Carbon Theory Tea Tree Oil & Citric Acid Breakout Control Facial Purifying Tonic
Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acidWorks well
“Citric Acid removes dead skin cells, speeds cell turnover and is effective in treating mild acne, pigmentation, clogged pores and dark spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishSalix alba bark extractNot delivered
“Citric Acid removes dead skin cells, speeds cell turnover and is effective in treating mild acne, pigmentation, clogged pores and dark spots.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Lactic acid, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“Citric Acid removes dead skin cells, speeds cell turnover and is effective in treating mild acne, pigmentation, clogged pores and dark spots.”
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: lactic acid.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, TocopherolMay help
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Sodium lactate, Lactic acid + 4 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactic acid.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Sodium lactate~6.3–9.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateLactic acid~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Lactic acidVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~2.8–4.2%
- 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 extractHeptyl glucoside~2.1–3.2%
Polysorbate 20~1.8–2.7%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSaccharum officinarum extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractCitric acid~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.6–1.4%
- 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~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractGlycerin~0.45–1.05%
- 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 GlycerinMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.75%
Acer saccharum extract~0.2–0.7%
- 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 extractSalix alba bark extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractSpiraea ulmaria leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An algae extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Spiraea ulmaria leaf extractCitrus limon peel oil~0.1–0.3%
Citrus paradisi peel oil~0.05–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolLimonene~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, Sodium lactate, Lactic acid, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Heptyl glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citric acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Glycerin, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer saccharum extract, Salix alba bark extract, Spiraea ulmaria leaf extract, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, 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 TheoryTea Tree Oil & Citric Acid Breakout Control Facial Purifying TonicYOUR PRODUCT | BYOMABrightening Toner | INNBEAUTY PROJECTDown to Tone Life Changing Toner | HerbivoreMilky Way Sérum Exfoliant 10% Acide Lactique | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 64% | 63% |
| Price | — | $14.99 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Salicylic Acid | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Herbivore Botanicals Milky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating SerumGlo Skin Beauty Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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