Carbon Theory SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER

Carbon Theory SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 5 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER”
Source: Beauty Bay

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine) 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~12–15%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~6.1–7.5%
Lauryl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.9–4.7%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~2.4–2.9%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~1.2–1.5%
Sodium methyl oleoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.2–1.5%
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamineEffect: High~0.25–0.45%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER”
Source: Beauty Bay

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.5–0.75%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Upgrade your skincare routine with the Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser. Enriched with salicylic acid to help gently exfoliate the skin and reduce breakouts by keeping pores clear without affecting the skin's natural skin barrier, plus moisturising shea butter, this daily cleanser belongs in your next haul.”
Source: Beauty Bay

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.5–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 10 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~12–15%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~6.1–7.5%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~2.4–2.9%est.
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~1.2–1.5%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.5–0.75%est.
Lauryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.9–4.7%est.
Sodium methyl oleoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.2–1.5%est.
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine—Medium~0.25–0.45%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~12–15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~6.1–7.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Lauryl glucoside~3.9–4.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Lauryl glucoside
Decyl glucoside~2.4–2.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Propanediol~1.7–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Propanediol
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~1.2–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate~1.2–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate
Salicylic acid~0.5–0.75%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing
More about Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Lauryl glucoside, Decyl glucoside, Propanediol, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, Salicylic acid, Sodium benzoate, Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 12:29 GMT
$9.99
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Carbon TheorySALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSERYOUR PRODUCTOleHenriksenDaily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid CleanserThe ElementsPurifying Gel CleanserThe INKEY List CASalicylic Acid Acne + Blackhead Cleanser
Match—89%88%87%
Price$9.99$33.77+$23.78$10.58+$0.59$15.00+$5.01
Shared key ingredients—5 of 84 of 83 of 8
Key difference—Betaine SalicylateGlycerinAllantoin
Irritancy Low Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Carbon Theory SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER
Carbon TheorySALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING GEL CLEANSER

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.