Head down any skincare aisle or scroll through a wellness page, and you will find bentonite clay and activated charcoal sitting side by side in half the products. You’ll see them paired constantly with face masks, soaps, deodorants, and even DIY recipes on Pinterest. But is it really a good idea to combine the two ingredients, or is it just a trend cobbled together for marketing purposes? Let’s look at what each does, if mixing is a good idea, and where you need to be careful.

What Bentonite Clay Does on Its Own

Bentonite clay is a natural clay formed by the weathering of volcanic ash. It is composed mostly of the mineral montmorillonite. It has a negative surface charge, which allows it to attract and bind to positively charged particles, such as oils, impurities, and some minerals. It can also swell dramatically when mixed with water, which is part of the reason it works so well as a base for a face mask and, in a completely different context, as an industrial sealant for ponds and boreholes.

In skincare, this clay is often used to:

• Absorbs excess surface oil

• Helps remove debris from pores

• Leaves oily or combination skin smoother and more matte

What Activated Charcoal Does on Its Own

Activated charcoal looks like regular charcoal, except that it has been prepared to have millions of tiny holes on the surface. This porous structure is what gives it such a high adsorption capacity. In fact, it is used in a medical setting in emergency rooms to treat some types of poisoning. The National Institutes of Health says activated charcoal is a gastrointestinal adsorbent used to treat acute oral poisoning and overdose by binding to drugs and toxins in the gut and reducing the amount absorbed into the bloodstream.

But in skincare, that same binding is used for a gentler purpose. It’s used in masks and cleansers to help lift dirt, oil, and pollutants sitting on the surface of the skin.

So, Can You Use Bentonite Clay and Activated Charcoal Together?

Yes, this combination is commonly used topically and is generally considered safe for most skin types. They operate on the same general principle (binding and lifting away oil and debris) but with slightly different mechanisms, which is why so many skincare brands pair them in the same product.

Here’s a quick glance at how they play together on skin:

How to Use a Bentonite Clay and Activated Charcoal Mask

If you want to try this combination as a face mask, here is a simple, commonly used way.

• In a non-metal bowl, mix equal parts of clay powder and charcoal powder. Bentonite waterstop may react with metal to reduce its effectiveness.

• Slowly add water or apple cider vinegar to make a smooth, spreadable paste.

• Apply a thin, even layer to clean and dry skin, avoiding the eye area.

• Allow to sit for 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid letting it dry out and crack, as this can be tough on the skin.

• Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

• Follow with a moisturiser, as both ingredients can be drying when used frequently.

• If you’ve never used either ingredient before, start off once a week and see how your skin reacts before upping frequency.

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