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Activated Charcoal
Charcoal Powder · Activated Carbon
High-surface-area carbon. Mostly cosmetic positioning; minimal evidence for facial-skin benefit.
What it does
Activated charcoal is a high-surface-area carbon used in water filtration and acute-poisoning treatment because of its strong adsorption of small molecules. As a topical face-product ingredient the realistic effect is limited — the 'pulling toxins from your skin' marketing doesn't match how skin biology works. Useful for visual positioning (the dramatic black mask aesthetic) more than measurable function. Generally not harmful; just not the active ingredient most charcoal masks suggest it is.
Pairs worth knowing
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
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