Do not confuse this incredible substance with your father's charcoal briquettes! Activated Charcoal is pure, detoxifying magic. Naturopaths recommend it for helping to gently cleanse the body and clear digestive issues, and physicians use it in hospitals to treat acute poisoning. Activated Charcoal is carbon-rich and is used in everything from natural deodorants to toothpaste, Activated Charcoal is a Clean Beauty ingredient with much to offer.

How Does Activated Charcoal Work?
Activated Charcoal is a fine black powder made from coconut shells. It is "activated" by being processed at very high temperatures that change its internal structure into a porous substance with a negative electrical charge that cannot be absorbed by the body. Activated Charcoal’s negative electrical charge attracts positively charged particles, such as gasses and toxins.

This is why emergency physicians often administer Activated Charcoal to patients who have been poisoned. When taken internally, it traps and binds to the toxic substances in the stomach. Then, because Activated Charcoal can’t be absorbed by the body, it transports the poison out with ease.  (It goes without saying: please consult your physician and also, don’t try this at home. Taking Activated Charcoal with medications can significantly reduce their effectiveness.)

Activated Charcoal Uses
We keep a bottle of this amazing substance around at all times. It comes in capsules, and we have found it useful in moments of digestive distress.  

When mixed with calendula tincture (or even mixed with water), it can be used as an effective poultice to take down the sting of bug bites and to spot treat blemishes.

Some studies have shown that it lowers cholesterol (consult your doctor on this!).

We use Activated Charcoal in many of our Non-toxic Deodorant formulas because it has the ability to absorb 1,000 times its own weight in moisture. Additionally, it absorbs and neutralizes bacteria-causing odor as well.

*It’s important to note that if you’ve been using deodorants and antiperspirants made with aluminum, you might experience detox symptoms for a few weeks after you switch to a Deodorant with natural ingredients, such as Activated Charcoal. The deodorant detox process is different for everyone. Common symptoms might include a temporary increase in odor and sweat. Stick with it! This means your body is releasing things that aren’t good for it. 

Curious about the benefits of Activated Charcoal in your Clean Beauty line-up? Give one of our amazing (plastic-free!) deodorants a try and let it change your life for the better.