Common Name(s): Charcoal extract,charcoal extract,activated carbon/charcoal,pore adsorption anti-pollution active

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Adsorbs sebum, pm2.5 particulate pollution, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pah), heavy metals, and pore-clogging debris through activated carbon's extraordinary surface area — physically removing environmental pollutants from skin in cleansing applications.

Why It's Used: Activated charcoal's 500-2000 m²/g surface area provides more active adsorption surface per gram than any other skin care ingredient — the high surface area enabling significant pollutant capture even at the brief contact times typical of cleansing applications.

How It Works: Activated charcoal: non-specific physical adsorption through van der waals forces and pi-pi stacking on the aromatic carbon surface. adsorption selectivity: highest affinity for aromatic compounds (pah, dioxins — pi-pi stacking), heavy metals (chelation at oxygen surface groups), lipids (van der waals). pore size (micro: <2 nm; meso: 2-50 nm) determines the size range of adsorbed molecules.

Typically Found In: Deep cleansing,anti-pollution,detox skin care

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Charcoal rinse-off safety: activated charcoal is inert and non-absorbable — it passes through skin contact without penetrating the sc, making it safe for cleansing applications. the 'detox' action is purely physical adsorption during contact time, not biochemical.

Last Verified: 2026-03-22

Primary Sources: Cosing database,charcoal extract activated carbon anti-pollution adsorption review