Paintitblack

KONJAC SPONGE £8.99 ORIGINS CLEAR IMPROVEMENT CHARCOAL BODY SCRUB £25

This grey foam looks strange straight out of the can but it lathers up into a delicious rich, freshscented lather that leaves the skin really clean. The grey and rose gold packaging is pretty smart, too. ANYONE with a teenager in the house will be used to seeing them wafting around with black strips over their nose, or dark sticky mud on their faces.

Charcoal-based products line the bathroom shelves like goths queueing for a Sisters of Mercy reunion tour.

Naturally, the grubby-looking substances then end up on the sink, tiles, towels and floor.

But a new generation of charcoal lotions, potions and BY ANNA BURNSIDE tools harnesses the power of this hero ingredient while minimising the mess.

Charcoal is a natural cleanser and detoxifier, hauling dirt and oil from the skin. This makes pores look smaller and the skin smoother and glowing.

A weekly charcoal mask will help keep greasy skin under control. Choose a sheet mask or strip rather than a wash-off face pack.

Proceed cautiously with soaps, scrubs and washes. Charcoal is powerful and can easily overwhelm delicate skin. Give it a couple of days between use to avoid making break-outs and blemishes worse.

Those of us whose spotsqueezing days are behind us can still get the benefits of charcoal. Beauty tools including brushes and sponges are getting the charcoal treatment.

And charcoal hair products and even toothbrushes are in the post. The latest Asian face-washing sensation is a sponge made from the alkaline leaves of the konjac plant. The net-like structure massages the skin and leaves it glowing and gorgeous. Adding charcoal gives a double benefit for those with oily or spot-prone skin. See off grotty winter skin with this invigorating concoction of charcoal, sea salt and brown sugar. This excellent range also has an exfoliating powder cleanser to nuke the pores on the face.