Activated charcoal and I met when I was a third-year medical student, helping treat a young overdose patient in the emergency department. I used it countless times during my years as an ER doc, and saw it save more than a few lives. On Sunday morning shifts, we could always identify the patients who had been brought in intoxicated and unconscious by the telltale black ring around their lips—they had all been treated with activated charcoal in an effort to prevent drugs from causing dangerous toxicity.
So yes. It works.
The more interesting question is how—and whether that same mechanism translates into skincare and teeth whitening.
What Is Charcoal?
Charcoal is made from wood or coconut shells by heating them at very high temperatures (800–1200 degrees) with very low oxygen concentrations. This slow process removes methane, hydrogen, and tar from the source material, reducing its weight by roughly 75% and leaving behind a concentrated, carbon-rich structure.
At this stage, charcoal can be used as fuel. It burns hotter and cleaner than raw wood.
But it’s the activation step that transforms ordinary charcoal into the medical-grade substance used in emergency departments.
How Does Charcoal Become Activated?
Activation is typically done using chemicals or steam—we use steam-activated charcoal in our products.
The charcoal is exposed to extremely high temperatures with steam, which opens up its carbon structure and dramatically increases its porosity. The end result is an incredibly porous form of carbon with an enormous internal surface area—tons of open spaces with which to bind other substances.
And this is where things get crazy.
How Does Activated Charcoal Work?
One tablespoon of activated charcoal powder has roughly the same surface area as two football fields.
Two. Football. Fields.
That massive surface area gives activated charcoal its binding power. Through a process called adsorption—not absorption—molecules adhere to the surface of the charcoal.
This is precisely why we use it in the emergency room. In cases of overdose, if a toxin is still in the stomach or upper intestine and hasn’t yet been absorbed into the bloodstream, activated charcoal can bind to it. Activated charcoal is administered through a tube going from the mouth or nose into the stomach; the charcoal itself is not absorbed by the body—it passes through the digestive tract, carrying the bound toxin with it.
It does not work for every toxin, should always be administered by medical personnel, and it is not a DIY detox solution.
But its unparalleled ability to bind certain substances is the reason it’s used in the following settings:
- Emergency medicine
- Water filtration systems
- Air purification
- Environmental cleanup
- Alcohol purification
- Decaffeination processes
And, wait for it….skincare!
Does Activated Charcoal Detox Your Skin?
“Detox” is a loaded word.
Your liver and kidneys detox your body. Charcoal does not magically pull toxins out of your bloodstream through your skin.
What activated charcoal can do topically is bind to surface-level impurities—oil, debris, pollutants, and certain environmental contaminants—before they are rinsed away.
Because of its adsorption capacity, activated charcoal can:
- Help remove excess sebum
- Bind particulate pollution
- Improve the feel of congested skin
- Temporarily reduce the appearance of clogged pores
But here’s the important nuance that a lot of skincare influencers don’t understand: charcoal binds broadly. It doesn’t distinguish between “bad” and “good.” Used too frequently, it can disrupt the skin barrier by removing beneficial lipids.
That’s why proportion and formulation matter.
We use activated bamboo charcoal in our Detox Exfoliating Mask alongside organic manuka honey and raw cacao to help replenish what charcoal removes. We recommend using it once a week—not daily.
We also use activated charcoal in Oh So Detox soap, where it’s balanced with olive oil and shea butter. That bar contains no essential oils, making it appropriate for sensitive skin or noses and for those managing eczema or psoriasis.
Exfo Body Soap is our body breakout bar, and uses activated charcoal in combination with ground walnut hull and essential oils of lemongrass and niaouli to help smooth textured skin and calm active breakouts.
And contrary to popular belief, there’s no charcoal in our beloved Black Clay Facial Soap. We don’t think daily facial charcoal use is ideal for most skin types.
Does Activated Charcoal Whiten Teeth?
Charcoal whitens teeth using the same adsorption principle. It binds to certain surface stains—particularly those from coffee, tea, and red wine.
When I tried it, I noticed a subtle improvement. Not a holy-moly, movie-star smile. But cleaner-looking enamel.
That said, there are caveats:
- It is messy.
- It tastes like you faceplanted in a fireplace.
- Overuse may be abrasive to enamel, depending on the formulation.
- Inhalation of loose powder can irritate the lungs.
If you experiment, mash the powder into a dampened toothpaste before brushing and avoid inhaling it. Or use professionally formulated charcoal dental products designed to minimize abrasion.
Is Activated Charcoal Safe?
In medical settings, activated charcoal is safe when administered appropriately.
In skincare, it is generally safe when:
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Used in well-formulated products
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Used intermittently rather than daily
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Paired with replenishing ingredients
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Avoided on compromised or severely dry skin
It is not a substitute for medical detox. It does not “cleanse your bloodstream.” And oral use outside medical supervision can interfere with medications and nutrient absorption.
As with most powerful tools, the magic lies in proper context.
FAQ: Activated Charcoal
Can activated charcoal remove toxins from your body?
Only in very specific situations—primarily when administered medically after certain poisonings or overdoses. It does not detox your bloodstream through your skin.
Is activated charcoal good for acne?
It may help reduce excess oil and surface impurities that contribute to breakouts. It is best used intermittently and combined with barrier-supporting ingredients.
Can you use activated charcoal every day?
For most skin types, daily use is excessive. Once or twice weekly is usually sufficient.
Does activated charcoal absorb or adsorb toxins?
Adsorb. Molecules adhere to the surface of the charcoal rather than being absorbed into it.
Is charcoal toothpaste safe?
Occasional use is generally safe, but daily aggressive brushing with abrasive charcoal powders may contribute to enamel wear. Choose formulations carefully.
So, there you have it. The lowdown on activated charcoal. After seeing activated charcoal literally save lives in the ER, and understanding the organic chemistry behind it, I can tell you this: it’s not hype. It’s science. And when used thoughtfully, it’s a little dose of black magic in the best possible way.
With love and detoxified everything,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.
References
American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. Position statement: single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol. 1997.
Vale JA, Kulig K. Position paper: gastric lavage. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2004.
Cooney DO. Activated Charcoal in Medical Applications. Marcel Dekker, 1995.
Gupta VK, et al. Adsorption of dyes and heavy metals using activated carbon. J Environ Manage. 2009.
Brooks JK, Bashirelahi N, Reynolds MA. Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: A literature review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017.
