Activated charcoal meets booze in this eerie black cocktail recipe, which is bound to throw you into the holiday spirit.

If alcohol can’t do it, what will? This festive alcoholic beverage spooks and delights your senses with each and every sip. It is sweetened with agave, boosted with bitters, and even benefits your health! Have an extra piece of candy knowing that the activated charcoal in this cocktail is working overtime to detox your system!

Activated charcoal is quite popular these days, particularly for its detoxification benefits. Activated charcoal traps toxins and other chemicals into its millions of tiny pores. In fact, it can adsorb thousands of times its own weight, and not only in particles but also in gas. Because of this adsorptive power, it helps to shepherd poisons and other harmful substances from the body in an effective manner, leaving you less bloated, lighter and feeling less toxic.

When paired with alcohol, activated charcoal helps to negate the effects of acidic liquor on your body. Whether it succeeds in doing so or not may still be up for debate, but at least the idea sounds inspiring enough to try. And, don’t worry, activated charcoal doesn’t taste like anything, so it won’t add any off-kilter flavor to your drink.

I personally like the Bulletproof activated charcoal for this cocktail recipe because the powder is sourced from coconut shells. You can use whatever charcoal you find at your local health store or online–but please don’t pull charcoals from your barbecue! Not at all the same thing!

Activated Charcoal Black Cocktail Recipe

Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 capsule (500 mg) activated charcoal powder (twist open the capsule for the powder)
• 2 ounces tequila
• 1-ounce red grapefruit juice
• ¾ ounce agave
• ½ ounce lime juice
• 3 ounces club soda

Directions

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake to combine. Pour through a sieve into a tall glass. Enjoy!

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The post Spooky, Boozy, Activated Charcoal Cocktail Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ok. We are not talking putting placenta or urine on your face, here. But there are some pretty strange cosmetic ingredients out there. Find out which are worth it and where to save your hard earned cash.

Some women (and men, for that matter) would do almost anything to stay young looking and gorgeous. But how far down on the weird ingredient scale are you willing to go for great skin?

5 Weird (but Wonderful) Cosmetic Ingredients for Healthy Skin

1. Charcoal: Not new to the beauty scene, but some may still have trouble seeing it as part of their skincare routine. Activated charcoal (charcoal infused with oxygen) is the type used in skincare. It is super absorbent and very good at drawing impurities out of the skin, making it an ideal choice for those dealing with acne. It also tightens skin and reduces inflammation, which is why you’ll see it in anti-aging products. Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask, One Love Organics The Cleansing Sponge: Bamboo Charcoal Heart, May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver

2. Fermented ingredients: Yes, probiotics are all the rage right about now. And for good reason. They tone down inflammation and have antibacterial properties. They’ve also been shown to create a barrier on skin that blocks dirt and bacteria, helping to prevent breakouts. Obvi, these ingredients are great for acne and premature aging. The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner, One Love Organics Oh Mega Calming Chia Oil, Marie Veronique Redness Relief Serum, Marie Veronique Pre + Probiotic Daily Mist

3. Bamboo: Why on earth would you ever need bamboo in cosmetics? Bamboo extract and powder are ultra-absorbent, and often added to natural deodorants and facial powders to help soak up wetness. These fibers also work in haircare to help pump up the volume. Briogeo Hair Care Be Gentle, Be Kind Sulfate Free Shampoo, One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo Powder, ILIA Beauty Fade Into You Finishing Powder

4. Dead Sea Mud: Mud is just mud, right? Nope. Mud from the Dead Sea is high in minerals and vital nutrients that carry oxygen to skin cells, improving tone and elasticity, promoting a youthful appearance. It is also excellent for drawing toxins out of the skin, and calms acne and other irritated skin conditions. Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, B Leaf Botanics Revive Dead Sea Mud Mask

5. Salt: We may use it most days, but on our skin? Yep. Sea salt is rejuvenating, toning down inflammation and softening dry or rough skin. It is also another skin detoxifier and boosts circulation, boosting glow factor. Aster & Bay Bathing Salts Clary Sage + Grapefruit, Earth Tu Face Dead Sea Salt Scrub, Earth Tu Face Rosemary + Salt Lotion

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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The post 5 Weird Cosmetic Ingredients That Actually Work appeared first on EcoSalon.

The current It ingredient in skincare? Hint: it’s black, sooty, and more often associated with backyard barbecues than cosmetics. That’s right, charcoal is making an appearance on the cosmetics front. Find out how activated charcoal benefits the skin.

The use of charcoal is not new. It has long been utilized in the medical field to treat poisoning by chemicals, drugs, and snake bites, and is a common ingredient in water filters.

The current trend has taken the use of activated charcoal to the home. As in, it’s in everything from detox cleanses (in the form of pills and juices) to teeth whiteners (by adding the powder to toothpaste) to skin treatments.

Are we talking the briquettes from our grill? Sort of, but not exactly. Don’t go rubbing those ashes on your skin.

Activated charcoal means the carbon is infused with oxygen and is prepared for human ingestion (in the case of poisoning or detox) and skincare products. This oxygenation creates a super porous surface, increasing its ability to absorb matter and toxins. Possibly the most absorbent cosmetic ingredient out there, activated charcoal is said to have the ability to absorb thousands of times its own weight.

