When used in a face mask (which includes this Charcoal) it helps alleviate the oils in my skin and seems to purify it, I have noticed I have a slight sensitivity to it as well if you leave it on for long periods of time it may make your skin start to itch which I just took it to mean that it's time to remove the mask.My personal Mask recipe: Add water to 3 table spoons of Bentonite Clay 1 & 1/2 Table Spoons of Charcoal Powder 1/6 cup of honey 1 teaspoons of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of nutmeg About 10 drops of Tea-tree or lavender essential oilThe Science behind the mask:Cinnamon and Nutmeg are anti-inflammatory honey and tea tree essential oil are both used as antibacterial Charcole I keep the mask on for about 10-15 minutes, 30 minutes if I'm studying but it will normally start itching in about 15 minutes (mostly more than likely due to my facial hair but cinnamon can be a skin irritant) Bentonite Clay and Charcoal both help absorb impurities in the skin [both should be food grade].I use my mask probably about 2-3 a week and then I moisturize using Cerave's facial lotion for normal to very dry skin