Overview | What is a Charcoal Facial | Benefits of Facial | How charcoal facial is different from other facials | Ideal Candidates | Important Notes | Steps to follow after the facial | How often should you get a charcoal facial?| Aftercare Maintenance Tips | Side Effects of Charcoal Facial | Cost of Charcoal Facial in Mumbai | How long these facials usually last | Steps to follow after the facial | At-home vs. In-clinic Charcoal Facial | FAQs
Lately, many beauty experts and brands have been recognizing the amazing benefits of charcoal for skin. Nowadays, charcoal facials are used as a popular charcoal treatment for face to help patients achieve glowing, detoxified, and rejuvenated skin.
At The Bombay Skin Clinic, our dermatology team explains when a charcoal facial is appropriate, what benefits and limitations to expect, and how it fits into a personalized treatment plan.
Interested in knowing more? Let’s begin
What is a charcoal facial?
A charcoal facial is a facial that uses activated charcoal for skin as the prime and active ingredient. Activated charcoal is a fine black powder that is created when common charcoal is exposed to high heat. The heat produces small internal holes or spaces in the charcoal to make it very absorbent so that it can trap toxins and chemicals.
As per the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians, activated charcoal is commonly recommended for the treatment of chemical ingestion. So, it is safe-to-use. Since people today are looking for products that contain fewer chemicals and are non-toxic to the skin, they are opting for charcoal facials. Dermatologists often recommend activated charcoal on the face because of its strong detoxifying properties.. Charcoal helps to absorb toxins from the skin and successfully extract all dirt from facial pores. However, when you get a charcoal facial done, the charcoal powder used for the facial has to be a safe and pure quality and not have other added ingredients.
Benefits of getting this facial
There are many charcoal mask benefits and advantages of charcoal facials that your skin can reap, such as:
- Improves acne: Activated charcoal for skin care can lift bacteria and oil from pores, removing build-up that may cause acne.This helps to reduce the skin condition and improve overall skin complexion.
- Treats insect bites: Charcoal can help take the sting out of an insect bite by neutralizing the insect venom toxins.
- Removes skin impurities: Activated charcoal benefits for skin include absorbing toxins and bacteria, helping detox and draw impurities away for a clearer complexion, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information. So, it can also help draw impurities away from the skin, leading to a clearer, healthier complexion.
It can also help exfoliate the skin, remove blackheads, minimize pores, and tighten your skin.
How a charcoal facial is different from other facials
Other types of facials, like fruit facials or gold facials, help to rejuvenate the skin by replenishing its certain nutrients and vitamins. Thus, they deliver a healing treatment to the skin to make it healthier from within. On the other hand, a charcoal facial does not get absorbed by the skin but instead pulls out impurities, oil, and dirt. . It does not deliver nutrients. Instead, it helps to draw out and remove impurities from the skin’s surface to reveal its natural and beautiful complexion.
Ideal candidates for a charcoal facial
Any man or woman is a good candidate for a charcoal facial. If you wish to have glowing, clear skin in just a matter of moments, this facial is for you. It helps to get less oily skin and detox your face in no time. However, if you have any known allergies to charcoal, let the dermatologist know about it.
Important notes to remember before getting this facial
As mentioned earlier, do note that some people may be allergic to charcoal, as noted by the Natural Medicine Journal, or to certain ingredients in a charcoal facial. So, you should disclose your medical history to your dermatologist, as low-quality products may cause charcoal mask side effects like redness, irritation, or allergic reactions.
Steps involved in a facial
At The Bombay Skin Clinic we have a very advanced charcoal facial, also called a carbon peel and has four steps.
Cleanse and exfoliate: We cleanse the skin with a cleansing milk and gently exfoliate with hydradermabrasion to remove surface oil and dead cells.
Apply activated charcoal: A medical-grade charcoal mask is applied, for oily skin, a thicker layer is applied; for normal skin, a thin layer is applied and left for ~10 minutes to settle into the pores.
Q-switched laser pass: We pass a Q-switched laser over the skin. The laser energy helps dislodge the charcoal sitting inside the pores, lifting out impurities and refining pore appearance and texture.
Finish and protect: The residue is cleansed off, the skin is soothed, and sunscreen is applied.
Results: clearer pores, smoother texture, and a fresher-looking complexion.
How often should you get a charcoal facial?
