Name: Carbon Theory - Overnight Serum
Brand: Carbon Theory

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

Does not work for

Exfoliation

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Carbon Theory’s U. K lab formulated Charcoal, Tea Tree Oil & Vitamin E Overnight Detox Serum has been developed to deliver an intensive hydrating overnight treatment to prevent & clear breakouts from your complexion.

Source: Boots

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": mannitol, sodium hyaluronate.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

sodium hyaluronate 1.1% - 1.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

saccharum officinarum extract 1.3% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

mannitol 1.5% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

The formulation once applied to the skin becomes clear whilst Bursting Encapsulated Cranberry beads melt into the surface of the skin stimulating the natural rejuvenation of the skin cells.

Source: Boots

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.

microcrystalline cellulose 1% - 1.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

lactic acid 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

Honesty check

Buy now

Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

lactic acid 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Anti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

tocopherol 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Anti-aging

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract 0.75% - 1.15%

Irritation risk:

A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity

citrus limon fruit extract 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

Comodogenic ingredients

algin 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing

Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

propanediol 5% - 6.1%

Irritation risk:

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract 4.2% - 5.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking

Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Heptyl glucoside, Mannitol, Saccharum officinarum extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer saccharum extract, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Charcoal powder, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit powder, Citrus limon peel oil, Lactic acid, Algin, Magnesium hydroxide, Tocopherol, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Tricalcium phosphate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Citric acid, Limonene, Ci 77491, Iron oxides

	Carbon Theory - Overnight Serum	Dermalogica - Biolumin-C Serum Sponsored	Summer Fridays - Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution	Shani Darden Skin Care - Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum	REVOLUTION SKINCARE - Multi Acid Peeling Solution	Ambari - PM Active 12 Serum	Skin Juice - Facial in a Jar Purifying Pineapple	Esmi Skin Minerals - Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum	Silki - AHA Complex - 3% Lactic and 2% Glycolic acids and Citrus Fruit Extracts Serum	Yes to - Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Daily Blemish Tonic	Renee Rouleau - Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum	Fourth Ray Beauty - Reveal 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum
Price
WIMJ similarity score		51%	56%	55%	55%	54%	53%	53%	53%	52%	52%	52%
Key ingredients	lactic acid mannitol +3 more	Common: lactic acid sodium hyaluronate +1 more Other: aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate palmitoyl tripeptide-5 +6 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract +1 more Other: niacinamide glycolic acid +2 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract +2 more Other: glycolic acid gluconolactone +9 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract Other: salicylic acid glycolic acid +1 more	Common: lactic acid sodium hyaluronate +1 more Other: niacinamide bakuchiol +5 more	Common: lactic acid mannitol +2 more Other: salicylic acid glycerin +4 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract Other: glycolic acid cocos nucifera oil +2 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract Other: glycolic acid glycerin +1 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract +1 more Other: niacinamide salicylic acid +2 more	Common: lactic acid saccharum officinarum extract Other: salicylic acid niacinamide +3 more	Common: lactic acid sodium hyaluronate Other: glycolic acid glycerin +3 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	limonene Has skin benefit? citrus limon peel oil Has skin benefit? +11 more	limonene Has skin benefit? citrus grandis peel oil Has skin benefit? +10 more	curcuma longa root extract Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita extract Has skin benefit? +11 more	glycolic acid Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +20 more	tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract Has skin benefit? citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract Has skin benefit? +11 more	parfum Has skin benefit? benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +12 more	cocoglycerides Has skin benefit? citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? +9 more	citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	butylphenyl methylpropional Has skin benefit? coumarin Has skin benefit? +17 more	citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	ci 19140 Has skin benefit? ci 16035 Has skin benefit? +13 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +33 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +30 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +16 more	water Has skin benefit? glycolic acid Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? glycolic acid Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +13 more	aloe barbadensis leaf juice Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +19 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +24 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Carbon Theory Overnight Serum

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

AU Retailers

UK Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources