Ingredient glossary
Charcoal Powder
INCI: Charcoal Powder · Also: Activated Charcoal
More hype than results
Does Charcoal Powder clash with what you already use? Check it →Popular on labels, but the evidence for what it actually does is thin. More marketing than muscle.
What it does
- adsorption
- oil control
weak evidenceSafety assessments conclude activated charcoal is generally safe as used in cosmetics but note that efficacy claims rest mainly on adsorption properties rather than controlled outcome trials.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- combo
Approach with care
- very dry
- compromised barrier
- sensitive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
Plays well with
- clays
- surfactants
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.