Today, we wanted to talk about a versatile supplement that you can find in a variety of products, in almost every aisle of Fruitful Yield. Have a guess as to what it is? Our topic of conversation is activated charcoal! Many have seen charcoal used in beauty products, or heard about people having to take it after a particularly indulgent night, but it serves many other purposes! Therefore, we wanted to break down our top five favorite ways to incorporate activated charcoal into our routine.

What is activated charcoal?

First, we need to understand activated charcoal! It is a fine black powder that has been created from coconut shells, coal, sawdust, and other sources. The term “activated” comes into play by processing the charcoal at very high temperatures which results in a more porous kind of charcoal.

Here’s where some fun science comes in… The porous nature of the charcoal has a negative electrical charge. This is important because that means it’s negative charge attracts positively charged molecules. You may be wondering, “What in our bodies has a positive charge?” The answer is unwanted toxins and chemicals that can store up in our gut! By consuming activated charcoal, it may help by attaching to and removing toxins in our bodies, supporting the body's natural detoxification processes from heavy metals and other toxins. In that spirit, we will discuss our five favorite ways to use charcoal.

For Skin Benefits

The beauty industry uses charcoal in a variety of products, like a detox mask or a purifying moisturizer. One of our favorites is the NOW Charcoal Detox Moisturizer. It's perfect for summer months, or year-round for people with oily skin. The activated charcoal in the formula works to relieve stressed skin from environmental factors, and aids in removing excess oil from the skin. Additionally, the moisturizer features aloe leaf juice and vegetable squalane to help plump and hydrate the skin.

For Major Detox Support

For those looking to supplement with charcoal, NOW Activated Charcoal is a great option. Made from coconut shells, this supplement may help relieve gas and bloating caused from difficult-to-digest foods. It is very important to note that NOW states, “Not for long-term daily use. Not for continuous use for more than one week.” Always follow the directions on the bottle! Furthermore, we always take activated charcoal at least two hours before or after medication or other supplements. This is because it can affect their absorption. As always, talk to your doctor about any new supplements you're considering.

To Purify Body

Another beauty favorite is charcoal in the form of a soap or body wash! It is common for athletes and generally active people to experience some congestion in their skin. Constant sweating and exposure to different temperatures can often cause people to break out on their body, on their back or shoulders, or experience overall irritation. A great way to counteract this is by using a cleansing agent that contains activated charcoal. We love Grandpa Soap’s Charcoal Cleansing Shower Cream to help clarify our skin. This creamy cleanser offers steam-activated charcoal, and organic hemp oil to aid body impurities and calm stressed skin.

For a Detoxifying Brew

When it comes to food, people often don’t want to combine charcoal with a meal because it has the ability to strip the food you are digesting of important nutrients! So, we found a better way to incorporate charcoal into our normal diet in the form of tea! We love sipping a nice cup of Republic of Tea’s U Matcha Charcoal Tea which combines the many antioxidant benefits of matcha with activated charcoal! For those in need of some digestive help, this tea blend can help offer gentle energy while supporting healthy detoxification. It has a great, earthy flavor and can be enjoyed hot or iced!

For a Brighter Smile

Last but not least, charcoal has made its way into a lot of our oral health products! It can be commonly found in a myriad of products, including whitening strips, toothpaste, mouth wash, and even in toothbrushes. One of our favorites at the Fruitful Yield is My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Spearmint. This toothpaste contains no fluoride, no sodium lauryl phosphate, and no glycerine. Instead, the toothpaste features activated charcoal, bentonite clay, essential oils, and xylitol! They describe their formulation as being able to “re-mineralize and clean the plaque off your teeth, without any of the harsh abrasives used in mainstream toothpastes.” As a side note, it’s simply fun to brush your teeth with a naturally black toothpaste! We recommend using this in the shower or, if using by the sink, limit your splash zone.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about our favorite activated charcoal products. Do you have a favorite way of using charcoal? Let us know in the comments below or visit us in-stores with any questions!