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!