How We Test
We aggregate millions of product reviews, scour other websites for their professional opinions - then we test the products ourselves. We do not accept free products from manufacturers, and our only goal is to give you the best recommendations possible. However, if you buy from the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
- Best Nespresso - July 25, 2024
- Best Ashwagandha - July 25, 2024
- Best Toys For 1 Year Old Boys - July 25, 2024
Activated charcoal has been around for a long time, but has seen a huge uptick in interest, over the last few years. Claims that it can be used for everything from IBS relief to teeth whitening, have made it extremely popular for many different demographics.
Of course, this also means that there has been a huge influx of manufacturers promoting activated charcoal. But with supplements, it’s very important that quality is high, and the ingredients are trusted.
We’ve done the legwork, scoured tens of thousands of online reviews, tested the supplements ourselves – and determined the best picks. As with all supplements, make sure you speak with your doctor before beginning any new regimen.
Our Top Pick
Nature’s Way Activated Charcoal
With over 2,754 positive online reviews, this activated charcoal is our pick for the best on the market. Nature’s Way is a reliable manufacturer, and we love the low price point. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
NaturaLife Labs Organic Activated Charcoal
With over 329 stellar online reviews, this organic activated charcoal is a great pick. It is more potent than many other products, so for the quality-minded, it’s a perfect choice.
Bulletproof Coconut Charcoal
Bulletproof became famous for their butter coffee – and this activated charcoal is just as well done. With over 369 positive online reviews, it’s also coconut flavored – making it better tasting than many plain activated charcoal supplements.
Schizandu Organics Activated Charcoal
This activated charcoal powder from Schizandu is organic and very pure. With over 275 glowing online reviews, and a near-perfect score – it’s a great pick, and as a bonus, it also tastes like coconut. Definitely recommended.
Viva Doria Virgin Activated Charcoal
With a great budget price, this activated charcoal has over 1,345 glowing online reviews, and is a perfect pick for anyone looking to save money. It’s also unique in that it’s made from virgin carbon, and is hardwood derived.
Zen Charcoal Hardwood Activated Charcoal
This zen charcoal has over 2,276 stellar online reviews, and is highly affordable. A great choice if you’re looking to make an activated charcoal face mask, to help clear up your skin.
Anthony’s Activated Charcoal
This food grade activated charcoal from Anthony’s is a certified gluten free, and is very finely ground. Some reviewers have noted it works great for making soap, although we did not try this implementation ourselves.
Purely Beneficial Organic Activated Coconut Charcoal
This activated charcoal from Purely Beneficial is coconut flavored, and seems to be more potent than some other brands. It’s GMP certified, and has a sterling reputation online.
Swanson Activated Charcoal
Swanson is well-regarded for their quality manufacturing of vitamins and supplements, and this activated charcoal is no different. With over 349 stellar online reviews, and a great price point, it’s highly recommended.
Divine Bounty Organic Activated Charcoal
This steam-activated charcoal is made from coconut shells, and has over 192 glowing online reviews. Many users note its ability to help with IBS symptoms – though we did not test for this feature, personally.
What Is Activated Charcoal?
The word “charcoal” might bring to mind a distinct smell during camping trips or an unsuccessful attempt at cooking. However, activated charcoal is a far cry from both.
This health product is made from carbon-dense materials burned an extremely high temperature. After it is processed, the end result is a porous, dark powder known activated charcoal. The intense heat activates the charcoal by cleaning it of any extra molecules, freeing the pores up to bond and absorb other materials.
In fact, activated charcoal is known for its incredible absorption powers. This porous and odorless powder helps the body by absorbing all unwanted, poisonous or unhealthy elements — and leaving in the good. Read on to discover how activated charcoal can be used to combat bloat and toxins while improving skincare, dental care, among other helpful benefits.
Does Activated Charcoal Help Relieve Bloating?
There is nothing worse than a gassy and irritated gut. Excess gas is caused by bacteria consuming sugars progressing through the digestive tract; in other words, gas and bloat is a by-product of fermentation. Luckily, activated charcoal has been proven to aid against bloat.
How does this powder help someone after a large meal? As mentioned above, activated charcoal is extremely porous because of the extreme heat in the activation process. The porous powder is extra receptive to bonding with new molecules — especially gas molecules!
Some studies also suggest that when taken with other meds that break up the gas particles, activated charcoal is even better at bonding with these gaseous molecules. Using activated charcoal to relieve digestion and stomach pains might be best to first try it once or twice first as a test.
Why Use Activated Charcoal As Toothpaste And Teeth Whitening?
You can be seeing the benefits of activated charcoal before it even leaves your mouth. Teeth whitening charcoal and activated charcoal toothpaste are becoming more and more common. The same absorption powers can be harnessed to lift the stains off teeth.
Though a new contender in the world of dental health, activated charcoal is being used as a toothpaste to make your pearly whites more white. The abrasive powder may help strip stains from your teeth.
Activated charcoal toothpaste can be a jarring change from the mint-green or blue toothpaste you might be used to coming out a tube, and it will look strange on your toothbrush. This toothpaste is, as you might expect, black as can be. However, don’t let looks deceive you — in addition to acting as a toothpaste, activated charcoal can also remove any lingering bacteria or toxins in your mouth.
Because the abrasive solution can, over time, wear on teeth, it might be a good idea to use activated charcoal as a teeth whitener only a few times a week. It’s powerful stuff!
Is There A Difference Between Activated Charcoal Capsules, Charcoal Pills, And Charcoal Powder?
