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Powdered Plant Charcoal
Commonly known as:
Charcoal Powder (I.N.C.I.), Black carbon powder, Activated carbon powder, Carbon A.
Botanical name:
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Extraction process:
Calcination of peat, followed by activation under high temperatures by steam, grinding and purification.
Family:
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Part of the plant extracted:
Peat (organic matter fossilized by micro-organisms formed by the accumulation of plant debris over long periods of time in a humid environment with low oxygen content).
Location:
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Flowering:
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Provenance, origin:
Japan.
Phytochemical composition:
Carbonaceous matter, humic substances.
Sensorial properties:
Appearance: dry powder with fine grains and earthy texture; Color: black; Odor: neutral.
Physical characteristics:
Average particle size: ≈ 4 μm; Highly hydrophobic; Density: 3.5 - 5.5; Water and oil insoluble material; Specific surface area (adsorption capacity): 700 - 1,200 m2/g; Specific gravity: 200 - 600 kg/m3; Dosage: From 1% to 20% as active.
Benefits:
Adsorbent, absorbent, deodorant, exfoliant, detoxifier, purifier, coloring agent.
Concerns:
All skin types, especially skin subjected to pollution, stress, smoking, blemishes and mixed to oily skin; All hair types, especially oily hair.
Details
Use
Face care (exfoliants, purifying masks, cleansers, patches, make-up removers); Hygiene (toothpastes, mouthwashes, deodorants, solid soaps); Hair care (purifying shampoos); Make-up (mascaras, eyebrow powders, compact powders, eye shadows, pencils).
Preservation
Store away from moisture, light and heat.
Contra-Indications and Precautions
Charcoal powder has no contraindications. It can be used by pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, as well as young children.
Nevertheless, it is a pulverulent product: do not use it near a source of ventilation, avoid inhaling it. Keep out of reach of children. Only used in rinse-off products except for make-up.
Find out more
Plant charcoal has been known since antiquity for its strong absorption capacity. The Egyptians used it for water purification and Hippocrates for its medicinal properties. It is a hydrophobic material that does not absorb water, but will capture the micropollutants and impurities present on the surface of the skin. It mattifies the skin and cleanses it deeply for a healthy and purified skin. In addition, it gives an intense black color to the product, it can be used simply as a natural black coloring. Charcoal is said to be "active" when it has been treated to have micro-orifices that increases the surface available for adsorption. This porous surface has a negative electrical charge with which positively charged toxins, impurities, dirt, excess sebum, pollutants can be binded.
