By Ashley Guttuso, Apoterra on-staff, licensed esthetician

All acne and clogged pores are not created equal. We believe that your skincare treatments should be as unique as you are. As Dominique, Apoterra’s founder and formulator, often says, you wouldn’t heal a cut with abrasive ingredients and drying astringents, so why approach your acne in such an aggressive way? Your skin, including your acne, breakouts and clogged pores, will love you back for the nutrients you provide to support its journey back to clarity, health and radiance. 

Addressing acne and breakouts. Naturally.

Enter plant and earth-derived healing ingredients. In this post, we’re spotlighting the benefits of Activated Charcoal for skin. But first, what is activated charcoal, anyway? We’re sure by now that you’ve seen this ingredient in just about everything from your toothpaste to your deodorant, and we’re firm believers in learning as much as possible about anything we apply to our bodies.

Charcoal is treated with oxygen to create more active regions that chemically bind with toxins, hence the term “activated” charcoal! When applied topically, the benefits of Activated Charcoal for skin are equal parts effective and impressive. Activated Charcoal quite literally sticks to and pulls out dirt, oil and build up to provide a deep cleanse that helps minimize pores and keep them from becoming clogged.

How to get the benefits of Activated Charcoal for your skin

On its own, Activated Charcoal can be drying and overly-sensitizing for some. Enter our Mineral Purifying Mask; a blend of earth-derived, mineral-rich ingredients and soothing botanicals. Expect all of the benefits of a traditional clay mask – but without the over-drying effects. 

Our mask if formulated with hibiscus flowers, called the “natural botox plant,” because of its firming and lifting properties. Its naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) exfoliate to promote cell renewal and help prevent breakouts. This mask’s blend of natural clays, Activated Charcoal, and meadowsweet help to decongest clogged pores, while colloidal oats, chamomile, lavender, rose petals and zinc oxide calm and soothe skin. 

Activated Charcoal benefits for your unique skin goals

Our Mineral Purifying Mask mask comes in a powder form so it can be customized to meet your needs. Find the perfect customized recipe developed by our on-staff licensed esthetician specifically for your skin state and to help you reach your skin goals!

Ingredients:

• Mineral Purifying Mask (1-2 tsp)
• Organic, probiotic-rich plain yogurt. Vegan yogurt works, too! (1-2 tsp)
• Raw or Manuka Honey (1 tsp)

Mix until a well-blended and creamy mask is formed. Apply to clean skin misted lightly with Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist. Let sit for 10-12 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Apply toner and your favorite facial oil. 

Active Breakouts

 Ingredients:

• Mineral Purifying Mask (2 tsp)
• Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist. (2 tsp or mist as needed)
• Raw or Manuka Honey (1 tsp)
• Sea Berry Balancing Facial Oil or Herbal Clarifying Facial Oil (2-3 drops)

Blend all ingredients until a cohesive paste is formed. Apply to clean skin that is lightly misted with Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist.. Apply the mask mixture to skin and let sit for 10-12 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Apply toner and your favorite facial oil.

 

Combination or Oily Skin with Blackheads

Ingredients:

• Mineral Purifying Mask (2 tsp)
• Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist. (1-2 tsp or mist as needed)

Mist skin with Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist. Begin mixing your mask mixture by first adding the dry Purifying Mask powder to a small bowl and add liquid next. Stir until a paste is formed. Apply to skin that and let sit for 8-10 minutes, or until the mask has dried. Rinse off with warm water and apply toner and your favorite facial oil. 

Excess Oil

Ingredients:

• Mineral Purifying Mask (2 tsp)
• Organic Green Tea (2 tsp or mist as needed)
• Herbal Clarifying Facial Oil (2-3 drops)

Stir all ingredients until a paste is formed. Apply to clean skin that is lightly misted with Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist.. Apply the mask mixture to your skin and let sit for 8-10 minutes or until the mask has dried. Rinse off with warm water and apply toner and your favorite facial oil.

 

Breakout & Blackhead Prevention

Ingredients:

• Mineral Purifying Mask (2 tsp)
• Rose Essential Hydration Mist (2 tsp or mist as needed)
• Rose Nourishing Facial Oil (2-3 drops)

Stir all ingredients until a paste is formed. Apply to clean skin that is lightly misted with Rose Essential Hydration Mist. Apply the mask mixture to your skin and let sit for 8-10 minutes or until the mask has dried. Rinse off with warm water and apply toner and your favorite facial oil.