Activated charcoal is a product of burned hard woods. It provides a natural way to color your soap black.  To achieve a nice black soap,  Activated charcoal is also used as a detoxifying agent in soap.  Activated charcoal is a natural odor absorber.   Activated Charcoal is also a natural detoxifier and exfoliant that can also used in face masks, shampoo, soap, bath bombs, body scrubs, and body wash.