Activated Charcoal Protein Bars and Polishing Scrub

I’m sort of late to the game when it comes to using activated charcoal, and I wonder how I ever did without it! You probably already know that activated charcoal is a powerful detox agent.

Charcoal is given to ER patients in cases of overdose or accidental poisonings. But it’s not just for emergency cases–you can use it practically every day for health and wellness both internally and externally.

The benefits of activated charcoal

Activated charcoal, as part a healthy diet, can help the body eliminate extra toxins we encounter naturally. From the pollution in the air we breathe, to chemicals in the water we drink (I admit, I drink tap water), and beyond. Charcoal can also help with gut health.

Externally, especially on the face, activated charcoal can help alleviate excess oil and clear out blackheads. When used as part of an oral hygiene regimen, it can help whiten teeth and freshen breath.

Besides charcoal lemonade, it can be hard to find ways to consume activated charcoal unless it’s in pill form. I’ve seen charcoal biscuits (cookies), but I think I’m a bigger fan of these tasty, albeit a little intimidating, detox protein bars. Don’t let their color frighten you off!

How to Make Activated Charcoal Protein Bars

They are absolutely delicious and a great way to add some detoxing benefits from activated charcoal into your diet. (You can’t even taste the charcoal–promise! But you will want to brush your teeth after. Ha!)

Because activated charcoal is so good at detoxing the body naturally, it’s important not to take it in proximity to prescribed medication, vitamins, supplements, or other things taken orally as they will be absorbed by the charcoal and eliminated from the body.

Along the same lines, taking charcoal with other detoxifying foods can negate their effectiveness. These protein bars are full of fiber and protein, which aren’t affected.

What I’m getting at is that these bars are purely about the charcoal, but they are incredibly delicious at the same time. Sure, you can take a charcoal pill or two, but if you’re looking for a tasty protein and fiber filled snack at the same time, why not combine them?

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup lucuma powder can substitute 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 12-15 whole soft, sticky Medjool dates pitted
• 1/4 cup coconut oil room temperature
• 2 tablespoons raw honey or brown rice syrup or more if needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 teaspoons activated charcoal

Instructions

1. Place the almonds, oats, coconut, and lucuma powder in the food processor fitted with the steel chopping blade. Process until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
2. Place the pitted dates into the food processor. Pulse a few times, then turn on high and let process until a thick paste forms. Stop motor, remove top, and scrape down sides. Add the coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Process again until well-combined.
3. Add the almond, oat, coconut, and lucuma mixture to the food processor, along with the activated charcoal. Pulse a few times, then process until the mixture comes together into a ball. There will be chopped nuts visible, but the mixture should be well-combined. If it doesn’t come together or if it’s dry and crumbly, add a little more honey and process again. It should feel soft and pliable like playdough.
4. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or waxed paper. Press the bar mixture into the pan in a smooth, even layer. Refrigerate or freeze until firm enough to cut into bars, then cut into 8 rectangles.
5. To store, keep well-wrapped in waxed or parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Will keep about one week refrigerated, or several months frozen.

Activated Charcoal Polishing Scrub

And now we move on to the face…

I’ve now entered my late 30s. Sigh. My skin is not the same as it was in my teens and 20s, but I still battle breakouts and blackheads on my face. Double sigh. I’m pretty good about washing my face and using gentle exfoliating scrubs, but every so often I feel like my face needs a good polishing.

With finer particles (baking soda and finely ground rice flour), coupled with the charcoal, moisturizing almond oil, and a gentle cleanser (castile soap), this face polishing scrub is a mini-facial. It’s completely gentle.

I have used some scrubs that have felt like sandpaper and left my skin raw, burning and feeling like it had tiny cuts and scrapes all over. This scrub is gentle, as I said, and leaves my skin refreshed and completely clean, without any irritation.

