Carbon Theory Tea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60

Carbon Theory Tea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Exfoliation
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Carbon Theory’s lab formulated breakout control cleansing pads are soaked in exfoliating glycolic acid that resurface & retexture the skin revealing a brighter, smoother complexion.”
Source: Supderdrug

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: glycolic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~6–8.9%
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Tea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2.4–3.7%
Anti-blemish
Glycolic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Carbon Theory’s lab formulated breakout control cleansing pads are soaked in exfoliating glycolic acid that resurface & retexture the skin revealing a brighter, smoother complexion.”
Source: Supderdrug

This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Glycolic acidEffect: MediumAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~6–8.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~6–8.9%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~1.1–1.6%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.01–0.1%est.
Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productMedium~2–3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lackingMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Acer saccharum extractA plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compoundsMedium~0.05–0.15%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~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycolic acid~6–8.9%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid
Glycerin~3.6–5.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Polysorbate 20~2.4–3.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Sodium lactate~2–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

More about Sodium lactate
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Sodium hydroxide~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 extract
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Saccharum officinarum extract
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
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 extract
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract
Acer saccharum extract~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
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 extract
Limonene~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycolic acid, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Carbon TheoryTea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60YOUR PRODUCTNaturally RadiantSuperdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Pads 60NaturiumThe Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body WashNeocutisNeo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin Cleanser
Match—59%56%56%
Price—$12.02$6.00$40.00
Shared key ingredients—4 of 53 of 52 of 5
Key difference—PanthenolLactic AcidDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Irritancy High High Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Carbon Theory Tea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60
Carbon TheoryTea Tree & Glycolic Acid Cleansing Pads X60

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