Chances are, you've seen quite a few black-hued beauty products at the drugstore and Sephora. The good news is, when it comes to your skin, charcoal proves to be a whole lot more useful.

"Activated charcoal has both antibacterial and antifungal properties," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., dermatologist in New York City and author of "Skin Rules." "It helps unclog pores, and it absorbs environmental pollutants, oil, and dirt off the skin." If you have oily skin, you may find charcoal to be particularly useful, as it helps rid the skin of excess oil -- and this can even reduce acne, says Jaliman. She recommends looking for it in a face mask. Since it sits on your face longer than, say, face wash, it's more effective at drawing out impurities from your pores.

A few to try...

Image via charcoalmask.co

There's a reason why this peel-off mask is uber-popular among skin care junkies: It packs a serious one-two-three punch. Formulated with activated charcoal, calcium montmorillonite clay, vitamin C, and rosemary leaf extract, it absorbs excess oils, exfoliates skin, shrinks the look of pores, brightens, and soothes inflammation. Plus, it peels off -- which is pretty effing cool.

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For a super-luxe option, look no further than this face mask, which promotes oil balance and pumps up the brightness on skin. While activated charcoal absorbs oils, this mask is also chock full of other good-for-your-skin ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, clay, and eucalyptus leaf extract.

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You don't have to shell out major dough to reap the skin care benefits of activated charcoal -- if you're on a budget, just head to your local drugstore and pick up this scrub/mask combo. In addition to oil-absorbing activated charcoal, it's also got black sugar, which exfoliates.

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Who among us doesn't want a whiter smile -- but is activated charcoal really the ingredient to get the job done?

The theory is that just as activated charcoal binds to nasty stuff in the body, it can do the same in the mouth -- which could potentially lead to whiter teeth and healthier gums, says Nancy Gill, D.D.S., a dentist in Colorado.

The benefits are questionable, however, says Gill, and charcoal is really abrasive. According to the American Dental Association, using harsh polishers like charcoal on your teeth can wear away their protective enamel, leaving teeth even yellower than before. Ouch!