Can charcoal peel-off masks damage your skin if used too often? Here’s what an expert has to say
You will doubtless have seen the videos of people applying a thick black paste to their faces, pulling it off to reveal a glowing, soft surface. But don’t use these masks too often – and definitely don’t make your own using superglue
Can the overuse of charcoal peel-off masks damage your skin?
The short answer: Yes
The facts: Charcoal peel-off masks are the latest skincare trend. If you’re active on social media, you’re sure to have come across videos of users applying the thick, black paste onto their faces, waiting for the product to dry, and then peeling the mask off. As the mask dries and hardens, it traps impurities like blackheads, whiteheads, dead skin and oil plugs, all of which get pulled from the skin when the mask is ripped off. The result: skin that looks polished, clean and pore-less and feels super-soft and smooth.
There’s no denying the effectiveness of this cult product. What more proof do you need of its purifying properties than seeing the gunk from your own pores embedded in the mask when you rip it off your skin?
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With such impressive – and oddly satisfying – results, it’s no wonder fans of the mask tend to use the product more often than is necessary. But overuse can harm your skin more than it helps.
“The mask sticks to not just the blackheads and whiteheads, but also the skin and hair on the face,” says Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic in Singapore. “When the mask is removed, it strips off the outermost layer of skin and oils that protect the skin from the environment.