 You could say I’ve always been a skincare fanatic.  I started using anti-wrinkle creams in my early twenties because I was concerned about getting wrinkles, and have always kept up with the latest skincare products.  I also felt that good skin was important so I never skimped on my products and spent lots of money on skincare lines like Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Philosophy.  This all changed this past year as I’ve taken a more natural, as well as frugal, strategy on my skincare routine and started making my own products.  I’ve been really happy with the results, so I thought I’d share my life-changing DIY Charcoal Facial Cleanser recipe with you today.
A few years ago, I was excited to receive a gift card for my birthday, and quickly booked a facial at a local salon. Â I had been having issues with my skin because it was going through a transition. Â My dry skin had become very oily and I wasn’t sure what to do next. Â The lady told me my skin was congested, so she did a treatment and some extractions on my skin. Â Next, she suggested I try a line of products created for acne-prone skin, so after some research I took her advice and bought the trial kit.
I can not express to you in words what a  HUGE mistake this was for me.  The products zapped all moisture from my skin, so my skin reacted by producing more oil, which resulted into a big oily mess.  It took me a while to figure out the cause because everyone told me my skin was purging itself.  This was devastating for me, and I tried everything I could to clear up my skin.  Even the BB cream I was using just trapped oil in all day, so when I washed my face at night it felt like an oil slick.  That’s when I started doing some research.
I decided to try a more natural approach to my skincare routine. Â This was a big adjustment for me since I was used to doing chemical peels and slathering on AHA lotions, but I’m so glad I made the change. Â It took a few weeks, but my skin cleared up tremendously. Â I now wash my face morning and night with homemade cleansers, followed with a homemade toner, and I moisturize with grapeseed oil. Â I will tell you more about these on the blog later, but today I’m focusing on my favorite. Â It’s an easy DIY charcoal facial cleanser made with coconut oil. Â This cleanser is supposed to be similar to Lush’s Coalface Cleanser, but since I haven’t tried it I can not support that claim. Â I just know that it works for me!
For this cleanser you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of Organic Coconut Oil
- 6 Activated Charcoal Capsules or 1 1/2 tsp of Activated Charcoal Powder
- 2 Tablespoons of Pure Baking Soda
- 5 Drops of Lavender Oil
- 5 Drops of Rosemary Oil
Directions:
The first step is to break open the charcoal tablets. Â This can be messy because the power spreads easily, so be careful! Â I gently pulled the capsules apart with my fingers and emptied them into a small container. Â You can find activated charcoal at health stores or pharmacies like The Vitamin Shoppe. Charcoal has been known to purge the skin of impurities and helps clear up blemishes.
Next, mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and charcoal powder together in a small bowl.  It is best for the coconut oil to be in a liquid state before mixing.  Do you know the benefits of coconut oil for your skin?  It is super hydrating and is also great at removing makeup. The baking soda in the recipe acts as a mild exfoliant.
Now, add the essential oils and mix well. Once everything is mixed up properly, pour it into a container of your choice.
This DIY charcoal facial cleanser works on the oil cleansing method, so don’t be scared if your skin is oily. Â This will actually help it! Â To use, just use a warm, wet washcloth to moisten your face. Â Next, massage a small amount all over your skin. Â Don’t worry, this removes makeup, too! Â I leave mine on for a few minutes, just so it seeps in and really gets to work. Â Then use your washcloth to remove the cleanser from your skin. Â This will leave your skin moisturized, so you can stop here if you’d like. Â I usually use a toner and moisturize afterward since I’m obsessed with skincare…remember?
So far I’ve been really happy with the results of this cleanser. Â Now I just get the normal monthly hormonal breakouts, but they are very minimal compared to what I was used to! Â I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, and will consider trying a natural skincare routine. Â Do some research like I did, and I guarantee you’ll think twice about using some of your current products after looking at their ingredients. Â If you decide to give this DIY charcoal facial cleanser a try, let me know your thoughts. Â I always love to hear from my readers. Â Thanks so much for stopping by!
Can I use regular charcoal for my ace scrub
No, you will need the activated charcoal pills. Regular charcoal may have chemicals added to it that would be unhealthy for your body and skin.
What if I have a tub of activated charcoal I ordered from Amazon to do a charcoal mask? Isn’t activated charcoal the same whether it’s in capsules or not?
Yes, it is the same. It’s just packaged differently.
What is the measurement for the charcoal of it’s not in capsules?
6 capsules equals about 1 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal powder.
What’s the shelf life of the scrub? Do you even use it to remove your eye makeup?
