What Is Charcoal Soap and Is It Worth Trying?
Ellie NicolaouWhat Is Charcoal Soap and Is It Worth Trying?
Charcoal soap has become one of the most popular products in the natural skin care world. But what does activated charcoal actually do in a soap, and does it live up to the hype? Here's an honest guide.
⚕️ Important Note
This article is for general information only. Charcoal soap is a cleanser, not a treatment for acne, oily skin, or any other skin condition. If you have specific skin concerns, consult your dermatologist. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- Charcoal soap is a bar soap that contains activated charcoal, a fine black powder made from carbon-rich materials like coconut shells or bamboo
- Activated charcoal is widely used in water filtration and medical settings for its ability to bind to certain substances
- In soap, charcoal adds a deep cleansing element, many people find it effective at removing surface build-up and excess oil
- It gives soap its distinctive black colour and a slightly different feel compared to regular bar soap
- Scientific evidence for specific skin claims is limited, charcoal soap is best understood as a thorough cleanser, not a skin treatment
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is not the same as the charcoal briquettes you'd use for a barbecue. It's a fine, black, odourless powder made by heating carbon-rich materials, typically coconut shells, bamboo, or hardwood, to very high temperatures. This process creates a highly porous structure with a massive surface area relative to its size.
This structure is what makes activated charcoal useful. The processing creates an enormous surface area relative to its size, which gives activated charcoal its ability to bind to (adsorb) certain substances. This property has made activated charcoal widely used in water filtration systems, emergency medicine (for certain types of poisoning), and air purification.
In the skin care world, activated charcoal has been incorporated into soaps, face masks, toothpaste, and cleansers based on the idea that the same binding properties that work in filtration might help draw out impurities from the skin during washing. The extent to which this actually happens during a short wash is debated, but the popularity of charcoal in skin care continues to grow.
What Does Charcoal Soap Actually Do?
Let's be honest about what charcoal soap does, and what it doesn't, based on what we actually know:
Thorough Cleansing
Charcoal soap provides a deep cleansing experience. The activated charcoal particles add a gentle texture to the soap and many people find that their skin feels particularly clean after use. Whether this is the charcoal specifically or the soap formulation overall is hard to separate, but the result is a noticeably thorough wash.
Oil Absorption
Activated charcoal is known for its ability to absorb oil. In soap form, this may help remove excess surface oil more effectively than a regular bar. Many people with oily or combination skin find charcoal soap leaves their skin feeling balanced, not stripped, but not oily either. Individual results vary.
Distinctive Appearance
There's no getting around it, charcoal soap is striking. The deep black colour comes from the activated charcoal itself and makes for an eye-catching bar. The colour rinses away cleanly and won't stain your skin, tub, or towels.
Natural Ingredient
Activated charcoal is derived from natural sources (typically coconut shell) and is chemical-free in itself. It adds function to the soap without adding synthetic compounds. In our charcoal soaps, it sits alongside the same natural goat milk soap base used across our entire range.
Charcoal soap is a thorough cleanser with a distinctive character. It's not magic, but for people who enjoy a deep-clean feel and appreciate the unique look and texture, it's a worthwhile addition to your routine.
What Charcoal Soap Doesn't Do
There are many claims made about charcoal soap online. It's important to separate what's plausible from what's exaggerated:
It Doesn't "Detoxify" Your Skin
The concept of "detoxifying" through soap is not supported by dermatological science. Your liver and kidneys handle detoxification, not your cleanser. Charcoal soap cleans your skin. It doesn't pull toxins from your body.
It Doesn't Treat Acne
While charcoal soap may help remove excess surface oil (which can contribute to breakouts), it is not a treatment for acne. Acne is a complex condition influenced by hormones, bacteria, genetics, and many other factors. If you have acne, a dermatologist can prescribe appropriate treatments. Charcoal soap can be part of a cleansing routine, but it shouldn't replace medical advice.
It Doesn't Work the Same for Everyone
Skin is complex and deeply individual. What makes one person's skin feel great may not work for another. Charcoal soap is generally well-tolerated, but some people with very dry skin may find it too drying. A patch test is always recommended when trying a new product, and consulting your dermatologist is the safest approach if you have specific skin concerns.
