15 Best Esthetician-Approved Charcoal Face Washes Of 2024
Rinse out all the toxins off your face and feel fresh and rejuvenated once again.
Nichelle Temple is an NYC-based esthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio with over a decade of experience in microcurrent, HydraFacial, and holistic skin care treatments. She is passionate about using professional-grade and organic products as well as cutting-edge technology to help her clients experience instant and illuminating results.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
A charcoal face wash helps eliminate excessive oil, unclog the clogged pores, and remove whiteheads and blackheads to give you clearer skin. The best charcoal face wash is perfect for eliminating stubborn blackheads, smoothing the skin, and removing dirt or oil build-up. Charcoal face washes are infused with activated charcoal that helps to wipe out toxins, bacteria, and impurities. Furthermore, the face wash makes you feel fresh, rejuvenated, and dirt-free. Check out the ideal charcoal face washes tackling various skin care concerns that are available right now. Read on.
In This Article
How Does Charcoal Work?
Activated charcoal, also popularly known as activated carbon, is a fine black powder produced when ordinary charcoal is exposed to heat. It helps detoxify your skin, treat acne and pimples, and prevent future breakouts. This ingredient acts like a magnet and draws out all toxins, impurities, oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells from deep within the pores and makes your skin smooth and supple.
Let’s now check out the best charcoal face washes available online.
Best Charcoal Face Washes To Watch Out For
1. Best Overall: mamaearth Charcoal Face Wash
The mamaearth Charcoal Face Wash contains charcoal and clay that draw toxins and impurities like excess oil, dirt, and pollution. Clay helps exfoliate your skin and also has high absorptive quality to absorb excess oil from the pores.
This face wash also contains tea tree oil that penetrates the skin and absorbs the extra oil, while coffee eliminates dead skin cells and evens out the natural skin tone. This hypoallergenic face wash does not cause skin irritation. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for oily skin types. This all-in-one charcoal face wash is free of sulfates, SLS, mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, artificial preservatives, synthetic perfumes, and colors.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- SLS-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petroleum-free
- Paraben-free
- Preservative-free
- No synthetic perfumes and colors
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for oily skin
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
"This face wash is a potent formula. It deeply cleans the skin and provides a tingling sensation that does not irritate the skin. It keeps oiliness at bay and also helps reduce breakouts. It leaves the skin clear and refreshed."
2. Best Long-Lasting: WOW Activated Charcoal Face Wash
The WOW Activated Charcoal Face Wash penetrates the skin and removes impurities to clear clogged pores. It is packed with active charcoal beads and tea tree oil that have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. These ingredients help wash away the dead skin cells.
Aloe vera prevents dryness and boosts skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production. This face wash helps detoxify your skin and dissolve oil and dirt without stripping off your skin’s natural moisture. It helps reduce blemishes and fine lines and treats damaged skin caused by environmental stressors. This product is free of parabens and sulfates and has been dermatologically tested.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Long-lasting
Cons
- The skin might feel stretchy.
"This Wow face wash leaves my skin clean and oil-free. It has a strong fragrance, which I do not mind as it fades and doesn't seem to irritate my skin. It exfoliates the skin gently without causing dryness."
3. Best Clinically Tested: TruSkin Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash
The TruSkin Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash is packed with skin-soothing and organic ingredients. It contains nutrient-rich propolis, organic reishi, and astragalus root extracts that soothe the skin. The activated charcoal detoxifies and balances the skin, improving its overall health. The gentle formula also contains organic aloe vera and extracts of ylang-ylang, lavender, and cucumber. This skin-clarifying product is clinically tested and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
- Clinically tested
- Gentle formula
- Lightweight
- Clinically tested
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- None
| mamaearth Charcoal Face Wash Best Overall | WOW Activated Charcoal Face Wash Best Long-Lasting | TruSkin Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash Best Clinically Tested | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Oily | Acne Prone,Oily,Dry | - |
| Dimensions | - | - | 1.5 x 1.5 x 5.75 inches |
| Weight | - | - | 4 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 210 | 42 | 859 |
| Price | $7.99 | $11.95 | $15.99 |
4. Best Vegan: Passport To Organics Charcoal Cleanser
The Passport To Organics Charcoal Cleanser is filled with potent, organic ingredients that cleanse, detoxify, and revitalize your skin. This face wash is formulated with Moroccan argan oil that is rich in vitamin E and 80% fatty acids. It also contains black pepper, turmeric, neem, tea tree oil, and avocado that are rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. This cleanser helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and does not contain parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Eco-friendly
- Phthalate-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Might cause breakouts.