No, I wouldn’t use this to remove eye makeup. It is slightly abrasive due to the baking soda. I would use pure coconut oil to remove my eye makeup before using this scrub. As far as the shelf life, none of the ingredients are perishable, so use it until you’re done with it, then make another batch. I kept mine in the shower and it stayed fresh until the jar was gone.
Are you using daily? I’m needing an alternative to the chemical filled acne washes I use everyday!
Yes, you can use it daily. I noticed an improvement in my blemishes when I started using this instead of the harmful over the counter face washes. I hope you do, too!
Is there an alternative to the coconut oil? Coconut oil really clings my pores.
I haven’t tried a substitution. Changing the oil would change the consistency of the cleanser since the coconut oil thickens it up since it hardens. You could always give it a try with another oil like olive or jojoba oil to see if you like it, though.
How about honey instead of a oil
Honey is a great natural ingredient to help your skin and I have used it as a cleanser alone, but I’ve never actually tried adding charcoal to it. It would be a great experiment to try!
the charcoal is rather expensive on amazon.com … would the scrub work with just the coconut+essential oil and baking soda?
The scrub would still work without the charcoal, you just won’t get the added skin purging benefits of the charcoal.
I’ve loved charcoal-based soaps in the past, which led me to this site. Just mixed up a batch, and can’t wait to try it!
Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Thanks for stopping by to give it a try!
is it ok to use trader joes cold pressed and unrefined virgin coconut oil
Yes, I’ve used Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil in the past. Good luck!
Ok thanks so much!
This sounds great! Since coconut oil hardens, is it relatively easy to scoop out the amount you need while in the shower? Or should you do that beforehand?
I haven’t had trouble with scooping it out while in the shower. In the winter it tends to get harder than it does throughout the summer months, but I can use my fingernail to scoop it out and once I rub my hands together it melts easily. The heat from my shower helps, too! 🙂
I have activated charcoal but it is not capsules. How much loose powder is in this recipe?
Hi, Karrie, I haven’t measured the activated charcoal when I’ve made the cleanser. The capsules I use are 280 mg each. Next time I made a batch I will measure using my teaspoons and update the recipe. Thanks for asking!
Hey there! So I just made a batch of this cleanser and I’ve only used it for a few days…….so far I like using it but I guess I’m wondering how long did it take for u to notice results? Also, I made a coconut moisturize as well. Would that b ok to use after I cleans?
Just like any cleansing routine, it may take awhile before you get ultimate results. Sometimes your skin has to adjust and the charcoal will definitely be purging your pores of any icky stuff. I like to use grapeseed oil as a moisturizer because my skin is more on the combination side and coconut oil is too thick for me to use daily as a moisturizer. I’d say give it a try to see how your skin reacts and you can always make a change if needed.
Ok thank you so much. Actually, my face has Been breaking out even more but I guess the charcoal is doing what u said, “purging” out all the icky stuff out of my pores. I also have combination skin too…..I will give grape seed oil a try. Thanks for your reply!!!
Hi. I’m going to try this out, but It’s usually so hard to for me to get the ingredient required.. My budget is really tight.
I used to use the Neutrogena face wash, but lately I’ve been breaking out after using it. Thanks so much for the recipe! You are a live saver. I was wondering, do you recommend anything for extra dry skin as well?
Thanks! xoxo
~Cece
Can i use virgin coconut oil?
Yes, that will work.
hi.. i cant wait to try it out but can i use peppermint essential or tea tree oil instead of rosemary oil?
Feel free to substitute whichever oils you would like for your skin type. Enjoy!
If you already have dry skin I wouldn’t recommend too much tea tree oil. It does have antiseptic properties though which can also be a benefit with acne.
Hi, I have really dry skin around my nose, oily skin on my forehead and chin and normal every where else. I’ve noticed discoloration on my forehead and little bumps. Do you think this can help me get rid of those annoying little non-red bumps and discoloration?
Charcoal purges the skin of impurities, so there’s a chance it could help with bumps if they’re caused by clogged pores. You can always give it a try and discontinue use if it doesn’t work.
How often can it be used?
I’ve used it every day in the past, but you’ll have to decide for yourself based on your skin’s needs.
I can’t wait to give this a try! I am not happy at all with the shape my skin is in with drug store face cleansers. My pores are large and clogged with gunk. Thank you for posting this all natural cleanser!
Hello, just wondering if the essential oils are beneficial, and if they’re necessary to use in this?
The essential oils are beneficial because of the properties they provide but you could try it without them. It would still work to purify and purge your skin.
