The Benefits of Activated Charcoal Skincare Products
If you've been living under a rock the past few years, you may have missed the sudden surge in activated charcoal skincare products. From face scrubs, to bar soap, and pretty much everything in between; activated charcoal is taking over. But what exactly is activated charcoal? And what makes it "activated"? What is activated charcoal? Activated charcoal is a fine, black, odorless powder made from heating carbon-rich materials, such as wood, peat, and coconut shells, to very high temperatures. During this process, the resulting charcoal is infused with oxygen, making it very porous . This high level of porosity is a much desired characteristic, and is where the moniker "activated" comes from. The history of activated charcoal The first recorded use of activated charcoal dates back to 3750 B.C. when Egyptians used it for smelting ores to create bronze. It wasn't until 1500 B.C. that Egyptians began taking advantage of it's porous n