"I've been using this cleanser daily in my routine and loving the results. It pulls out gunk out of the pores without causing any irritation. It applies easily and rinses well."
Pro Tip5. Best For Oily Skin: Bioré Charcoal Acne Clearing Cleanser
Oily skin and acne are a match made in heaven. Not anymore! This charcoal face wash by Bioré is made especially for oily skin care. It gets rid of acne and blemishes on your face. It contains salicylic acid and is developed with an effective skin-purifying formula. It claims to eliminate acne in just two days and rid the skin of impurities of all kinds! If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Oil-free
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 8,116 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
6. Best For All Skin Types: Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser
It doesn’t matter if you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin – this charcoal cleanser by Boscia is an excellent product for all skin types. It not only clears all the dirt and oil from your face but also has a brightening effect on your skin. It claims to even out skin tone, tighten pores, and exfoliate dead skin cells. It contains Alpha Glucosyl Hesperidin (a compound found in the citrus peel), licorice root, artichoke leaf extracts, and glycolic acid for enhancing radiance. Here’s an honest review of people’s experience of the product.
Pros
- Contains vitamin C
- Free of parabens and phthalates
- Pore minimization
Cons
- None
7. Best With Natural Ingredients: Safe House Naturals Detox Face+Body Wash – BROKEN LINK
If you want an all-natural cleanser, you need to try out this one by Safe House Naturals. It is a completely organic face and body wash containing activated charcoal. It is formulated with a powerful blend of essential oils, bentonite clay, aloe vera, and coconut oil that exfoliates your skin and cleanses it thoroughly. It also has antifungal properties that help in calming down rashes and other skin issues.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- 100% vegan
- No parabens
- No artificial dyes and PABA
- No artificial fragrance
Cons
- None
"I love using this facial wash every day for my oily skin. It is quite potent at detoxifying my skin. It helps in reducing blemishes with consistent use."
8. Best Hypoallergenic: Detox All Natural Detoxifying Facial Wash
Besides activated charcoal, this Detox face wash contains triple-tea extracts. Both of these components work as natural exfoliators and antioxidants to protect your skin. It also has moisturizing properties that keep your skin hydrated. Moreover, it is a 100% natural product.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- None
9. Best For Blackheads: Oriental Botanics Activated Charcoal Bright Glow Face Wash
This face wash has a potent formula charged with vitamins B3, B5, C, and E. It keeps your skin protected against environmental aggressors and free radical damage. The facial cleanser effectively prevents blackheads and pimples by purifying your skin of excess oil that may clog your pores. The natural extracts in this face wash include licorice, green tea, mulberry, and orange flower which help give an optimum skin detox.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Silicon-free
Cons
- None
Quick Tip10. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser
Product Claims
This face wash claims to clear acne breakouts without harming your skin or drying it out. The two main active ingredients of this skin care product are charcoal and tomatoes. These two ingredients not only clear your skin but also calm it down. Nichelle Temple, an expert esthetician says, “Tomatoes contain vitamin C and lycopene, which can help protect and nourish skin. Tomatoes also contain astringent properties which can assist to control excess oil production.” Here’s a video that talks about the reviewer’s experience and provides a detailed look at the product.
Pros
- Contains salicylic acid
- Cruelty-free
- 97% natural products
- Contains jojoba extracts
- Acne-fighting and blackhead removal formula
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- None
11. Best For Supple Skin:Hanalei Charcoal Powder Face Cleanser
This face cleanser by Hanalei is a water-activated product. You need to pour it into your hand, add water, and rub both palms to create lather. It contains activated charcoal that eliminates dirt and impurities. It brightens your complexion without harming your skin. It contains essential amino acids and vitamins A, C, and E that protect your skin from free radical damage.
Pros
- pH-balanced
- No artificial dyes
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- SLS-free
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- None
"This facial cleanser is perfect for those like me with sensitive skin prone to acne. It offers mild exfoliation and leaves my skin clean. It smoothes the skin and keeps breakouts at bay."
