Activated Charcoal

INCI Name

Charcoal Powder

Botanical Name

None (derived from carbonized plant matter; not plant-specific)

Activated charcoal (INCI Charcoal Powder) is a carbon-rich, plant‑derived powder produced by pyrolysis. Used as an abrasive, absorbent, and opacifying agent to deeply cleanse and remove impurities; best suited across all skin types. While generally safe for topical use, it may irritate sensitive skin, and claims around exfoliation, anti-aging, or whitening are not strongly supported by evidence.

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Primary Function
Botanical Extract
Add'l Function
Abrasive/Exfoliant
Scent Profile
Odorless
Is It Natural?
Naturally Derived (Processed)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Baby/Child Safe
Considered Safe for Babies
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Abrasive, absorbent, opacifying

Product Type(s):

Scrub
Cleanser
Exfoliator
Mask

Typical Usage Range:

Not specified (typical cosmetic use as abrasive/absorbent)

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Supportive Qualities

Deep cleansing, impurity removal, mattifying

Primary Components:

Carbonaceous materials

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Important to Know

May irritate sensitive skin, ingestion can adsorb nutrients or medications, limited efficacy in whitening claims

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Pyrolysis of plant-derived organic material

Prefer plant-derived sources (e.g., coconut shell or wood)

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.