Description

Charcoal Powder is a fine, black powder derived from the controlled burning of organic materials, such as wood, coconut shells, or peat, in a low-oxygen environment. This process, known as pyrolysis, results in the formation of activated charcoal, which is used for its absorbent and purifying properties in various cosmetic and personal care products.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Components:
Carbon: The primary element in charcoal, responsible for its adsorption properties.
Ash: Residual minerals left after the burning process.
Other Trace Elements: Depending on the source material, small amounts of other elements may be present.
Structure:
Molecules: Charcoal Powder consists of a network of porous carbon structures, which provide a large surface area for adsorption. This porous structure allows charcoal to trap impurities and toxins.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Fine, black powder.
Odor: Generally odorless.
Solubility: Insoluble in water and most solvents.
Texture: Powdery, can be gritty depending on the grind.

Production Process:

Source Material: Organic materials such as wood or coconut shells are selected and cleaned.
Pyrolysis: The material is heated in a low-oxygen environment to convert it into charcoal.
Activation: The charcoal is treated with steam or chemicals to create a highly porous structure, increasing its adsorptive capacity.
Milling: The activated charcoal is finely ground into a powder.

Applications:

Skin Care: Used in face masks, cleansers, and exfoliants to absorb impurities and excess oil, and to detoxify the skin.
Dental Care: Incorporated into toothpaste and oral hygiene products for its purported ability to whiten teeth and remove stains.
Hair Care: Added to shampoos and conditioners to help cleanse the scalp and remove product buildup.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of charcoal production includes deforestation and air pollution from burning. Sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly practices can mitigate these effects.
Safety: Charcoal Powder is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Individuals allergic or with very sensitive skin should be cautious.

INCI:


Abrasive agent. It contains abrasive particles to remove stains or biofilm that accumulate on the stratum corneum or teeth. Baking soda, kieselguhr, silica and many others have abrasive properties. Peeling or exfoliating products used in dermatology or cosmetic applications contain abrasive agents in the form of synthetic microspheres, however, these microspheres, or abrasive particles may not be biodegradable and create pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Absorbent. Absorbs substances dispersed or dissolved in aqueous solutions, water/oil, oil/water.

Opacifying agent. It is useful into formulations that may be translucent or transparent to make them opaque and less permeable to light.
Synonyms:

CAS: 16291-96-6 7440-44-0 EC number 240-383-3