10.21.2015

So I Brushed My Teeth With Charcoal

If there's one thing about me you need to know, it's that I am obsessed with having The Whitest Teeth in the World...on a budget. Let's not get cray.

If there's one more thing you need to know about me, it's that I will try all sorts of crazy beauty products/trends. Snail sleep cream, anyone?

So what's the latest craze?

Charcoal.

After hearing a buzz about it for months, I decided to try it out for myself.

I made it three weeks.

Stay with me, y'all. I got my reasons!

After some research I decided on activated charcoal powder. Charcoal has been in skin products for quite a while now, but teeth whitening is a newer use.

The one I chose was My Magic Mud. You can get it online for around $23.

While this is a steep price for a whitening product, you'll get 150 uses (3 months) from it. So what makes it so fancy?
  • Contains activated coconut shell charcoal, mint, and orange extract powder
  • All natural and non-GMO
  • Whitens, polishes and reduces sensitivity
  • Safe to swallow and child friendly
Sounds great, right?

The powder is very fine, odorless, and has no scent or taste. It is not gritty.

To use, dip your brush in the powder and brush for 2 minutes. Do not use a toothpaste after. It is preferred that you use this before bed. Your teeth will be whiter in 2 weeks.

Well, y'all, normally I vow to use new beauty stuff techniques for at least a month. I used it for 3 weeks and quit--here are my thoughts:
  • I noticed NO change. None. I took pics every day. Sometimes my teeth seemed GREY. Sometimes they seemed DARKER. But overall, the DANG SAME. 
  • Finding the right ratio of powder was ridiculous. 
  • It was MESSY. I looked like I was casting a spell with black powder. Whitus Teethus! Poof.
  • It was kind of fun, since your teeth/mouth turn jet black while you're brushing. Perfect for Halloween! ;)
  • The product suggests using it in the shower, but I found I made an even bigger mess that way.
  • I had to rinse and rinse and rinse and floss every single time to remove all of the powder.
  • Since you don't use toothpaste, your breath will be even worse in the morning.
I chose this because so many of you love natural products (lost your job? rub some coconut oil on yourself! magic!), but since many of you confessed you don't even wash off your makeup, I don't think you'd like this since it is a long process to do. 

There is so much clean up involved, the whole process takes forever (brushing 2 minutes, rinsing at least 6 times, flossing away the black powder, cleaning out the sink and counter top), and I noticed no change in my teeth. Skip!

If you want to try this, there are other brands that are cheaper, with different ingredients (like charcoal from bamboo). There are even charcoal toothbrushes (I ordered mine 2 months ago and am still waiting, so no report yet on those).

So I brushed my teeth with charcoal. And I didn't like it.

Have you tried this?
What do you use to whiten your teeth?


Extra Elle:
  • Thanks to LaNae and Caroline for the sweet birthday cards. And thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. It was my first birthday since my Daddy died, but your kinds words made the day easier.
  • I hope you join in for tomorrow's link up: Story Behind the Pic. Just choose any pic (or more) and give me the story behind it. Look here for more info.
PS: I currently use Colgate Optic White toothpaste to whiten my teeth. I didn't include a pic here because (a) it was sent to me for review and I didn't want this to seem like an ad, (b)I have before/after pics from using the toothpaste that I can email to ya if you want to see. I didn't post here because I didn't want people to get confused or for those who skip to the end and don't read the post.

52 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review, I will definitely be staying away. Teeth whitening products are so hit or miss. Have you tried Dr. George's Dental White? It's super cheap and I sweat by it!
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  2. Oh my gosh! Thanks for this, Elle. I'm a coffee drinker, and was thinking of a natural way to whiten my teeth and did think of trying this. Good to know it's a pain to use and didn't really work. You saved me $$$ again...mwah:D

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing this gurlie, my teeth have needed some serious whitening help over the years since I'm such a big coffee and tea drinker. I've been wanting to try this, but now I'll just stick to good ol' whitening strips ;-)

    Green Fashionista

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  4. Good to know this wasn't really effective! I had thought about using charcoal but the thought kinda grossed me out so now I'm glad I didn't waste my time! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  5. I had never heard of this before. I am always for trying crazy new beauty remedies, but it sounds like I will be passing on this one and sticking to my Crest White Strips!

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  6. I had no idea this was a thing. No idea. I'll wait for your report on the toothpaste but it doesn't sound like something I'll be using any time soon...

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  7. I had read two other people posting about this and was thinking about trying it. I am still on the fence. Someone told me that they were noticing a different. They used some $7 Nature's Way charchoal from the drugstore. I wonder if it matters which kind you use? Either way, it is unanimous that this is a huge mess. Thanks for always being honest with your reviews!

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  8. well that looks crazy - and of course it didn't work. well and i'm sure we are all glad you tried for us! and that coconut oil line cracked me up lol. so real though :)

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  9. Oh my goodness! I have never heard of this!! I feel like it would totally freak me out haha! Thanks for the review, it's really difficult to find a good teeth whitening!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

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  10. wow, sounds like such a mess and way too much work!! I'll just stick to crest white strips!

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  11. Thanks for the review! I haven't heard of charcoal for teeth whitening, and I'm kinda relieved to hear it doesn't work! Otherwise I would be the first to go out and buy it right away ;)

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  12. Oh wow that doesn't sound any fun at all & never heard of using charcoal for your teeth before! Thanks for the review and saving many of us time and money.
    Marta
    www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com

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  13. I've never heard of this one and it sounds like it's a disaster to use! Thanks for trying it out and sharing your review!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  14. I have never heard of this before. Thanks for your honest review, now I won't waste my time trying it.

