How activated charcoal is conquering the world
For centuries, activated charcoal was known as an emergency remedy for poisoning, until it suddenly took the cosmetics market by storm as an all-round beauty miracle. From food and drink to facial care and dental care – there is now a black version of almost everything.
What is activated charcoal?
This natural product is obtained from coconut shells or wood and is so interesting to the beauty industry because of its detoxifying effect. Activated charcoal has a very porous structure – similar to a sponge – and that is exactly how it works: thanks to its internal cavities, its overall surface area is enormous, which is why activated charcoal is able to attract harmful substances and bind them to itself.
Activated charcoal: possible uses
Because of activated charcoal’s impressive ability to bind harmful substances, it is used especially in creams and masks.
- A cream with activated charcoal attracts sebum and bacteria and removes dirt from the surface of the skin. It is particularly suitable for oily skin, which looks younger and more radiant after use.
- An activated charcoal scrub is ideal for deep cleansing and frees the pores from dirt particles. Sea salt or brown sugar is often included in scrubs to support this effect, providing a gentle massage and removing dead skin cells.
- Face masks help to regenerate the pores and restore their firmness. In this way, activated charcoal not only helps to achieve perfectly cleansed skin, but also acts as an anti-ageing treatment. Simply apply once a week, leave on for about 10 minutes and rinse off thoroughly.
- Activated charcoal also has a positive effect in shampoo. It attracts harmful trace elements and minerals like a magnet and removes them from the surface of the hair. This cleanses the hair right down to its depths and gives it shine and volume.
- Using it on the teeth is a wonderfully natural alternative to conventional bleaching. Particles that can cause discolouration are absorbed and deposits are removed. All of this works without attacking the tooth enamel.
PS: Do not be put off by the colour of the products when using them! It may take a little getting used to brushing your teeth with black powder, but activated charcoal is a pure natural product and works much more gently than chemical alternatives.
Activated charcoal in interiors
MÖVE is now using activated charcoal in an entirely new way – for a stylish bathroom collection. The combination of charcoal and terry fabric makes the “MÖVE CHARCOAL” collection an innovation that brings beauty and interiors together. The activated charcoal gives the products their unique grey-white mélange tone and lends the bathroom a classic and harmonious touch. The positive properties of charcoal – in this case bamboo charcoal – are integrated into the fibres as a component.
By drying off or wrapping yourself in a soft towel or bathrobe, your skin is treated to a cleansing detox ritual. That is why the products in the “MÖVE CHARCOAL” collection are also the ideal companion for sport, as the physical binding of harmful substances and bacteria gives the products odour-absorbing and antibacterial properties. These properties are retained even after washing and drying; the charcoal is immediately active and ready for use again afterwards.