Charcoal Soap for Men: A Simple Guide

The short answer: Charcoal soap for men is a bar soap made with activated charcoal, which gives it a dark color and a deep, fresh-feeling clean. Freedom Soap Co. makes three charcoal bars, all cold-process and 4 oz, in small batches in Conway, Arkansas: Activated Charcoal, Pine + Eucalyptus and Tea Tree. Get all three in the Men's Soap Bundle for $21.50.

Charcoal soap has become a go-to men's bar. Here's what it is, how it feels, and how our three charcoal bars compare.

What is activated charcoal soap?

Activated charcoal is a fine black powder. In soap, it gives the bar its dark color and a clean, slightly polishing feel on the skin. Our bars are cold-process. Every one shares the same base of plant oils, shea butter, and lye and water, then adds activated charcoal and pure essential oils for scent. There's no synthetic fragrance.

How does charcoal soap feel?

It lathers like any of our bars, rich and creamy from castor and coconut oils, and rinses clean. Most people describe the feel as deep and fresh, which is why it's popular after workouts, yard work or a long day outside.

Who likes charcoal soap?

Many people with oily or combination skin like the way charcoal soap feels. Others simply like the dark bar and the woodsy or herbal scents.

Our three charcoal soaps for men

Activated Charcoal bar soap, 4 oz

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal scented with cedarwood and pine essential oils. It's a subtle, woodsy bar for face and body. $7.95.

Pine + Eucalyptus charcoal bar soap, 4 oz

Pine + Eucalyptus

Activated charcoal and bentonite clay with pine and eucalyptus essential oils. Crisp, woodsy and clean, with subtle herbal notes. $7.95.

Tea Tree charcoal bar soap, 4 oz

Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil with activated charcoal for a deep clean. Crisp, herbal and clean. $7.95.

What's in every bar?

Every Freedom Soap Co. bar shares the same base:

  • Apricot kernel oil
  • Castor oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil
  • Shea butter
  • Sunflower seed oil
  • Sodium hydroxide (lye) and water

Lye and water are what turn the oils into soap. That reaction is called saponification.

Each bar then adds its own essential oils, plus charcoal or clay. There are no parabens, no palm oil and no synthetic fragrance.

Get all three in the Men's Soap Bundle

The Men's Soap Bundle includes one 4 oz bar each of Pine + Eucalyptus, Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree for $21.50, about 10% less than buying them separately.

Men's Soap Bundle with Pine + Eucalyptus, Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree bars

Growing a beard too? Read Beard Oil vs. Beard Balm: Which Do You Need? or see the Two-Step Beard Routine.

Charcoal soap FAQ

What is activated charcoal soap?

It's a bar soap made with activated charcoal powder, which gives it a dark color and a deep, fresh-feeling clean. Ours are cold-process bars made in small batches in Conway, Arkansas.

Who likes charcoal soap?

Many people with oily or combination skin like how it feels. It's also popular after the gym or yard work, when you want a squeaky-clean feel.

Which Freedom Soap Co. bars have charcoal?

Activated Charcoal (with cedarwood and pine essential oils), Pine + Eucalyptus (with bentonite clay and pine and eucalyptus essential oils) and Tea Tree (with tea tree essential oil). All three are 4 oz bars.

What's in your charcoal soaps?

Every bar shares the same base: apricot kernel oil, castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and sodium hydroxide (lye) and water. Then activated charcoal and essential oils for scent, plus bentonite clay in Pine + Eucalyptus. No synthetic fragrance, parabens or palm oil.

Can I use charcoal soap on my face?

Our Activated Charcoal bar is made for face and body.

Is there a bundle?

Yes. The Men's Soap Bundle includes Pine + Eucalyptus, Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree, three 4 oz bars, for $21.50. That's about 10% less than buying them separately.

Shop the Men's Collection β†’

Back to blog