Charcoal Powder

Charcoal powder finds numerous applications in beauty products. What sounds unusual at first glance, but actually offers many advantages. On the one hand, it is charcoal, which in principle should not be compared with the familiar charcoal for use on a classic barbecue. Charcoal can serve as a starting material, but also peat, lignite and hard coal, kernels from olives or coconut shells and bamboo. The manufacturing process for charcoal powder commonly used in cosmetics is very complex.  Charcoal powder consists of about 90 percent carbon and has a porous structure that strongly resembles a sponge. Bamboo charcoal is also playing an increasingly important role in cosmetics. This is a by-product of the extraction of bamboo vinegar. The surface of this product is also extremely large-pored, and the valuable ingredients of bamboo are largely retained during extraction. These positive properties are also reflected in the approval as a food additive E153.

 Production process of charcoal powder

Two processes are common for the production of charcoal powder. In gas activation, one takes coked material and exposes it to a gas stream of steam, carbon dioxide, air or the mixtures at 700-1000°C. The charcoal is partially burned and the carbon is then used in the production process. The carbon partially burns and a highly porous, highly active carbon skeleton is formed.

Chemical activation involves mixing uncarbonized material with dehydrating and oxidizing chemicals. This mash is then heated at 400-800°C. Zinc chloride, sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid can be used as activating materials, which are completely recovered afterwards.

Wide range of applications

Charcoal powder is also used in medicine, food industry, chemistry, water and waste water treatment, among others. Everyone comes into daily contact with products that have been previously purified by carbon:

– purification and decolorization of kerosenes, enzymes, glycerin, waxes, organic acids

– decolorization and deodorization of gelatin

– purification and decolorization of sugar solutions, starch products, edible oils and fats

– decolorization of soup seasonings and glutamate

– purification and deodorization of fruit juices, extracts, wines, beers

Charcoal powder in cosmetics

Charcoal powder, obtained from charcoal, is often found in masks, scrubs, deodorants and other products. Since charcoal has strong absorbent properties, these ingredients can be used to cleanse the skin quite thoroughly. Charcoal attracts environmental pollutants, sebum deposits, dirt and bacteria like a magnet, making it easy to remove these pollutants from the surface of the skin. The principle is similar for face masks, peelings and remedies against skin impurities and pimples, as well as for deodorants. Meanwhile, charcoal is even used in dental care products. The extremely fine microparticles are able to gently rub off discoloration from the teeth. Fortunately, cosmetic products containing charcoal are very skin-friendly, as no side effects or disadvantages are known to date. Experience has also shown that allergies are extremely rare. Caution: However, this only applies to external use. Charcoal should rarely be used internally, as minerals, vitamins and other important substances are absorbed along with the liquid. It should also be noted that peelings with charcoal in particular do not have an unlimited shelf life and can become rancid after a certain time. By the way, the ecological balance of charcoal or carbon is extremely good.

In Asian countries, charcoal powder is particularly popular for soap. It cleanses the skin gently and carefully, but at the same time gives it a lot of moisture, because this soap contains other valuable ingredients such as rice milk or coconut oil.

Effect of carbon

Carbon adsorbs other substances. Adsorption is a physical process of attachment to the surface of another substance. Due to its huge surface area of 500-1500 m²/g, carbon can adsorb extreme amounts of other substances. In this process, attractive forces in the molecular range become effective, the so-called Van der Waals forces. In this case, the carbon is the adsorbent and the adsorbing substances are called adsorptives. Since this is a purely physical process, this adsorption is also reversible.

Substances adsorb better on carbon, the higher the

– the molecular weight

– the number of functional groups (double bonds, halogens)

– polarity of the molecule

This is also the reason why unwanted by-products or colored substances can be eliminated so well with charcoal. The perfect substance for thorough facial cleansing.

Fact Sheet Charcoal

INCI: Charcoal Powder

Alternative name: activated carbon; charcoal, bamboo charcoal, black carbon

CAS number: 716291-96-6; 16291-96-6

EC number: 240-383-3

Solubility: insoluble in water, organic solvents and oils

Stability: insensitive to high shear forces, high temperatures and pH values

Description: excellent adsorption properties so that minerals, minerals, toxins, impurities and other harmful substances are absorbed from the skin

Fields of application: Cleansing of oily and acne-prone skin types, deodorizing, moisturizing products

We like to work with these carbon raw materials:

Sophisticated cosmetics with carbon

Charcoal powder is playing an increasingly important role in modern cosmetics. And this is a good thing, because whether charcoal or bamboo charcoal, the substances convince with numerous positive properties and prove their effectiveness again and again. Prejudices are therefore completely out of place here, health- and beauty-conscious consumers can trust products with charcoal without hesitation. However, it is important that the respective product does not contain any harmful or chemical additives, as the intolerance can then no longer be guaranteed. Basically, charcoal powder is a real enrichment in cosmetics.

Cosmacon will be happy to develop appropriate formulations with charcoal for you according to your wishes.

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