This scrub, like a charcoal face mask, helps absorb the extra oil, unplug blackheads, and shrink pores. Almond oil is quickly absorbed into the skin and moisturizes rather than leaving skin feeling greasy or oily, so it’s great to include in scrubs or homemade makeup removers for that reason.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap preferably unscented, lavender or another mild scent
• 1 tablespoon almond oil or jojoba, apricot kernel, or vitamin E oil
• 2 tablespoons brown or white rice flour finely ground
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons activated charcoal
• 2-3 drops lavender essential oil optional

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together the castile soap and oil. Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal. The mixture may bubble up a bit. Keep stirring until smooth and creamy. Add the lavender essential oil, if using. Transfer to an airtight container and store in cool, dry place.
2. To use, splash face with a little water so it is damp. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the scrub and gently apply to the face with fingertips in small, circular motions, being careful to avoid the area around the eyes. If desired, let the scrub sit on the face for a few minutes for extra oil-absorbing benefits. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat face dry. For best results, use 2-3 times a week. If the scrub becomes dry, add a little water or almond oil and stir again until creamy.

Some with sensitive skin may find the baking soda a little irritating due to the way it temporarily alters the skin’s pH level. In that case, use only rice flour or even substitute arrowroot powder, which is even more gentle. Be sure to test a small area of the skin first.

The scrub may tingle a bit as the charcoal does its thing, but it shouldn’t be overly uncomfortable or painful. Use the gentlest circular motion when massaging the scrub over the face, and be careful to avoid the sensitive area around the eyes.

For extra oil absorbing benefits, gently apply the scrub, massage gently, and let it sit on the face for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Toner and a light moisturizer, if needed, can be applied afterwards.

Have you made anything with activated charcoal lately? Let us know some of your favorite uses and recipes in the comments!

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5 from 1 vote

Activated Charcoal Protein Bars and Polishing Scrub

You know activated charcoal is great for your skin, but did you know it's good for your body too? Get charcoal's benefits inside and out with these recipes.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Beauty Food

Keyword: activated charcoal

Author: Lindsey Johnson

Cost: $15

Equipment

• Food processor
• Medium bowl

Materials

Activated Charcoal Protein Bars

• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup lucuma powder can substitute 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 12-15 whole soft, sticky Medjool dates pitted
• 1/4 cup coconut oil room temperature
• 2 tablespoons raw honey or brown rice syrup or more if needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 teaspoons activated charcoal

Activated Charcoal Polishing Facial Scrub

• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap preferably unscented, lavender or another mild scent
• 1 tablespoon almond oil or jojoba, apricot kernel, or vitamin E oil
• 2 tablespoons brown or white rice flour finely ground
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons activated charcoal
• 2-3 drops lavender essential oil optional

Instructions

Activated Charcoal Protein Bars

• Place the almonds, oats, coconut, and lucuma powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel chopping blade. Process until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• Place the pitted dates into the food processor. Pulse a few times, then turn on high and let process until a thick paste forms. Stop motor, remove top, and scrape down sides. Add the coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Process again until well-combined.
• Add the almond, oat, coconut, and lucuma mixture to the food processor, along with the activated charcoal. Pulse a few times, then process until the mixture comes together into a ball. There will be chopped nuts visible, but the mixture should be well-combined. If it doesn't come together or if it's dry and crumbly, add a little more honey and process again. It should feel soft and pliable like playdough.
  
• Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or waxed paper. Press the bar mixture into the pan in a smooth, even layer. Refrigerate or freeze until firm enough to cut into bars, then cut into 8 rectangles.
• To store, keep well-wrapped in waxed or parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Will keep about one week refrigerated, or several months frozen.
  

Activated Charcoal Polishing Facial Scrub

• In a small bowl, stir together the castile soap and oil. Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal. The mixture may bubble up a bit. Keep stirring until smooth and creamy. Add the lavender essential oil, if using. Transfer to an airtight container and store in cool, dry place.
  
• To use, splash face with a little water so it is damp. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the scrub and gently apply to the face with fingertips in small, circular motions, being careful to avoid the area around the eyes. If desired, let the scrub sit on the face for a few minutes for extra oil-absorbing benefits. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat face dry. For best results, use several times a week. If the scrub becomes dry, add a little water or almond oil and stir again until creamy.
  

Notes

Activated charcoal, as part a healthy diet, can help the body eliminate extra toxins we encounter naturally and improve gut health. Externally, especially on the face, activated charcoal can help alleviate excess oil and clear out blackheads. 

Aside from these two recipes, feel free to add it to smoothies, oatmeal, face masks, homemade toothpaste, you name it.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Photos by Ana Stanciu