Carbon Theory Charcoal & Tea Tree Exfoliating Scrub
Works for
CleansingCetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl caprylateCleanses gently
“Carbon Theory's 125ml U.K lab formulated Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Facial Exfoliating Scrub features premium natural ingredients that remove the presence of dirt, oil and impurities from the skin.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Charcoal & Tea Tree Exfoliating Scrub”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Pumice particles accelerate natural exfoliation to unclog pores and leave skin feeling bright and refreshed”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Citrus limon peel oil + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Cetearyl alcohol~5.5–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCocos nucifera oil~4–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilBrassicamidopropyl dimethylamine~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPumice~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation
More about PumiceMaris limus extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aspartic acid~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
More about Aspartic acidCharcoal powder~1.2–1.9%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolGlyceryl caprylate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Citrus limon peel oil~0.15–0.5%
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.45%
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCitric acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLimonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Cocos nucifera oil, Brassicamidopropyl dimethylamine, Glycerin, Pumice, Maris limus extract, Aspartic acid, Charcoal powder, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl caprylate, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Potassium sorbate, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus limon peel oil, Sodium phytate, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citric acid, Limonene
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Carbon TheoryCharcoal & Tea Tree Exfoliating ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | Adorn CosmeticsNatural Soothing Cleansing Milk | Refillable | NaturiumMulti-Calm Cream Cleanser | SEPHORA COLLECTIONCleansing Wipes - Coconut Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 37% | 33% | 32% |
| Price | — | — | $15.80 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Gamarde Organic Cleansing MilkAlpyn Beauty Hydrating Cold Cream Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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