12. Best Antioxidant-Rich:Chilogy Cleanse Charcoal Face Wash
Chilogy Cleanse Charcoal Face Wash is made of antioxidant-rich ingredients. It contains organic orange peel, sunflower oil, olive oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, and white and green tea extracts. These ingredients clear your skin, hydrate it, and rejuvenate skin cells. All of this keeps your skin looking plump and firm. A patch test is recommended.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben- and phthalates-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- None
13. Best For Fine Lines:Kiehl’s Age Defender Dual-Action Exfoliating Cleanser – – BROKEN LINK
This 2-in-1 face cleanser contains charcoal and Moroccan lava clay. It deeply exfoliates your skin, removes dead skin cells, reduces fine lines, and improves your skin texture. It can also be used as a face mask. Just leave it on your skin for 5 minutes and wash it off for deeper exfoliation.
Pros
- Soap-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- None
"This Kiehl's cleanser is a versatile product. It cleanses and exfoliates the skin gently. It smoothes the skin texture and eliminates dead skin cells."
14. Best For Daily Use:Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel
This facial cleanser by Clinique is excellent for daily use. It has a pore-cleansing and detoxifying formula that removes all traces of dirt and pollution from your skin. The charcoal present in the cleanser draws out all the impurities and excess sebum, leaving your skin refreshingly smooth.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- No artificial fragrance
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- None
"This cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive skin. It is gentle but effective at deeply cleaning the skin. It keeps the skin clear and does not cause any dryness or tighteness."
15. Best Clinically Proven:Derma E Purifying Gel Cleanser
This facial cleanser is perfect for daily use and gentle enough for sensitive skin. It unclogs pores and detoxifies your skin. Besides activated charcoal, it contains Japanese marine algae extracts. This ingredient is clinically proven to protect your skin from environmental damage.
Pros
- 100% vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- No phthalates, sulfates, and mineral oils
- Gluten-free
- GMO-free
- Dermatologist-recommended
Cons
- Leaves a slimy feeling on the face after washing
"This gel face wash cleanses the skin well. It is gentle and a savior for my sensitive skin. It can also remove light, every day makeup without causing breakouts or dryness."
Charcoal face wash is a one-stop solution that treats several oily skin issues along with other skin benefits. It eliminates impurities, toxins, and bacteria from your pores while restoring balance to your skin. The market is overflowing with charcoal face washes, so zeroing in on one is tricky. Therefore, remember our list of tips while choosing the best charcoal face wash to include in your skin care routine.
How To Choose the Best Charcoal Face Wash for You?
- Ingredients To Look For: Look for a charcoal face wash powered with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, sunflower oil, olive oil, aloe vera, and coconut oil to keep dry skin hydrated and moisturized. Pick formulas infused with essential oils and bentonite clay that have proven efficacy in exfoliating your skin thoroughly while calming down rashes. For oily skin, pick face washes containing green tea, peppermint oil, and orange peel to detoxify your skin.
- Ingredients To Avoid: Avoid face washes free of harsh ingredients that can dry out and irritate your skin and cause long-term damage. Chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, and artificial fragrances turn your skin brittle and dull. Additionally, stay away from face washes enriched with sulfates. They strip away the essential moisture from your skin while cleansing the dirt. Read the label to ensure it is hypoallergenic and toxin-free.
- Formula: Foam cleansers effectively remove excess oils from your pores, but they can be overly drying if overused. If you have sensitive skin, stick to gel cleansers that are hydrating and gentler on the skin. You can also choose foaming gels to gain both benefits in one formula.
- Additional Benefits: Choose a charcoal face wash that offers additional benefits like protection from free radical damage. The presence of essential amino acids and vitamins A, C, and E offer antioxidant properties to the face washes. You can also pick a formula that doubles up as a body wash.
- Price: Price is an essential factor when selecting a face wash. Since you will be using it daily, go for affordable brands with quality ingredients. Avoid buying cheap products as they contain harsh chemicals that damage your skin in the long run.
Not many of us are aware of the innumerable benefits of charcoal in skin care. Check out the advantages of using charcoal for your face in the following section.
Benefits Of Using Charcoal For Your Skin
- Removes Dirt And Impurities From Your Skin: Activated charcoal helps pull out bacteria and toxins from the skin. A charcoal face wash eliminates all the impurities and makes your skin clear and even-toned. Deep cleansing facials with charcoal also help get rid of dead skin cells and other impurities.