There is a myriad of ways to deliver activated charcoal to your body. The form of activated charcoal products — pill, powder, paste — is dependent on what benefit you’re seeking. For example, if you’re looking for gastronomical effects, a pill is the best way to go.
For the most part, there is no difference between the form the activated charcoal. Some activated charcoal differs based on the carbon-based used to create it; for example, coconut, wood, and so on. But largely, despite pill, capsule, or powder, the base of the activated charcoal is the same.
Activated charcoal is used topically or as a skincare product, and so often a topical use comes in the forms of powdered or blended into a face mask or liquid wash. As a skincare product, the activated charcoal works in tandem with other ingredients like coconut oil to draw out bacteria, excess skin cells, and dirt.
It should come as no surprise that activated charcoal is a popular detoxifying acne-fighting ingredient for skincare. By applying a large surface area of activated charcoal to the face, it can absorb and detoxify the skin, leaving a clear complexion.
Active charcoal pills and capsules are used for oral consumption to aid the body internally. Some health companies also sell the powder for food consumption if it’s mixed into a drink. Doctors recommend that when consuming the powder, it is best to find bamboo or coconut-based activated charcoal.
How Does Activated Charcoal Work As A Detox?
Perhaps the most well-known use of activated charcoal is its detoxification. The powder’s most dramatic use can be seen in emergency departments across the USA. Activated charcoal can be a lifesaver during a drug or poison overdose, drawing out the toxins in the digestive system before it reaches the bloodstream.
The trick, of course, is for the black powder to reach the toxin before it gets into the blood. The stomach absorbs alcohol too quickly for activated charcoal to be an effective detoxifier for alcohol. Activated charcoal is great against most pill overdoses and other excess poisons.
Activated charcoal can also help prevent the consequences of food poisoning. Before the poison reaches the blood and causes real damage, the active charcoal absorbs the harmful bacteria. The key, of course, is to take the activated charcoal before the poison has time to be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause damage.
But even as a daily supplement, activated charcoal works hard to absorb toxins and unwanted bacteria from the body. The powder, once ingested, will seize any toxins — and keep them latched on as the body passes both the charcoal and the toxin.
Besides the obvious toxins — drugs and alcohol — activated charcoal also helps flush heavy metals, toxic kidney byproducts, and even viruses from the body. Basically, it’s a hail mary for anything that might be weighing the body down. The non-gmo fine powder acts as an absorbent sponge as it passes through the digestive system.
What Are The Other Health Benefits Of Activated Charcoal?
Many of the health benefits have already been discussed above, but to clarify, activated charcoal acts as a great detoxification agent, as well as a teeth whitener, gas and bloat reliever, and more.
Activated charcoal has other benefits as well. It can improve kidney function. Since the kidneys’ job is to filter out toxins from the body, this fact tracks. It can also help absorb extra cholesterol too.
Some swear by activated charcoal as a way to cure their hangover. Since the body absorbs alcohol so quickly, any hangover remedy has to come as you drink. So, in order to see results the next day, slip in an activated charcoal pill between shots.
The black powder is also an effective natural and vegan deodorant. Some alarming research links conventional deodorant to scary longterm consequences such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Activated charcoal is a natural substitute for these harmful chemicals.
Body odor isn’t caused by sweat, but the bacteria interacting with that sweat in your pits. And of course, the activated charcoal in deodorant is a fantastic way to absorb that stinky bacteria.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning how effective activated charcoal can be as a skincare ingredient. The fine powder can suck up dead skin cells, acne-causing bacteria, smog, and dirt in one powerful face mask. Though its potency makes the activated charcoal better as a once or twice a week skincare routine, rather than daily.
What Are The Side Effects Of Activated Charcoal?
Though activated charcoal has many health benefits, it is important to mention there are known side effects to this fine powder, both internally and topically. Activated charcoal is a potent ingredient with beneficial short term effects. However, too much of any good thing can have side effects.
Notably, the side effects of consuming activated charcoal include constipation, black stools, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is recommended that you drink a full glass of water to prevent dehydration when taking activated charcoal. Additionally, if the powder finds its way into your lungs, it can have serious consequences; so, the powder should not be inhaled.
In other words, while it can help intestinal issues, activated charcoal can be hard on your stomach. It is important to regulate your dosage and timing. For instance, 50 mg of activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning. Regular consumption of activated charcoal should be scaled back considerably.
If you are consuming activated charcoal orally, make sure the source is organic. Many activated charcoals are made from organic coconut shells or hardwood trees. Without additional chemicals, coconut charcoal capsules can be easier on the stomach.
While there are no dangerous or adverse effects of consuming activated charcoal over the counter, it is crucial to monitor your body’s reaction. Often, less is more when it comes to activated charcoal.
What Is The History Of Activated Charcoal?
The use of activated charcoal for health dates all the way back to 1500 B.C. After using charcoal to build ores and bronzes, Egyptians began developing the fine powder to help absorb bad smells on the body and for stomach problems. Activated charcoal was also used in ancient civilizations to purify water.
Because ancient doctors noted the powder’s ability to absorb gases and liquids, it was used in many medical treatments, from epilepsy to vertigo to ulcers.
Throughout history, charcoal has been used as a way to filter out the bad and keep in the good — from the digestive systems to mask filters. And of course, it has found its home in many skin care and health regimens.
The Best Activated Charcoal
There you have it – the top picks for activated charcoal. There are many other great products in the supplement and fitness worlds, so be sure to check out some of our other top reviews.