Some suggest doing a charcoal facial once or twice a week, but dermatologists recommend a safe schedule based on skin type. Whether charcoal suits your skin depends on sensitivity and oil balance. However, we recommend that if your skin is sensitive or if you think it turns dry after such a facial, you should only go for it once every couple of weeks. Our dermatologists will be able to examine your skin and advise the best frequency for your individual skin needs.
Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
Proper care after a charcoal treatment for face ensures your skin stays healthy and glowing. Following these simple steps will maximize the charcoal benefits for skin and help results last longer:
- Apply sunscreen daily – After a charcoal facial, your skin may be more sensitive to the sun. Protect it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent damage and pigmentation.
- Avoid scrubbing or harsh exfoliants for 3–4 days – Since activated charcoal for skin already deep cleanses and exfoliates, over-scrubbing can cause irritation and dryness.
- Use mild cleansers and hydrating moisturizers – Gentle skincare helps maintain the charcoal mask benefits, keeping your skin soft, clear, and refreshed.
- Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water supports detox and enhances the benefits of charcoal facial by keeping your skin barrier healthy and radiant.
Side Effects of Charcoal Facial
While dermatologist-supervised facials are generally safe, it is important to understand possible charcoal mask side effects:
- Dryness or flaking – This is common with DIY masks, as they may strip natural oils.
- Irritation or redness – Sensitive skin may react to activated charcoal for face, especially if applied too frequently.
- Allergic reactions – Rare but possible, especially if the charcoal powder contains impurities, leading to activated charcoal for skin rashes.
- Skin lightening claims – Some people notice mild brightening after treatment, but true activated charcoal skin lightening is temporary and results mainly from deep cleansing, not bleaching.
Always consult a dermatologist before trying any charcoal treatment for face to ensure safe, customized care.
Cost of Charcoal Facial in Mumbai
The cost of charcoal treatment for face depends on whether you choose a DIY mask or a dermatologist-supervised facial:
- At-home charcoal masks – Easily available for Rs.200–Rs.800. These provide only short-term results, with limited detox and cleansing benefits.
- In-clinic charcoal facial at The Bombay Skin Clinic – Ranges between Rs.3,000–Rs.6,000 per session. These sessions use advanced laser technology with medical-grade activated charcoal, offering deeper cleansing, longer-lasting results, and dermatologist safety.
While at-home options seem affordable, professional charcoal facials in Mumbai are a better long-term investment for safe and effective skin rejuvenation.
How long do these facials usually last?
Generally, a charcoal facial treatment takes about an hour. During this time, our dermatologists carefully perform each step – cleansing, applying activated charcoal for face, and using advanced technology for deep pore detox.
The session is relaxing yet highly effective, leaving your skin smoother, clearer, and visibly refreshed. Many patients notice immediate charcoal benefits for skin, such as reduced oiliness and a natural glow, right after the treatment.
For longer-lasting results, a dermatologist may recommend repeating your charcoal treatment for face every 3–4 weeks, depending on your skin type.
Steps to follow after the facial
After the facial, your skin will be more sensitive than usual, so you should take extra care of it. When stepping out, ensure to protect your skin from sun rays by applying a mild yet effective sunscreen. Avoid oily make-up products for a few days and do not rub or scrub your skin excessively. Also, refrain from using any exfoliating products because the charcoal facial will help open your pores and any exfoliant may cause irritation.
At-home facial vs. charcoal facial at a dermatologist/skin clinic
While there are plenty of charcoal face mask benefits with DIY options, the results are limited compared to a dermatologist-supervised charcoal facial at clinic vs at home. Only a clinic treatment combines activated charcoal for face benefits with advanced devices for long-lasting results.
What you should note is that the results from a clinic treatment will always be superior since it involves an advanced laser light technology. A charcoal facial at the hands of a certified and experienced dermatologist will always offer better and long-lasting results than an amateur facial done at home. Furthermore, only a certified professional will be able to advise you regarding allergies that you may have to certain ingredients. The wrong product can lead to rashes, pain, and chemical burns. So, it is always advised to opt for a professional in-clinic facial to get the most out of it.
Charcoal facials have become extremely popular because of their wide charcoal benefits for skin including detox, pore tightening, and glow restoration. At The Bombay Skin Clinic, we ensure your charcoal treatment for your face is safe, effective, and dermatologist-approved.
Experience the benefits of a doctor-led charcoal facial designed to cleanse and refresh your skin. Book a consultation to find out if it’s right for you.