This super absorbency, plus antibacterial properties, makes activated charcoal an ideal ingredient for oily and acne prone skin types. It is used in acne products to draw out impurities, heal pimples, and prevent further breakouts.

Also an anti-aging ingredient, activated charcoal is said to tighten pores and smooth the skin. It also reduces inflammation, which is significant in preventing premature aging.

Most often used in masks, the fine black powder also makes appearances in soaps and washes. Proponents claim it decongests the skin and calms irritation, leaving behind a clear, even toned complexion.

Shiva Rose is one such fan. The actress and holistic beauty fan takes her love of the ingredient beyond skincare. Rose uses activated charcoal to treat bug bites and as a teeth whitener. She also took charcoal capsules as part of a detox cleanse, to absorb impurities from the gastrointestinal tract.

This all sounds great, right? With no solid evidence as yet to support activated charcoal benefits, the verdict is still out on this trendy ingredient. Still, those who take part claim amazing results.

Now for the big question…Is activated charcoal safe? If charcoal is sometimes made from petroleum, this would be a health hazard. While the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database gives activated charcoal a “0” hazard ranking, its safety would come down to sourcing. Find out if the charcoal in products you shop is made from petroleum or a healthier source, like coconut shells or bamboo. As with any ingredient sourcing query, read brand ingredient commitments or contact the brand with your question if you are not sure.

Like to try activated charcoal in skincare for yourself? Following are products from safe organic brands that include the sooty stuff. Or try your hand at a DIY charcoal face mask.

Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask

Soapwalla Kitchen Glycerin Soap Activated Charcoal & Petitgrain

May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver

Dr. Sponge™ Facial and Body Cleansing Sponge Charcoal

La Bella Figura Bio Active Purifying Mask

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The post Activated Charcoal Benefits to Your Skin appeared first on EcoSalon.

Has your daily latte habit taken its toll on your teeth? Learn how to whiten teeth without subjecting yourself to unhealthy chemicals.

You brush twice a day, and floss before bed. You don’t eat a ton of candy or drink soda. Your last three dental visits were cavity free! Essentially your teeth are completely perfect except for one, small problem: the color. A lifetime of eating and drinking causes teeth to become yellowed–it’s not you, it’s just a fact of life. But stained and discolored teeth aren’t very aesthetically pleasing these days, and they can even affect gum health.

There was a time when only dentists were taught how to whiten teeth (meaning an expensive cosmetic visit that your insurance probably doesn’t cover). To keep up with demand, however, personal care companies began launching over-the-counter tooth whitening products. Now there’s everything from toothpaste to mouthwash emblazoned with “whitening” on the label. And how exactly do they whiten your teeth? With bleaching peroxides that actually change the natural tooth color. Even if it’s done professionally, there are still side effects from whitening teeth in this manner, including tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of the soft tissues of the mouth, particularly the gums. Those interested should know that there’s no guarantee that this type of teeth whitening won’t make them sick. “Patients should be cautioned that not enough information is available to support unsupervised long-term and/or repeated use of bleaching products,” states the American Dental Association.

With 80,000 chemicals swirling around us in everyday products, I’m not about to put bleach in my mouth, thank you very much. Thankfully, it’s possible to learn how to whiten teeth without making yourself sick.

How To Whiten Teeth Without Putting Bleach In Your Mouth

1. Eat more strawberries – This red summer fruit contains vitamin C and malic acid, a natural astringent that’s capable of removing surface stains and clearing away plaque.

2. Kaolin clay – Also called “china clay” this substance is commonly used in mineral makeup recipes but can also be used in a wide variety of bath and body products. According to Woman’s Day, kaolin clay “delivers a gentle abrasive action to teeth and can be used as a natural whitening agent. For breath freshening, a drop of peppermint or clove essential oil can be added. Dampen your toothbrush and dip it into the mixture, then brush. To avoid damaging your enamel, don’t use this method more than once a week.”

3. Oil pulling – This is an ancient detoxification technique that’s recently become hip again. Basically, it involves using an unrefined, cold-pressed, organic oil like mouth wash for about 20 seconds each day. Although it sounds totally weird, there’s actually some scientific evidence that oil pulling can improve many aspects of oral health, which is good news for those who want to learn how to whiten teeth naturally.

4. Activated Charcoal – Charcoal has been used internally and topically to draw out toxins for centuries (in fact, it’s probably in your water filter). It is considered completely safe and non-toxic by the FDA. In order to become activated “charcoal is ground very fine; and then it is placed in a steam chamber. This opens up the charcoal and exposes more of its surfaces, so it can adsorb much more,” reports the blog One Good Thing. Activated charcoal is though to be one of the safest ways to whiten and deodorize your teeth. “Just dip a clean, wet toothbrush into the powdered charcoal and brush.”

5. Baking Soda – According to Dr. Oz (and many others) learning how to whiten teeth naturally starts with baking soda. Just combine baking soda and lemon juice–or baking soda, salt and a drop of peppermint essential oil–and apply using your toothbrush. The particles in the baking soda polish the surface of your teeth, while a chemical reaction with the water lightens stains.

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