I have activated charcoal I bought on Amazon for my teeth. How much do you think 6 capsules are approximately? 1 Teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon? Thanks so much for this recipe and I can’t wait to try it tonight!
I believe it would be closer to a tsp but I’m not sure. I know my capsules are 250 mg each. I hope that helps!
250mg is roughly 1/20 tsp if my calculations are correct. But in saying that, mine doesn’t look as charcoaly as shown in your photo so maybe I’m wrong about the amount!!???
6 capsules equals about 1 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal powder. That’s why yours doesn’t look the same. I’ve changed the recipe to include the measurement for powder, too. Good luck!
Since activated charcoal works by absorbing toxins, etc in the pores of the charcoal, will leaving it in solution with the oils and everything still make it effective? Wouldn’t the charcoal become “saturated” with the other ingredients before it can even make it to your skin?
Hi Jenn, I’m no scientist or skin expert, but you do raise a good question. I can tell you by my experience with this cleanser that I feel the charcoal still works properly when mixed with the other ingredients. There are many skincare products on the market today that that include charcoal an ingredient, so I imagine they would agree. Thank you for your question!
Just thought I would double check but by purging you meet that my skin would break out before clearing up?
Yes, that’s correct. Just hang in there and it will get better!
Okay so I have these charcoal bars, I have used them once before and they worked great, they are nothing like regular charcoal do you think it is okay to use them?
It’s really hard for me to say since I don’t know the ingredients in the charcoal bars you have. However, I am certain the recipe works well with activated charcoal.
How you made your homemade toner ?
Thanks 😊
You can find my simple toner recipe here: https://www.sparklesofsunshine.com/how-i-made-my-own-facial-toner-in-minutes/
does moisturizing with oil work better than actual moisturizer? i’ve never tried but i also am beginning to have combo skin (i read though some comments) and i’m willing to do whatever’s best for my skin 🙂
The reason I switched to oil for moisturizing is because I knew it was pure, without added chemicals. It’s worth giving it a try to see if it helps your skin in the case that chemicals are drying out or clogging your pores.
I’m going to try this tonight! Thanks so much for this very well laid out information!
Good luck, and thanks for looking!
Christie
Is this good for super dry skin?! Or do you have something better you suggest for that? Thank you!!
If you have super dry skin this could dry it out due to its purging properties. I would suggest washing your face with oatmeal. Check out this post:
https://www.sparklesofsunshine.com/the-surprising-all-natural-facial-cleanser/
Hi. How long is the mix shelf life? If I have leftovers.
I keep mine until I use it all and have never had a problem with it going bad.
What do you use for sunscreen?
Hi Monique,
The mineral makeup I use has sunscreen in it so I don’t have to worry about sunscreen.
Thanks,
Christie
has anyone listed an estimated time for purging? I have a 16 yr. old that is going to balk at it “gets worse before it gets better” I felt if I could give her an estimated time before she sees results this transition might go easier.
I think it would be different for each person, but I would say a few weeks at least.
Hi Christie,
Thanks so much for this cleanser recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
I have also been super fanatic about skincare and products, and after spending huge amounts in the best marketed products I am going natural.
This is after I gave birth to my son, my skin condition was so worse. I tried everything possible on the planet 🙂 however I guess we have to just give time and trust these natural elixirs.
Mine is an oily skin with a few scars and yes pores. I strongly this face cleanser is going to help me get better skin. Thinking of using tea tree oil too.
I’ll keep you posted.
Lots of glow to you . Thanks a bunch.
My son is 17 and has bad acne. I have been doing research on home remedies and came across your page. I was wondering, I have made bath scrubs using sugar, coconut oil, essentials oil and vitamin E, they work great, so if I were to combine charcoal, coconut oil, baking soda and vitamin E would that work just as well as your recipe. I know you said the essential oils are a moisturizer but I know vitamin E is awesome for your skin.
I think Vitamin E could be an excellent addition to this recipe. I would definitely give it a try and see what happens. Keep me posted!
I’m very excited to try this! After I wash my face, I use a 1:1 ratio DIY toner of apple cider vinegar and water and I find my skin is very dry afterwards (especially in my harsh, freezing Candian winters). What moisturizer do you recommend??
I like to use grapeseed oil as a natural moisturizer for my skin. It doesn’t get much easier than slathering on a little bit of oil after my skincare routine!
I don’t have essential oils, will it work without oils?
The recipe should work without essential oils. Essential oils simply enhance the benefits of the cleanser.
I’ve got a jar of activated charcoal.. how much charcoal in tsp is in each capsule?
6 capsules equals about 1 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal powder.