How is charcoal produced?
The black color leaves no doubt: the detox tukiki facial cleanser contains vegetable charcoal. But apart from its characteristic tint, what do we know about this material? It is a product of natural origin that is obtained from the flameless combustion of different types of wood (bamboo, willow, birch, poplar) and the waste of nuts such as coconut or walnuts. It has been produced since ancient times, heating up these materials to very high temperatures without flame, therefore with little presence of oxygen, simulating in practice what in nature happens to fallen timber which, between rock substrates and soil, over the years turns into coal.
The activated charcoal used in cosmetics and medicine, on the other hand, is subjected to a second combustion, again flameless but with the presence of water vapor. It is precisely the humidity that activates the charcoal, giving it those features of porosity and absorbency that make it so effective for many uses. The pure activated charcoal produced this way is sold and used everywhere, in particular in the eastern countries that have always known and appreciated its qualities.
It is a versatile ingredient, used in different areas: not only medicine and cosmetics but also food and other industries. It is also used, for example, for water purification: would you have ever said that?
The benefits of activated charcoal for the skin
The main quality of vegetable charcoal is to absorb many substances with which it comes into contact. Chemically speaking, it can bind to certain substances, transporting them with its granular particles. It is therefore a very powerful natural filter and it is free of negative side effects. If we talk about leather and therefore, in detail, also about the plastic-free tukiki facial cleanser, vegetable charcoal allows to remove toxins, impurities, dirt and the excess sebum produced by our epidermis.
Its ability to remove skin impurities is also combined with less aggression than other natural astringents. It has a natural disinfectant and antibacterial effect that prevents irritations and infections even in the presence of acne, pimples and boils. Another advantage of this ingredient should not be underestimated: a light scrub effect when used in the form of soap, as in our case.
In addition, it does not stain and leaves no traces on the skin, despite its intense and slightly threatening color. Also, after its use, you will end up with a visibly purer, cleaner, smoother and more opaque skin.
Vegetable charcoal in oral hygiene
Also for the tukiki eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush we used vegetable charcoal bristles to exploit the benefits for oral hygiene: on our teeth, in fact, this substance increases the friction capacity of the bristles, thus removing more dirt, but it has also an advantageous disinfectant effect, eliminating impurities that are harmful to the oral cavity and detrimental for our breath!
Activated charcoal and food use
Its ability to absorb and eliminate other substances also applies to its use as a food supplement: in the digestive system it binds to toxins that are both harmful and useless for our body and it helps to decrease gas production. You’ll be surprised to know that it is able to catalyze even heavy metals such as copper and mercury, which are really dangerous for our body. For this reason, it is used in shock therapies against poisoning and intoxications. More trivially, it is indicated for those who want to decrease abdominal swelling and show an enviable flat stomach.
It is also used as a supplement to promote weight loss because it can bind not only to toxic and therefore harmful substances but also to normal nutrients. So it can, obviously under medical supervision and in moderation, limit the absorption of calories.
Another recent use of activated charcoal is acting as a food colourant to give dark shades to smoothies and, for example, baked goods.
Side effects of vegetable charcoal
You will be pleased to know that there are no side effects to its cosmetic and therefore topical use. So you can use our tukiki detox face cleanser without fear! Regarding its food application, however, although it is a well-tolerated product in general, it should be taken in moderation and, given its ability to limit the absorption of other substances, not in conjunction with medicines.