Purify: Three drugstore beauty products you need to try that use activated charcoal

Who would have thought that using charcoal in our beauty products would make a world of difference to our skin and hair?

In case you aren’t familiar with the purifier, activated charcoal has been a major buzzword for the past year and can been added in everything from face masks, toothpaste, to even cocktails.  Activated charcoal is a potent natural ingredient that is used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body, which allows them to then be flushed out so the body doesn’t reuse them. It works so well that one of its most popular uses is for the safe and effective treatment of poisoning and drug overdoses. It can also be used to reduce bloating and gas, lower cholesterol, and prevent hangovers (add some to your water).

The beauty world has been abuzz with the product for a while now, and I wanted to share three products that you can try out (all drugstore!) to incorporate this trend into your routine.

Physicians Formula Charcoal Detox Cleansing Stick

Physicians Formula Charcoal Detox Cleansing Stick

This cleanser in stick form (C$15.99 at London Drugs) provides you with a deep-pore cleanse thanks to its purifying charcoal.  Apply the stick to your face to draw out dirt, oil, and impurities, delivering a deep clean which leaves your skin smooth, soft, and clear.

When I first saw this I totally thought it would be similar to the Tarte Frixxtion Stick, however, they do have different ingredients in them.

Physicians Formula says to apply this product to your dry face then add water. I found this worked nicely since once you add water to the formula is suds up, thus providing you with a nice cleanser to wash your face. I did find that when I used my toner afterwards, there was some makeup remaining, but overall it cleansed my face well.

Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Black Charcoal shampoo and White Charcoal conditioner

Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Detox Black Charcoal Shampoo and White Charcoal Conditioner

I love Herbal Essences products, so when their new addition to the Bio:Renew showed up I couldn’t wait to give it a try. The Black Charcoal shampoo cleanses away toxins from your hair, while infusing it with lavender, juicy citrus, and cocoa.  Pair it with the White Charcoal Conditioner to restore hair’s softness and promote natural volume and shine.

Both products, when used together, detox hair to remove buildup. It’s also part of their Bio:Renew line, which includes a blend of active antioxidants, plus aloe and sea kelp. It is also made with 90 per cent natural-origin ingredients. The formula is colour-safe and pH-balanced with no parabens, silicones, gluten, mineral oil, or dye.

I thought originally that the shampoo would be a deep black, but it’s more like a clear formula with a dark tinge (the conditioner is just white). If you’re blonde like me, you don’t have to worry about your hair turning black or anything as it rinses out nicely. Overall, I really like how this made my hair look and feel (more-so feel); it was super soft and sleek.

L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Cleanser for Energizing & Brightening

L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Cleanser for Energizing & Brightening 

This one has been around for a while, so they were early to the game in terms of activated charcoal. This clay-to-mousse cleanser leaves skin feeling clean and fresh thanks to its three mineral clays and charcoal.

Although the formula is black, it washes off quite well and does a fantastic job of removing makeup.  It also suds up quickly, leaving skin looking radiant and energized. If you’re in the market for a new cleanser, I totally recommend this one. L’Oreal Paris also has a few other “flavours” of this cleanser, however, I love the black one due to it’s energizing properties.

There’s loads more products out there that use activated charcoal in their formulas (I previously reviewed a mask from Garnier as well with it), so it’s easy to find the right product for you if you want to try out the trend.

Have you tried any beauty products with activated charcoal in them?

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