Activated Charcoal Soap? As part of my green journey, I’ve found that beauty products hide a lot of chemicals that are not only compounding and toxic for people, but every day millions of these chemicals are then washed down our drains and enter the water supply. This may not seem like a big deal, but research shows that many of these toxins are too small to be filtered out, so they remain in our drinking water and slowly poison our streams, lakes, and oceans. This makes replacing beauty products with eco-friendly alternatives an important part of living a green lifestyle.
That brings us back to activated charcoal soap. Washing is necessary, but most facial cleansers contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose and a lot of other chemicals we can hardly pronounce, but bar soaps including activated charcoal soap can be very effective, have great benefits, and can be made with very simple, earth-friendly ingredients.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Charcoal is wood or other high carbon content material burnt at high-temperatures without oxygen. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been treated or “activated” with oxygen to open the carbon atoms, making it highly absorbent. It then attracts and traps impurities within its carbon pores and becomes beneficial for health and beauty.
What is Activated Charcoal Used For?
For almost two centuries, it has been used for everything from air filters and water purification to reducing gastrointestinal issues and poison control. All of the things that makes it good for purification and medicine also makes it great for skin care.
Activated Charcoal Soap
When made into soap with skin soothing and hydrating oils like olive, coconut, and sunflower, activated charcoal has a few wonderful benefits making it my favorite, most frequently used facial cleanser.
The soap is very soothing, detoxifying, and a great green alternative to traditional facial soaps. It is good for all skin types and is gentle enough for daily use.
What are the Benefits of Activated Charcoal Soap?
- Helps Balance Oily Skin
Those carbon pores soak up extra oils and leave your face more balanced and smooth.
- Clears and Deep Cleans Skin
In addition to oils, it absorbs impurities, toxins, and dead cells while clearing pores.
- Gently Exfoliates
With just a little bit of texture, it gently scrubs, attracts, then washes away dead skin cells. Making it good for sensitive skin too.
- Removes Toxins and May Help with Acne
By deep cleansing our skin and removing dead cells, it may help with acne over time, especially if you find acne-specific treatments too harsh for your skin.
- It’s a Healthier, Greener Cleanser
When you make it yourself or buy it from a good source, activated charcoal soap is a wonderful natural alternative. You can completely avoid all of the chemical fragrances, parabens, and alcohols found in most store options.
Make Your Own Activated Charcoal Soap or Buy It Already Made?
If you’re a DIY-er who already makes soap, you can definitely make your own activated charcoal soap. You can quickly find great blog posts and videos to help you, but unless you’re already experienced with the lye process, please be very cautious.
Here are a couple of helpful DIY posts and videos:
- Recipe & Video: Oh, The Things We’ll Make
- Detailed Charcoal & Clay Facial Soap Recipe: Wellness Mama

Poofy Organics AC soap is made with 5 simple ingredients.
Buying Activated Charcoal Soap
If you’re like me and don’t have the time or money to invest in soap making right now, there are some really great hand-made options available. A simple Google search will bring up a ton of options, but since I don’t know the makers well, I prefer to buy mine from Poofy Organics.
Unlike Etsy shops and Amazon, I know I can trust that Poofy Organics soap is made with simple, sustainably sourced ingredients. You can see all the ingredients HERE.
With all of these great benefits, if you haven’t tried it yet, I hope you will either make up a batch this weekend or put it on your shopping list. Skip the tongue-tying long chemical list and get yourself some nice, earth-friendly soap!
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