A literature review on charcoal toothpastes
ReviewClinical and laboratory data are insufficient to support safety and efficacy claims. Online ads contained unsupported claims, and a third of the toothpastes contained bentonite4.
Activated charcoal
Cosmetic activated charcoal carries the INCI CHARCOAL POWDER: a carbonaceous material obtained by heating organic substances, classified as abrasive, absorbent and opacifying by CosIng1. Reviews find no evidence for the efficacy or safety claimed for toothpastes34. This page sticks to the material and its roles in formulation.
Activated charcoal at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1 and Regulation (EC) 1223/20092. The INCI does not specify "activation": it depends on the supplier.
- INCI name
- CHARCOAL POWDERDistinct from CHARCOAL EXTRACT, which is an extract of this powder
- Other names
- Activated charcoal, plant charcoalCharcoal powder; "activated" and "plant" are commercial terms
- CAS number
- 16291-96-6CosIng adds 7440-44-0 as the generic carbon number1
- EC number
- 240-383-3
- CosIng description
- Dried carbonaceous material obtained by heating organic substancesDried carbonaceous material1
- CosIng functions
- Abrasive, absorbent, opacifying"Abrasive, absorbent, opacifying"1
- Appearance
- Very fine black powderStains surfaces and textiles: plan for it in formulation and packaging
- EU status
- Permitted, no dedicated annexNo annex listed in CosIng. Not to be confused with carbon black CI 77266 or bone black CI 77267, colorants of Annex IV12
- Allergen to declare
- No
- Safety
- Common cosmetic use, limited evidenceA dermatology review judges use generally safe, with no proof of the claimed effects3. Ask the supplier for purity data (PAHs, metals)
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Toothpastes and tooth powdersOral care
Coffee stains: charcoal does no better
LaboratoryWhiteness progressed in all three groups, more with charcoal, but the overall color change did not differ significantly between groups5.
Bovine teeth: no whitening effect as advertised
LaboratoryColor did not differ significantly between groups at 1 week and 1 month, and enamel roughness did not increase with charcoal toothpastes6.
Enamel roughness: conflicting results
LaboratoryIn the first study, roughness increased with the charcoal toothpaste without changing microhardness, and the color change was smaller than with a peroxide gel7. In the second, roughness and abrasion were higher with charcoal and a medium brush8.
Powder versus paste: more calcium released with the powder
LaboratoryCharcoal powder and paste both increased roughness and decreased microhardness, with no color change. The powder contained no detectable fluoride and released more calcium9.
SkinSkincare
Charcoal in cleansers and soaps: claims outrun evidence
ReviewUse of activated charcoal is generally safe, but no clinical evidence supports commercial claims, nor exfoliating or anti-aging effects3.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence on activated charcoal is limited and mixed: the results below are mostly laboratory tests on extracted or bovine teeth, and no skin study was retained. This page repeats no purification claim.
Which products can use activated charcoal?
Our white label catalog includes 2 formulas with activated charcoal: the key active in 2 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
2Raw materials and more
Activated charcoal, kaolin or bentonite?
Three mineral or carbonaceous powders used in masks and oral care. The table describes official functions, not an efficacy ranking.
| Activated charcoal | Kaolin | Bentonite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Carbonaceous material obtained by heating1 | Clay made mostly of kaolinite10 | Colloidal clay made mostly of montmorillonite11 |
| INCI | CHARCOAL POWDER1 | KAOLIN10 | BENTONITE11 |
| CosIng functions | Abrasive, absorbent, opacifying1 | Abrasive, absorbent, anti-caking, bulking, colorant, opacifying10 | Absorbent, bulking, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling11 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 2 formulas (toothpaste, tooth powder) | 10 formulas | 1 formula as a supporting ingredient |
Frequently asked questions about activated charcoal
What is activated charcoal in cosmetics?
It is a black carbonaceous powder obtained by heating organic materials. Its INCI is CHARCOAL POWDER, CAS number 16291-96-6; CosIng recognizes three roles: abrasive, absorbent and opacifying1.
Does activated charcoal have proven benefits for skin?
No skin trial was retained. A dermatology review notes that use is generally safe but that commercial claims are not supported by clinical evidence3. On the label, stick to the recognized roles: absorbent, abrasive, colorant.
Does an activated charcoal toothpaste whiten teeth?
Does activated charcoal damage enamel?
Results diverge. Several laboratory studies show more enamel roughness or abrasion, especially with a medium brush78; one study on bovine teeth found no increase in roughness6. The powder releases more calcium and contained no detectable fluoride9. Charcoal grain size and the formula matter: run abrasivity tests on the finished product.
Tooth powder or charcoal toothpaste: is there a difference?
In a laboratory study, the charcoal powder released more calcium than the paste and contained no detectable fluoride9. Our catalog offers both formats, with peppermint as the flavor, and the powder includes bentonite.
Are activated charcoal and plant charcoal the same thing?
They are commercial terms. The INCI is CHARCOAL POWDER in both cases1; "activation" and origin (wood, coconut, bamboo) are checked in the supplier specification, along with purity (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals).
Can you manufacture a charcoal toothpaste or tooth powder for my brand?
Our ISO 22716 certified laboratory offers 2 formulas with activated charcoal (toothpaste and tooth powder) to customize, or a custom formula. Free samples are included.
Further reading
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry CHARCOAL POWDER (CAS 16291-96-6, EC 240-383-3). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- European Union. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated version of May 1, 2025, annexes II to V. eur-lex.europa.eu
- Sanchez N, Fayne R, Burroway B. Charcoal: an ancient material with a new face Clin Dermatol. 2020;38(2):262-264. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.025
- Brooks JK, Bashirelahi N, Reynolds MA. Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: a literature review J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(9):661-670. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.05.001
- Fernandes AJ, Agnihotri R. Evaluation of the efficacy of a charcoal-based tooth whitening dentifrice on coffee stains: an in vitro study Can J Dent Hyg. 2023;57(2):123-131. PMID 37464993
- Shaikh M, Sung H, Lopez T, et al. Effect of charcoal dentifrices on tooth whitening and enamel surface roughness Am J Dent. 2021;34(6):295-299. PMID 35051315
- Santos GC, Baia JCP, Ribeiro MES, et al. Does the whitening dentifrice containing activated charcoal interfere with the properties of dental enamel? Microhardness, surface roughness and colorimetry analyzes J Clin Exp Dent. 2024;16(3):e243-e249. doi:10.4317/jced.60785
- Aquino Carmen FT, Pro Romero RJ, Espinoza Salcedo AR, Herrera-Plasencia PM. In vitro evaluation of tooth enamel abrasion and roughness using toothpaste with and without activated charcoal: an SEM analysis Dent J (Basel). 2025;13(10):482. doi:10.3390/dj13100482
- Cutrim EAC, Penha KJS, Silva PBD, et al. Optical, mechanical, and chemical impact of brushing with activated charcoal toothpowder and toothpaste on dental enamel: an in vitro evaluation Materials (Basel). 2024;17(24):6104. doi:10.3390/ma17246104
- European Commission. CosIng, entry KAOLIN (CAS 1332-58-7, EC 310-194-1). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- European Commission. CosIng, entry BENTONITE (CAS 1302-78-9, EC 215-108-5). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
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