If you read my previous Beauty Ingredient Breakdown post on charcoal, then you know you can use it for your skin and you can also ingest it for detoxification purposes. But did you know you can also use it to deep clean your hair and scalp?
Image source: Shutterstock
Apparently so, according to amazing celebrity stylist, author and SheaMoisture beauty ambassador Diane C. Bailey:
“Charcoal has been a well-kept beauty secret for years, as it draws oil, dirt and toxins from scalp and hair due to its absorption powers. Because it’s a natural multi-tasker, I use products with charcoal on my clients to purify and deep cleanse, while removing product buildup. It also aids in exfoliating a dry, flaky scalp and reducing greasy, oily strands, without stripping hair of its natural oils,” she says.
I’m currently trying out SheaMoisture’s African Water Mint & Ginger line, which includes activated charcoal as an ingredient. If you’re looking out for it in stores, there’s a bar soap, a bubble bath & body wash, as well as a shampoo, conditioner, Detox & Refresh Scalp Elixir, Leave In Detangler and more! So far it’s awesome – moisturizing and refreshing.
I love the idea of using products that already include charcoal, but can you add activate charcoal to existing product? Can you cocktail with charcoal? What about making a hair mask? Diane suggested this recipe for naturalistas looking to try new methods of deep cleaning their hair:
“You can enhance your shampoo or hair mask with activated charcoal to help draw out toxins and impurities. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon to the shampoo or mask you’re applying, work into your scalp and through hair, and then rinse thoroughly. It won’t leave residue and will help volumize hair. If your strands are blonde or bleached, I recommend using it with a pre-shampoo only for 2-3 minutes, then shampooing out, to avoid it darkening your hair.” Thanks, Diane! Can’t wait to try this myself!
You can find SheaMoisture’s African Water Mint & Ginger line at CVS – just look for the green label.
Have you tried charcoal for your hair yet? Let me know your thoughts and experiences if you have!
Worth trying!
When i see such type of blog it makes me very happy. Its high time now we have to to think about Nature and our Planet and we have go green as much as we can. We now have to use green and nature products. All the toxic products that are there in the market contains chemicals which is directly or indirectly effecting our Health and Nature. The post is very well written. Thanks for sharing.
Bravo for your positive mood blog!
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Activated charcoal is being used in cleanses to detoxify and re-energize; is it … It’s all-natural and won’t add new chemicals to your skin and hair when you use it.
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Definitely going to try this now. 🙂
Hope all goes well!
I’ve heard about this before but wasn’t sure if I should try it or not. You gave a lot of great info here, thanks!
I’ve never tried charcoal infused products, but now I understand why I should – thanks!
Hey Patrice,
Great post on using charcoal for hair detox and cleansing.
Charcoal is indeed a great addition to your hair care regimen that doesn’t cost a lot but can do wonders for detoxing and cleansing natural hair. I usually add activated charcoal powder to DIY Argan Shampoo this shampoo or a clay detox I use once a month.
I prefer using it with clay detox though if I don’t have time, I add it with my shampoo as a quickie!
Lily
Is it possible to use add this into an overnight mask?