LUSH Coalface soap Review

The Verdict:  Although Coalface does not clear up my acne, I really like the way my face feels squeaky clean after I've used it.  That's the reason I still use it even though it doesn't do much for me.  

Just the Facts:  I've been using LUSH products for a several years now and found a few hair care products from them that I really like.  So I decided to try some of their facial cleansers to see if I also got great results from those as well.  I'm approaching 40 but still breaking out like a teenager so I turned to LUSH Coalface soap to see if it would clear me up like LUSH claims it will.

Coal face is a facial cleansing soap that is quite strange looking in that it is black like coal as its name suggests.  This is because there is actually powdered charcoal in the soap which supposedly helps to absorb excess oil.  There's also some ground charcoal on one side of the soap which acts as an exfoliator. 

The coal on the side of the bar makes it slightly too abrasive for using directly on my face so I usually roll the bar around in my wet hands to create some lather and then I wash my face with my hands.  This results in just the right amount of exfoliation and when I'm finished cleansing my face feels super clean.  It is super clean.  When I tone afterward there is no dirt or makeup on the cotton pad at all.  This may be bad, but my face feels kind of tight and a little dry after cleansing with Coalface, but it feels good to me.  As someone who always feels like her face is slimy and greasy, it's nice to have that super clean feeling.

The only problem is that Coalface does nothing to keep my skin clear from acne. In fact, it probably makes it worse.  The first time I used it a few years ago I broke out in painful acne within three days of using Coalface and then spent several weeks trying to clear it up again.  But now that I'm on antibiotics to keep my skin clear, I can use Coalface again as the antibiotics keep me clear and Coalface keeps me clean.

Coalface smells kind of good to me as well.  It has a light black licorice scent mixed with sandalwood so it's kind of unisex and not flowery or anything.  Mr Bugg has used this soap in the past and didn't complain about it being too feminine or foofy so I would not hesitate to say that it's unisex.

The only benefit I get from Coalface is the feeling that there is not an oilslick on my face and that I feel super clean having used it.  It is probably too harsh for those with sensitive skin and would dry them out. 

Closing Argument:  3 stars.  Coalface doesn't really do anything to control my acne, but it does make my face feel very clean and I love that feeling of cleanliness when I usually feel so oily.