The Fossilized Remains In Your Toothpaste

Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from the fossilized remains of ancient aquatic algae. While it feels soft to us, its microscopic structure is so sharp it acts like tiny shards of glass to small pests.

These tiny organisms called diatoms lived millions of years ago and left behind skeletons made of silica. When ground into a powder, these skeletons are incredibly porous and effective at absorbing liquids. People use it for everything from filtering swimming pools to organic pest control because it physically dehydrates insects upon contact. It is even common in household products like toothpaste and skincare.