also incorporate this ingredient in your regular brushing routine. Many brands have come out with toothpastes and gum powders that are rich in activated carbon. They help remove surface stains, tartar off the teeth and whiten them. If you don’t like the idea of using black paste, there are toothbrush brands that have introduced brushes, where the bristles are infused with activated charcoal. These help fight bad breath and prevent bacteria from growing on the brush. -Internet
Activated charcoal has been in the limelight, mainly because of its ability to flush out toxins and other poisons from the body.
But who knew that one day, this humble ingredient would become popular in beauty and health products! Today, it is being used as a key ingredient in almost everything – from pills, supplements and detox juices to soaps and even your good ol’ toothpaste. No wonder actors like Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley are endorsing it.
But what exactly is activated charcoal? “It is just like normal charcoal but in an activated form. For activation, the charcoal is heated on gas, till it becomes dry and porous and after that, it is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The whole benefit of activation is that it increases the surface area of charcoal, and makes it useful in absorbing pus, toxins and other impurities,” says dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel.
As part of your beauty arsenal: You can now add a scrub, soap, face wash, polishing mask or pore minimiser, which are rich in activated charcoal to your beauty kit. The carbon in these products acts like a magnet, attracting and absorbing dirt and oil. When dirt and oil in your pores come in contact with the carbon, they stick to it and get washed away when you rinse. It unclogs pores, removes impurities and dead skin cells. This gives supple and smooth skin, and also prevents body odour.
In juices and cocktails: Forget green juices, health enthusiasts are opting for charcoal-based concoctions that help detoxify the body. “Since it flushes out toxins, it helps in weight loss. Due to its highly absorbable properties, activated charcoal wonderfully cleanses the intestines,” says Dr Atul Peters, surgeon at a Mumbai-based hospital. Some bars are also experimenting by adding activated charcoal-infused cocktails to their menus. It provides a shocking black colour, without altering the flavour of the drink.
For those pearly whites: You can also incorporate this ingredient in your regular brushing routine. Many brands have come out with toothpastes and gum powders that are rich in activated carbon. They help remove surface stains, tartar off the teeth and whiten them. If you don’t like the idea of using black paste, there are toothbrush brands that have introduced brushes, where the bristles are infused with activated charcoal. These help fight bad breath and prevent bacteria from growing on the brush. -Internet
