Until recently, when you thought of charcoal you probably thought of your backyard grill. But these days, charcoal (of the activated variety) has become the grooming and wellness ingredient of the moment. From face masks and soaps to toothbrushes and air purifiers, it's popping up everywhere. Why? Well, because it's so damn effective. Activated charcoal, which is carbon that's highly absorbent, isn't new. It's been used in hospital emergency rooms for years to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses. It works by attaching to toxins and absorbing them before they're absorbed by your body. And in these products, the charcoal works like a magnet—attracting all the dirt, oil and other impurities you don't want on your skin or in your body.