Details:
Rich, oil-based protection and recovery cream for very dry or exposed skin and lips, specially formulated to get you through rough weather, icy winters and dry heat. Apply before venturing out, or to vitalize and soothe dry and damaged skin. Char Essence is a natural byproduct from the traditional production of White Charcoal, long valued in Japan for its purifying and balancing effect on the skin - as well as for its delicious woody and smoky scent. CHAR OIL CREAM is handmade in Denmark, using only the finest natural ingredients free from harmful substances.
Brand:
Purity, personified
For centuries, artisans in Japan’s Wakayama region have turned oak branches into Binchotan, a type of activated charcoal known for its purifying properties and its white hue, earning it the name “White Charcoal.”
Our infatuation with Binchotan began two decades ago, when we discovered the material while traveling through Japan. We’ve since embarked on a 100-year mission to spread its benefits to the world. That, combined with the “less is more” mantra of our Danish design, allows us to positively influence people through sensible, well-made products.
We start by sourcing the finest eco-friendly Binchotan, test it in accordance with the highest European standards, and turn it into purifying products for the air, water, and body. Over the last ten years, Sort of Coal has become an ever-evolving looking glass to life, nature and purity— as if the three were never distinct. The company was founded in 2008 by Pernille Lembcke and is currently owned by her and Gregoris Kalai.
The craft
The raw material is harvested by local craftsmen in such a way that it promotes rapid and fertile regrowth, ensuring that a healthy eco-system is still in place after centuries of traditional White Charcoal production.
First, ubame oak is baked at low temperatures in a handmade clay kiln. Te temperature is then rapidly increased before the embers are starved of oxygen by shutting the opening to the firebox, thereby preserving the carbon content of the wood. It’s that last step that differs from typical charcoal making, allowing Binchotan to retain around 97% of its carbon content. Once used, each charcoal product goes back to nature as a rich fertilizer.
Kishu Binchotan remains the finest, densest and purest form and is hand-made through a slow process over six weeks. This process is passed down through generations and the ritual around it is cherished greatly. White Charcoal has been used for centuries in an endless cycle of birth and rebirth, yet never been more relevant to our way of thought.
To continue the product lifecycle of our products, simply crush your used charcoal and mix it in with potting or garden soil. An excellent fertilizer, it will add nourishment and help regulate the PH balance for your plants to flourish and play their vital part in the carbon cycle of life.