Joolia’s just asking:
There’s a product called Dr. Ci:Labo Basic Black Blemish Control Gel that uses charcoal to treat acne. Does it really help?
The Right Brain simply says:
It’s tough to find much information on this product, but according Dr. Ci:Labo’s website: “Charcoal and gentle botanical extracts in Blemish Control Gel help to prevent the problem of oily skin by removing excess sebum.” The company doesn’t seem to be making any direct claims about acne, but by calling the product “Blemish Control” they’re certainly implying it’s good for pimples!
What causes acne?
As you know if you read our post on the causes of acne, there are three different factors that cause your face to populated with pimples. Excess skin oil (sebum) production is one of the causes, but if just getting rid of oil could cure acne, all you’d have to do is wash your face. You also need to beat back the bacteria and regulate the speed at which your skin cells are sloughing off.
Can charcoal really help?
But back to Dr. Ci:Labo. Does charcoal really regulate skin oil? Highly unlikely. The idea that tiny charcoal sponges could soak up oil off your face and make it magically disappear is a bit hard to swallow. Besides, the oil level of your skin is self-regulating. Drying up the surface just triggers the layers beneath to produce more oil. And finally, we searched the technical literature and couldn’t find ANY mention of charcoal having any beneficial skin properties. But if anyone in the Beauty Brains’ community has any seen any references to this, let us know and we’ll look into them.
The Beauty Brains Bottom Line
Even if charcoal does have oil absorbing properties, that alone will not stop acne. This product may be a perfectly fine facial lotion but unless it contains a proven anti-acne ingredient, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, it won’t have any effect on zits.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
One thing that I’ve tried out (and that works pretty darn well, I might add) is dipping a Q-Tip in Hydrogen Peroxide and letting it sit on the zit for a minute or two. I’ve found that it takes down the swelling…
All other zit-busting products be damned! LOL!
There have been several products throughout the ages, and even on the market now (e.g. Origins line) that have contained charcoal. Carbon has been shown to have purification properties on odors and impurities for years (check out Wikipedia for a few). Asian cultures have been using it, usually derived from volcanic muds (since charcoal comes from wood), and often zinc maybe have been absorbed which is a proven acne agent. However, the caveat for most masks is that it’s best for super oily skin for the absorption issues.
I’ve tried charcoal products and they do nothing for me. I breakout on my face and back, and the only thing that clears my zits are vitamin c and pearl powder items.
Oh and sulfur.
The only natural, non chemical, non pharmaceuticals that help me personally.
I use Continuous C from Lancome and when breakouts are bad, will add 1000 mgs. I also have a vitamin C toner from Etude House that keeps my face in check.
Prior to that, it was a little stick white pearl powder eyeshadow that I used on my t zone and lips, which reverted the wrinkles and cleared out the zits and dried out the oil. The eyeshadow also reversed the little lines under my eyes which are kind of poofy….
But charcoal? Been there, done that, all it does it dry out my skin. It doesn’t heal pimples or kill bacteria, so if your acne is hormonal or genetic, just forget about it…