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Charcoal
AKA “Carbon Nanotube, Elemental Carbon, Carbon, Vitreous, Carbon 12, SUPERSORBON S1, RefChem:66979, DTXCID407391”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Charcoal
AKA: Carbon Nanotube, Elemental Carbon, Carbon, Vitreous, Carbon 12, SUPERSORBON S1, RefChem:66979, DTXCID407391
Synthetic · Abrasive · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Charcoal
Synthetic
Clean
Charcoal helps deep clean and purify by drawing out impurities and oil. It gently exfoliates while giving products a rich, dark color.
Solubility Solubility in water: none
Formula
C
Mol. Weight
12.01
CAS #
16291-96-6, 7440-44-0
Form
Powder
State
Carbon, activated is a black grains that have been treated to improve absorptive ability. May heat spontaneously if not properly cooled after manufacture.
See origin →
Functions
Abrasive
Absorbent
Opacifying
Physical Exfoliant
Absorbs Excess Oil
Adds Opacity
Wound Healing
Brightens Skin
Gently polishes surface
Creates creamy opacity
Traditional Use
Activated charcoal has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to absorb impurities, though modern skincare use became popular in the early 2000s. Ancient cultures used charcoal medicinally for internal and external applications, and it was rediscovered in contemporary cosmetics for pore-cleansing and detoxification claims.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Imp...
Abdullah A Alangari, Matin D Ashoori, Wisam Alwan, Hannah R Dawe, Brigitta Stockinger, Jonathan N Barker + 2 more
Pharmacological research, 2023
→
Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Imp...
Abdullah A Alangari, Matin D Ashoori, Wisam Alwan, Hannah R Dawe, Brigitta Stockinger, Jonathan N Barker + 2 more
Pharmacological research, 2023
→
Mesoporous magnesium carbonate for use in powder cosmetics.
Bamford E, Grahn A, Århammar C, Ajaxon I, Annerén C
International journal of cosmetic science, 2021
→
Safety Assessment of Hydrofluorocarbon 152a as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2022
→
Effect of whitening toothpastes and activated charcoal powder on enamel wear and surface roughness.
Carneiro BT, Kury M, Lopes JC, Gonçalves RS, Suzuki TYU et al.
Brazilian oral research, 2023
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Carbonate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Sodium Carbonate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Propylene Carbonate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Dialkyl Carbonates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Charcoal Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Re-review Summary of Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Carbonate Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Hydrofluorocarbon 152a as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Ammonium Bicarbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Ammonium Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Bis-Propylheptyl Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
C14-15 Dialkyl Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Calcium Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
charcoal powder
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Dimethyl Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Dipropyl Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Magnesium Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Bicarbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Propylene Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium Sesquicarbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zinc Carbonate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Safety and efficacy of a super critical carbon dioxide extract of Humulus lupulus L. flos when used as a feed flavouring for all animal species.
EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H et al.
EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2018
→
Activated Charcoal
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Ammonium Bicarbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Calcium Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Charcoal Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Magnesium Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Potassium Bicarbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Potassium Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Propylene Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Sodium Bicarbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Sodium Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Sodium Sesquicarbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zinc Carbonate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Germination and adhesion of fungal conidia on polycarbonate membranes and on apple fruit exposed to mycoactive acetate esters.
Filonow AB
Canadian journal of microbiology, 2003
→
Re-Review Summary of Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, and Sodium Bicarbonate as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Re-Review Summary of Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, and Sodium Bicarbonate as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis.
Furue M, Hashimoto-Hachiya A, Tsuji G
International journal of molecular sciences, 2019
→
Carbon disulfide
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Carbon tetrachloride
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
O-Alkyldithiocarbonic acids, salts of
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide over CeO2(X)-ZnO(1-X) nano-catalysts.
Kang KH, Joe W, Lee CH, Kim M, Kim DB et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2013
→
Comparative in vivo toxicity of topical JP-8 jet fuel and its individual hydrocarbon components: identification of tridecane and tetradecane as key co
Muhammad F, Monteiro-Riviere NA, Riviere JE
Toxicologic pathology, 2005
→
DNA adduct formation in human and mouse skin by mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Phillips DH, Schoket B, Hewer A, Grover PL
IARC scientific publications, 1990
→
Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face.
Nelson Sanchez, Rachel Fayne, Brandon Burroway
Clinics in dermatology, 2020
→
Co-pyrolysis of sunflower-oil cake with potassium carbonate and zinc oxide using plasma torch to produce bio-fuels.
Shie JL, Chang CC, Chang CY, Tzeng CC, Wu CY et al.
Bioresource technology, 2011
→
Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent: A systematic review of in vitro studies.
Tomás DBM, Pecci-Lloret MP, Guerrero-Gironés J
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft, 2023
→
Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a...
Dolores Bibiana Montero Tomás, María Pilar Pecci-Lloret, Julia Guerrero-Gironés
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft, 2023
→
Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a...
Dolores Bibiana Montero Tomás, María Pilar Pecci-Lloret, Julia Guerrero-Gironés
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft, 2023
→
Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a...
Dolores Bibiana Montero Tomás, María Pilar Pecci-Lloret, Julia Guerrero-Gironés
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft, 2023
→
Revealing new insights: Two-center evidence of microplastics in human vitreous humor and their implications for ocular health.
Zhong Y, Yang Y, Zhang L, Ma D, Wen K et al.
The Science of the total environment, 2024
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR
Charcoal — Duck Heart Ghost