The quick increase in using all-natural products has taken the earth by a storm! Some studies have stated that on average, a woman puts about 160+ different chemicals on her skin every day. These products are a huge range, from cosmetics to lotions, and these beauty and skin products, after being absorbed into the skin, have managed to clog pores, increase acne and cause more damage than any good their advertisements promised. So now, more and more people are veering away from using any chemicals on their skin and opt to get closer to Mother Earth and its natural beauty treatments.

One of the up-and-coming products people have been making use of is activated charcoal, which is usually made up of coconut shells, peat and olive pits. It is a natural remedy to take care of a bunch of external and internal issues. But, what exactly is it, and how does it work?

Activated charcoal is charcoal heated at a specific temperature that increases its surface area and makes it extremely porous to promote adsorption. Adsorption is a process of pulling harmful toxins in the environment it’s exposed to. So, rather than the body absorbing anything harmful, it will eliminate it easier once the charcoal has been removed from the body.

Some of the most common uses for it can be found below:

• Poison remedy and decontaminant – Many hospitals have large amounts of activated charcoal ready for when patients who have ingested some form of poison come in. It helps the body stop from absorbing it and easily flushes it out.
• Anti-hangover – There are activated charcoal pills you can take if ever you do end up drinking an excessive amount of alcohol. Although great for getting rid of harmful toxins in the body, it is still not advisable to ingest often. As much as it stops the poison absorption, it also prevents you from absorbing other necessary nutrients. So, it’s best to take it on an empty stomach.
• Cleans and whitens teeth – Some brands of toothpaste include activated charcoal as one of its main ingredients, but it might not be as effective. So, it’s possible to make use of the powder itself. The grains of activated charcoal may be a bit too coarse and harsh for the enamel of your teeth, so, it’s best to make a paste with water and gently spread the paste over your teeth and leave for a few minutes. There’s no need to brush it with a toothbrush. It is recommended to only do it one to two times a week.
• Face and underarm mask – Mix a teaspoon of activated charcoal with 1½ teaspoons of water to create a paste. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil on your skin and place the mixture on top. Wait for 10-20 minutes before rinsing the mask off with water. An activated charcoal mask brightens skin, tightens pores, removes impurities and reduces inflammation.

Try one of them out tonight! We just hope it won’t have to be number 1 or 2.