Whether you're looking to achieve a whiter smile, tame tummy troubles, or get the stink out, activated charcoal can help! Activated charcoal is a staple in my house for DIY beauty products and in my mommy kit. It's extremely versatile and definitely worth keeping on hand.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a powerful natural substance that is created by heating carbon-rich materials like coconut shells or wood at high temperatures. This process creates a highly porous material with a large surface area, which helps it trap and absorb toxins, impurities, and excess oils from the environment and the body.
It's important to note that activated charcoal should be used sparingly and with caution. It is not recommended for long-term use or as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health concerns, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating activated charcoal into your routine.
How to Use Activated Charcoal
I purchase activated charcoal in a capsule form because I find it to be less messy. But it is typically more cost effective to purchase the loose powder.
When I ingest it, I simply take the capsules. When using for a small child or someone who has difficulty swallowing pills, you can open the capsule and mix the activated charcoal with juice, water, milk, applesauce, yogurt, smoothie, etc.
When I use the activated charcoal in a recipe like toothpaste or a scrub, I open the desired amount of capsules, pour in the activated charcoal, and mix it in.
Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening & Oral Health
This is one of the most popular ways to use activated charcoal. Toothpaste infused with activated charcoal can now be found at your favorite big box store or drug store. And there's a good reason for it -- it works! And it's easy to use this treatment at home without purchasing expensive products.
So, how does it work?
- The porous nature of activated charcoal allows it to absorb plaque and stains that discolor your teeth.
- By gently brushing with activated charcoal powder or using toothpaste infused with activated charcoal, you can effectively remove years of surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, and other common culprits.
- Don't worry about your teeth turning black – it doesn't leave any residue behind after you rinse.
I add activated charcoal to my homemade toothpaste and add it to my coconut oil when I oil pull.
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Activated Charcoal for Skincare
- When used topically on your skin, this powerhouse ingredient attracts and absorbs impurities, making it a popular choice for natural skincare.
- Its porous nature draws out & traps toxins, dirt, and excess oil that can clog pores - resulting in a clearer and healthier complexion.
- Activated charcoal is also a gentle exfoliant that can brighten and smooth your skin.
- In addition to adding activated charcoal to your natural beauty routine, it can also be used to soothe skin irritants like bug bites and rashes. Do a spot test before treating a large area of skin. Simply make a paste out of activated charcoal & water and rub to the irritated area.
- I often add activated charcoal to my melt & pour soap or salt & sugar scrubs.
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My favorite activated charcoal skincare product is this Activated Charcoal mask.
Made with Tahitian volcanic black sand to gently exfoliate for softer, glowing skin, activated charcoal and a blend of ethically sourced kaolin clays, this mask will lift dirt and oil, purify pores, detox skin, and help restore the appearance of an even skin tone.
Activated Charcoal for Digestive Health & Bloating
Activated charcoal is part of my basic tool kit that I keep on hand. With this tool kit, my mommy skills are just about invincible! Check out my basic tool kit here. I use activated charcoal anytime someone in the house has tummy troubles.
- It works by adsorbing unwanted substances in the gastrointestinal system, including toxins, bacteria, and gas.
- It can alleviate discomfort quickly and makes it one of my most used remedies for all things tummy.
- Get more tips to naturally relieve constipation here.
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Activated Charcoal for a Hangover
You know how activated charcoal removes toxins & impurities? That comes in handy after a night of overindulgence!
Activated charcoal works by adsorbing the substances responsible for your hangover, such as alcohol and other impurities, and eliminating them from your system.
By doing so, it can potentially reduce nausea, bloating, and possibly even headaches that often accompany a hangover.
Remember, while activated charcoal may help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, it does not eliminate the effects of alcohol or reverse its intoxicating effects. In other words, last night still happened and can't be erased ;-) Drink responsibly.
Get all more natural hangover cures here.
Around the House
Activated charcoal can also be used around the house.
Some common uses include:
- Deodorizer
- You can buy pre-filled sachets to put in stinky places to adsorb odor & moisture or use activated charcoal pellets and make your own sachets.
- Water Filter:
- Activated charcoal is often used in water filtration systems. I use this filter that uses an activated carbon filter.
- Gardening:
- Activated charcoal can improve soil quality and can be added to your plant's soil.
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