Part 7/12:

Medical and cosmetic industry experts agree that without substantial clinical trials, claims that charcoal deep cleans, detoxifies, or modulates sebum levels on skin remain unsubstantiated. Many brands include charcoal as part of their formulations mainly for marketing allure, capitalizing on its detox vibe and striking appearance.

The cosmetic retailer Lush, which has been incorporating activated charcoal into products for over two decades, states that its use aids in excess oil reduction, deep cleansing, and exfoliation—but emphasizes that charcoal is combined with other ingredients to achieve these effects. The real question remains whether the charcoal itself contributes significantly to these benefits, or if it’s the other ingredients doing the heavy lifting.