There’s just something about fall that invites a new onslaught of do-it-yourself projects. Rather than take over the garage by repainting and reupholstering old furniture, why not try something smaller and more beneficial? DIY beauty products are fun, easy, and can save you a ton of money at the drug store. Plus, if you add activated charcoal to your products, you can get the added benefits of enhancing and detoxifying your body. Read on to learn how to use activated charcoal in your DIY health and beauty products.
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What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal might just be the next “it” health and beauty ingredient. It’s one of the more unusual ingredients to join the cosmetics market in recent history; it’s made from ground-up coconut shells, wood, peat, olive pits, sawdust, and sometimes even bone char.
What makes it activated are the extremely high temperatures used to manufacture it. Activated charcoal shouldn’t be confused with the kind of charcoal that you use to barbecue. Activated charcoal is processed in a unique way to make it more porous.
It’s known for trapping toxins so they can’t be absorbed in your body. It has several health benefits on its own, but can significantly enhance health and beauty products that you can make right at home. Since it’s a fine powder, it can easily be added to almost any product.
>>Read on to learn how to use activated charcoal in various health and beauty products.<<
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
There are two different kinds of toothpaste you can make with activated charcoal. The more traditional option entails mixing coconut oil, stevia, a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil (or really, any flavor of your choosing), and activated charcoal. Mix all of the ingredients together and create a paste. Find a small glass jar with a lid and reuse it for your new handmade toothpaste.
You can also create your own tooth powder by mixing charcoal, baking soda, bentonite clay, stevia, and finely crushed mint leaves or cinnamon. Since this is a dry powder you need to sprinkle it onto a wet toothbrush to use. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container so it doesn’t get wet.
Activated Charcoal Hair Mask
It’s much easier to make hair masks than you might realize, and they can save you a ton of money.
A lot of people swear by a simple egg mask because it’s moisturizing and helps add shine. If you have oily hair you’ll only want to use the egg white, and if you have normal or dry hair use the whole egg. Mix the egg with a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice and mix until fluffy. Apply to all of your hair and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing out.
However, if you want to add both conditioning and detoxification you should try a spin on the classic yogurt and egg hair mask. Just mix two tablespoons of Greek yogurt (which is full of nutrients, fat, and protein), one egg, and a teaspoon of activated charcoal together until it’s creamy. Work the cream into your hair until it’s all moistened. Leave on for half an hour before washing out.
DIY Scalp Treatment
Masks are great for conditioning your hair, but they don’t do much good for conditioning your scalp. Even if you don’t suffer from dandruff, your scalp will still benefit from some extra moisturizing.
Make a paste from bentonite clay, activated charcoal, rose water, and peppermint essential oil. Apply the paste to your head, making sure to work it into your scalp. Leave it on for twenty minutes and then rinse out completely before washing as normal.
Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
Facial cleaners are another product that can get expensive. You can easily make your own facial cleanser by mixing
- 1 cup of organic coconut oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal powder
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 5 drops of pure lavender essential oil
It’s gentle enough to use both day and night. Make sure to keep this in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out.
You can also make a gentle facial scrub by mixing together pure cane sugar, extra virgin olive oil, and activated charcoal powder.
How to Use Activated Charcoal with Detoxifying Bath Salts
A hot bath at the end of a long day can be therapeutic on its own, but if you add some detoxifying bath salts you may be able to reap the benefits for a lot longer.
Mix together:
- 2 cups of Epsom salts
- 1 cup of bentonite clay
- 1 tablespoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal
Add all of the ingredients to a warm bath and stay in for at least 15 – 20 minutes. Let your worries fade away.
As you can see, there are many ways you can use activated charcoal in your health and beauty products, and the benefits are endless. Enjoy your time and treat yourself.
Author Bio:
Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in mental health. She loves to use what nature has given us to live a happier healthier life. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.
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