What fun it is to make your own makeup and skincare. Mixing strange concoctions of vitamins and sugars or oils like a mad beauty scientist can be a great activity for a Girls' Night In.
Now that we are older and count doctors, organic Skincare brand owners/creators and highly educated beauty experts among our friends, our concoctions are even better.
So, let's talk about activated charcoal. You see masks made with it, skincare companies incorporating it into cleansers and so on. The product is inexpensive, multifunctional and incredibly effective in removing toxins (topically and internally) from the body.
So here are some ways to best use activated charcoal:
Face Mask:
Mix powdered Activated Charcoal
Rose Water (we love Nuxe)
An essential oil - Tea Tree for acne, Lavender for calming
Mix the ingredients together to make a paste, and just a drop or two of whichever oil you like for your skin. Let it dry completely before you wash it off and imagine all the toxins being pulled from your skin!!
Toothpaste:
Adding Charcoal to your toothpaste is a great way to get your teeth very clean and white. There are two ways you can do this - You can add it to the toothpaste on your toothbrush, or you can just brush the charcoal on with a drop of water. Both methods are great, the ladder a little more effective in removing plaque and for extra whitening!
Makeup:
You can also use charcoal to make an eyeshadow or an eyeliner! I have yet to try this but apparently it's very Cleopatra. If you add a tiny bit of water to your charcoal, you can brush it on with an eyeliner brush to get the perfect cat eye OR! you can use it as an eyeshadow if you're into that smokey-eye look.
Other Uses:
Charcoal is also recommended as a supplement and has incredible benefits - It helps to stabilize your mood, and give you more energy, it is great for jet lag, helpful when you're drinking alcohol and if you eat processed foods.
If you are on any medication, such as anti-depressants or otherwise- consult your doctor before taking as it may limit the effectiveness of said medications.