Who Might Enjoy Charcoal Soap?
People Who Prefer a Deep-Clean Feel
If you enjoy the sensation of your skin feeling particularly clean and fresh after washing, not just washed, but deeply cleansed, charcoal soap delivers that experience. The activated charcoal adds a dimension to the cleansing that regular soap doesn't.
People with Oily or Combination Skin
The oil-absorbing properties of activated charcoal may be particularly appreciated by people whose skin tends toward oily. Many people with oily or combination skin find that charcoal soap leaves their skin feeling more balanced than regular soap. If you have very dry skin, a gentler option like our regular goat milk soap may be more comfortable.
People Who Like Something Different
Let's be honest, part of the appeal of charcoal soap is that it's interesting. The black colour, the slight texture from the charcoal particles, the knowledge that you're washing with something unusual. For people who enjoy variety in their bathroom products, charcoal soap adds something different to the rotation.
People Looking for a Gift with Visual Impact
A black soap bar is visually striking. Charcoal soap makes a memorable gift, it stands out, looks interesting, and sparks conversation. Paired with other products from our range, it makes an eye-catching addition to a gift set.
How to Use Charcoal Soap
Use It Like Any Bar Soap
There's no special technique. Wet the bar, lather between your hands or on a washcloth, apply to wet skin, and rinse. The black lather is normal, it comes from the charcoal and rinses away completely. Your skin, towels, and bathtub will not be stained.
Start with 2-3 Times Per Week
Because charcoal soap is a more thorough cleanser, some people find daily use slightly drying, particularly if they have naturally dry skin. Starting with 2-3 times per week and alternating with a regular goat milk soap on other days is a good approach. If your skin responds well, you can increase frequency.
Moisturise Afterwards
As with any cleanser, applying moisturiser after washing helps lock in hydration. This is especially worth noting with charcoal soap, since the thorough cleansing may remove slightly more surface oil than a gentler soap.
Patch Test First
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, do a patch test on your inner wrist before using charcoal soap on your face or body. Wait 24 hours to check for any reaction. As with all products, individual responses vary.
What's in Our Charcoal Soap?
Our charcoal soaps use the same goat milk soap base as our entire range, goat milk, natural oils (olive, coconut), fragrance oil, and skin-safe colour, with the addition of activated charcoal. The result is a bar that cleans deeply while still benefiting from the gentle, moisturising properties of the goat milk soap base.
No SLS, no parabens, no synthetic dyes, no harsh detergents. The activated charcoal provides the dark colour naturally, no artificial colourants needed. Every bar is handmade in Melbourne in small batches.
Charcoal Soap vs Regular Soap , How They Compare
Cleansing Depth
Charcoal soap provides a more thorough cleanse than regular goat milk soap. Regular soap is gentle and moisturising, charcoal soap adds a deeper cleansing element on top of that foundation. Both clean effectively; charcoal soap just goes a bit further in removing surface build-up and excess oil.
Feel After Washing
Regular goat milk soap leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable. Charcoal soap leaves skin feeling clean and fresh, still comfortable (thanks to the goat milk base), but with a more "reset" feeling. Neither should leave skin feeling tight or stripped.
Best For
Regular goat milk soap is the gentle everyday option, suitable for all skin types, daily use, face and body. Charcoal soap is the deeper-clean option, particularly good for oily or combination skin, or for days when you want a more thorough wash. Many people keep both and alternate based on their needs.
Our Charcoal Soap Range
We make 2 handmade charcoal soap varieties in Melbourne, both using our goat milk soap base with activated charcoal. They share the same deep-cleansing properties with different scent profiles.
Browse our charcoal soaps alongside our full Goat Milk Soap collection (12 scents), Exfoliating Soap collection (12 varieties), and Whipped Soap collection. For bath time products, explore our bath bombs, shower steamers, and bath salts.
Deep Clean. Natural Charcoal.
Activated charcoal in a goat milk soap base. Handmade in Melbourne. No SLS, no synthetic dyes.
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