Activated carbon is a porous substance derived from organic material. For centuries, Japanese artisans burned plant matter to yield activated charcoal, renowned for its purifying properties.
With the right equipment, you can easily make a zero-waste version of this versatile, natural product, applying its restorative properties to everything from soap to makeup and deodorizers.
Step 1
- Select a dry, fibrous substance with plentiful pores. Peach pits are great because they’re in season.
- Fruit peels, nutshells, and husks are also good options.
- Traditional charcoal is derived from oak branches and other hardwoods.
Step 2.
- Pack material tightly in a small metal container (an old tiffin works nicely).
- Seal loosely or use a lid with a small ventilation hole in it.
- Place on an outdoor fire source to ensure adequate ventilation.
- Allow at least four hours for a proper char. Leave peach pits a little longer.
- Remove container from heat source and cool completely before opening.
Step 3.
- Use lemon juice to increase preliminary pore size.
- A good rule for measuring is two juiced lemons per peach pit.
- Mix one part lemon juice to four parts water.
- Add solution to container, completely submerging the charred material.
- Leave 24 hours.
Step 4.
- Drain container and rinse organic material of solution.
- Return to container and bake in oven at 120 degrees Celsius, at least three hours.
- Alternately, return to fire source for further refinement.
- Allow to cool before using.
- Try incorporating a few pinches of activated charcoal in your favorite olive oil soap, tooth powder, or facial mask.
Once You Switch To Activated Charcoal Cosmetics And You Will Love It
Ophthalmologists may roll their eyes when we say this, but we’ve been using homemade peach pit carbon as eyeliner a long time, and it seems non-irritating and safe.
Most people mix the carbon with coconut oil, which we prefer.
- Use avocado oil for the eyeliner if you can’t find bulk coconut oil.
- Try olive oil If you can’t use avocados.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal to two teaspoons coconut or jojoba oil and four teaspoons aloe vera.
- It takes forever to finish eyeliners, so make very small batches, 0.10 grams or so at a time, to ensure freshness.
- Reduce oil to one teaspoon and add 1 1/2 teaspoons melted carnuba wax for volumizing homemade mascara.