- Minimizes Acne And Pimples: External pollutants cause a buildup of dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria that clog your pores. This, in turn, leads to acne and pimples. It might also cause skin inflammation, redness, and irritation. Activated charcoal has antibacterial properties that lift the dirt and acne-causing bacteria from your pores and is commonly used for acne treatment purposes.
- Soothes Insect Bites: Charcoal also helps treat insect bites. Insect bites and stings cause swelling and itching. Charcoal neutralizes the toxins of the insect’s venom by taking the sting out of a bite.
- Brightens Your Skin: Charcoal helps lighten blemishes and reduces oiliness, pigmentation, and tanning, keeping your skin even-toned.
To use a charcoal face mask the right way, follow the easy and simple steps mentioned below.
How To Use A Charcoal Face Wash
- Dampen Your Face With Water: Splash lukewarm water onto your face, giving your charcoal face wash a slightly damp surface to work on.
- Apply The Cleanser: Squeeze the required amount of your favorite charcoal cleanser onto your fingertips to prep for application. Apply the cleanser in gentle, circular motions all over your face.
- Rinse And Pat Dry: Rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a towel.
- Apply A Serum: Apply a vitamin C serum for that extra glow. This helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brings out the inner radiance.
- Apply A Moisturizer: To revive the moisture of your skin after the cleansing process, apply a moisturizer.
Though charcoal face washes are beneficial for your skin, they might have some side effects. Let’s look at the following section to know what the adverse effects of a charcoal face wash can be.
Are Charcoal Face Washes Safe To Use?
Most charcoal-based products are not suitable for sensitive skin types. Charcoal can become abrasive when combined with other ingredients. Hence, choose a charcoal product that is best suited for your skin type to reduce the risk of any side effects. Check the ingredients list and ensure that your skin is not allergic to any of them.
Infographic: Key Ingredients That Complement Charcoal Face Washes
Charcoal has amazing exfoliating properties that reduce oil production and help get rid of those pesky blackheads that never seem to disappear from your face. Using a charcoal face wash daily helps you address these concerns and preps your skin for other skin care products. These face wash formulas also employ the complementary benefits of other skin care ingredients to ensure the good health of your skin. Check out the infographic below to learn about these ingredients that enhance the results of your charcoal face washes.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Excessive oil produced by the skin can cause clogging of the pores and lead to blackheads. The best charcoal face washes contain activated charcoal, which helps in removing the oil, toxins, and dirt from the pores and smoothens your skin texture. For example, the mamaearth Charcoal Face Wash is a popular choice for its natural ingredients that absorb excess oil, while the Bioré Charcoal Acne Clearing Cleanser is known for combating breakouts and purifying the skin, and the Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel offers a gentle yet effective daily cleansing experience that removes impurities and leaves the skin refreshed. These face washes rejuvenate the skin and make your face look fresh and dirt-free. They are paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. However, some charcoal products can be rough on the skin, so it is always advised to check closely before you use them on your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does charcoal lighten the skin?
Yes, charcoal has skin lightening properties. It exfoliates the skin and helps treat hyperpigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, and blemishes.
Does a charcoal face wash help fight acne?
Yes, a charcoal face wash helps fight acne. Charcoal absorbs toxins and eliminates excess oil and stubborn dirt from your skin, which helps clear acne.
How often should I use a charcoal face wash?
For visible results, you can apply a charcoal face wash once or twice a week if you have sensitive skin. Otherwise, you can use it every alternate day for the best results.
Is a charcoal face wash suitable for oily or dry skin?
A charcoal face wash is suitable for oily skin. It draws out impurities like oil, dirt, sweat, and makeup from your face. This face wash also deep cleanses your pores and prevents excess sebum buildup, dead skin cells, and oil.
Can face wash remove pimples?
Yes. Face washes with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties gently exfoliate the skin and draw out the dirt or grime that develops bumps on the face. Therefore, a face wash is effective in treating and eliminating pimples.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach who loves writing comprehensive articles on all things beauty. She advocates the importance of using charcoal face washes because they offer an effective way to eliminate excessive oil, unclog the pores, remove whiteheads and blackheads. Her list includes some of the best charcoal face washes that she picked after going through thousands of trustworthy user reviews online. She recommends these products because they are infused with activated charcoal that helps to wipe out toxins, bacteria, and impurities from the facial skin.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.