Activated charcoal toothpaste and mask!
I’m a huge fan of Dave Asprey. He’s the guy who made Bulletproof Coffee the sensation that it is now. He’s also a bio-hacker. I listen to his podcast and read his blogposts. Some of it is pretty intense. I mean, I’m just trying to eat my vegetables and Dave Asprey is trying to live to be 180 years old. So basically, I like his stuff and listen to his stuff but I don’t do the stuff myself. I’m working on it, though. I’d like to think that Dave would give me a pat on the back at my latest attempt at beauty-hacking (see what I did there).
I recently read Dave Asprey’s article called 8 Detox Methods that Really Work. One of the things he talks about is activated charcoal. Now in this article he says that it is a form of carbon that has a large surface area and a powerful negative charge that has been used through the ages and is still used to treat poisoning victims.
Can you believe that charcoal binds to chemicals like aflatoxin, BPA and common pesticides with positively charged molecules?! Basically, the charcoal and harmful chemicals bind together and get removed from the body through normal bowel movement. Sweet! Or not so sweet…
He goes on to point out that charcoal can also hook up with good things you might have wanted to keep in your body like supplements. I guess the best thing to do is to take charcoal separately from your supplements so that you don’t waste them. Literally.
So, in order to absorb many of the toxins that get released into your body, take charcoal along with exercise or a session in a steamy sauna.
After reading more about charcoal I realized I shouldn’t have my greens with it.
I got a little excited about all this since I recognized that Beautycounter offers a couple of products with activated charcoal in them that I love. I had to see if there were benefits to using charcoal externally, as well.
As it turns out, there are. Surprise, surprise: chemistry is chemistry, I guess. In the same way that charcoal can absorb toxins inside the body, activated charcoal can bind to unwanted dirt, oil and toxins on the surface of your skin, as well. However, make sure that you only use it a couple of times a week as it will bind to wanted oils as well as unwanted oils. Give it up for activated charcoal–it does not discriminate! It can also speed the healing process and relieve symptoms from a bee sting or cut when applied topically. I have to say I’m impressed.
For a while now, I’ve become a little concerned about the toxins in my work environment. If you didn’t know, I have a cleaning company and I’ve been filling in at some of the job sites. I use the cleaners they have on site. These are cleaners I would never want or use in my home. They are commercial grade, heavy duty, noxious, toxic cleaners. Yikes! When I get home after a day of cleaning, I have no doubts that I have been exposed to toxins.
I decided that the best thing I could do for myself was to begin a detox regimen. On the days that I clean, I come home and make myself a drink with activated charcoal. (I had some lying around. When I run out of this stuff I’ll probably get some charcoal pills from Dave Asprey at Bulletproof.com.) I brush my teeth with charcoal toothpaste, wash with Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar and put on my Beautycounter Purifying Charcoal Mask.
Today was the first day I’ve tried it, but I have to tell you, I am loving this detox. I feel radiant. I will be doing this again! It’s just an easy way to fight off environmental toxins.
If you are interested in trying the Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar or Beautycounter Purifying Mask, message me and I can get a sample to you. These products feel spa-worthy and are made to Beautycounter’s strictest standards –without the use of harmful chemicals.