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  15. What is your go to!? I drink so much coffee I am in dire need of something good but hate the teeth sensitivity of constantly doing crest or other strips ... my dentist office does the Zoom whitening but it's like $300 ... have you done it? That may be the easiest/quickest option!

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  16. I've always been skeptical about charcoal - I don't think there's much science based data around it outside of its uses for poisoning. It just seems like another gimmicky fad to me. Sorry you had to put up with it for three weeks!

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  17. What a nightmare to try! Thanks for doing the dirty work. I will definitely stay away. :)

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  18. I'm pretty sure I'll be staying away from this LOL! xo, Biana

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  19. I've heard of using charcoal for teeth whitening but I was a bit sceptical. Thank you for your honest review, I don't think I will end up attempting charcoal for teeth whitening.

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  20. I honestly think the whole 'natural way' has been taken up to a whole new ridiculous level by some. Natural ways are good but within reasonable range. Thank you for trying this out and debunking another 'sworn by, best natural way', Elle. You're the best! xx

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  21. I hadn't heard about this but it sounds laborious. I will definitely skip like you said. I like my minty fresh breath!

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  22. oh man, that sucks it didn't work and you weren't a fan. i've heard a lot about it, but am not interested enough to actually try it haha.

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  23. I was hoping you'd say this worked so well :/ I really want some easy ways to whiten my teeth a bit more without having to pay an arm and a leg.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  24. Eek! This sounds like a nightmare :/

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  25. I'm so glad for your honest review on this - it IS everywhere right now & everyone is claiming its the 2nd coming for toothfairies!!! I cant imagine it being that great.

    Your comment about the coconut oil - magic - I literally snorted laughed! :)

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  26. Ok, WHEW! So glad this didn't work out, because I just can't get over the thought of having charcoal in my mouth... like in almost raw form! ha! Love your honest reviews

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  27. My friend snapchatted me pictured of that and i was like hell's no. Looks like a mess and totally creepy. I just tend to use the crest whitening rinse.

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  28. Well, you are far braver than I would be!!! Good for you for trying it! :)

    Melissa | So About What I Said

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  29. I love your up for anything attitude! Saves us readers a lot of time, trouble, and money. Can't wait to see what you try next!

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  30. I have been doing this too but with a different product and am actually having really good results. I will be blogging about it in another couple of weeks! It is so weird though!

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  31. Thanks for the total honesty Elle! I will be passing on this big time and I was even considering doing this so thats super timely! What a mess!

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  32. Whoa, that does sound like such a mess and such a pain! Thanks for trying it though so that we don't have to! :)

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  33. When I saw your title I was so intrigued! Too bad it doesn't work. I definitely wouldn't want to go to all that trouble either!!

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  34. It doesn't sound too pleasant, and I've heard that this is very bad for your enamel.

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  35. I have not tried this before. It seems too messy for me. I'm thankful for your review!

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  36. Thanks for the info. Would love for you to stop by my latest post.

    XoXo
    Alli
    www.absolutelyalli.blogspot.com

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  37. I should have read this whole post before snagging a charcoal lump from the grill. (This doesn't work either, apparently.)

    Actually, my teeth have always been quite white. My mom even said, "It's no fair - your teeth are so white and straight!" To which I answered, "Why is that not fair? Is it like a good restaurant in a bad neighborhood??"

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  38. This one is interesting...what will they come up with next? I think I'll just stick to whitening strips. ;) Thanks for doing the leg work on this one!

    Xo Ally

    www.allysoninwonderland.com

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  39. Using charcoal on teeth is so interesting! Such a bummer it didn't work though. Thanks for the honest review!

    xo,
    Angela

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  40. Wow...who knew? What will they come up with next?!

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  41. I use toothpaste after mine... no way could I not use anything! lol

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  42. I just cannot bring myself to brush my teeth with charcoal. I feel like I'd hate everything about it, including and especially the mess.

    "Whitus teethus" made me LOL

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  43. Oh no! I have been seeing this all over pinterest and have been wanting to try it! I will definitely not get this brand! Thanks for the review!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  44. thanx for sharing

    http://carrieslifestyle.com
    Posts online about Rio, Amalfi, Amsterdam...

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  45. I just have this mental picture of how impossible it is to brush and floss directly after eating Oreos. haha. I've been really wanting a natural way to brush my teeth. I really don't care about whiteness, more clean and bad breath reducing. I'm bummed by your review. /: But thanks for sharing anyway!

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  46. I've been curious about this! That's a shame it didn't work! I can see how this would be messy too! I'd like to know what you think about the charcoal toothbrush though!! And my teeth and super sensitive so a lot of those whitening treatments make my teeth hurt. I do love charcoal in my skincare stuff though!

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  47. I used a toothpaste made with charcoal and went through an entire tube. It didn't make any difference and was pretty odd. And yes, I am all for natural, but this is a step too far for me - I mean, if you don't remove EVERYTHING and then smile at somebody... Should I even continue? ;) :) :)

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  48. I have totally considered doing this because it's a natural remedy, but now... eek! Not sure at all. Flossing charcoal out of my teeth would drive me crazy! I never knew it was so messy.

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  49. Yikes! I've never heard of this before! Thanks for the honest review! I can tell you I won't be doing this. Normal toothpaste for me, thanks!
    ~Sara

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  50. Elle, you are a rockstar for trying this for us so we don't have to waste our time or pennies! I'm with you on loving a white smile so I'm glad I won't have to try this one!

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