UPDATE: Carbon Theory recently launched two new products at Boots in its fight against acne.
Both are highly affordable, as is Carbon Theory’s M.O, and they’re both designed to help clear the skin. The first is called the Breakout Control Exfoliating Body Bar (£7.50) and it uses Vitamin E, charcoal, and tea tree oil to detoxify the skin, calm and get rid of blemishes, and reduce inflammation.
The second is the Overnight Detox Serum (£14). It contains cranberry beads to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin as you sleep. If overnight treatments are something you’re keen on, check out our Sleeping beauty: The best overnight hair masks, face creams and foot treatments guide.
Buy now from Boots
The original spotlight on Carbon Theory continues below
Breakouts? Acne? Clogged pores? Bored of your cleansing routine and want to switch things up? Look no further than Carbon Theory.
Founded in Islington in 2017, the simple skincare brand offers products that are holy grails for acne-prone skin. It’s one of our absolute favourite beauty brands and, as a result, is the latest brand to feature in our Brand Spotlight series.
READ NEXT: The truth about the acids in your skincare
Over the coming weeks and months, we’re going to be shining a light on brands that represent and align with what we stand for at mamabella – brands that offer great products at low prices; brands which champion inclusivity and diversity; clean, sustainable and ethical beauty brands, and brands that are challenging the beauty industry hierarchy.
We’ve previously profiled The Ordinary, another fantastic and affordable brand doing amazing work in the science of skincare, and have separately outlined what we consider to be the best cheap makeup brands on the market.
Carbon Theory Carbon Theory was founded by former The Apprentice candidate Philip Taylor as an affordable range of skincare designed for people with acne-prone skin.
All of Carbon Theory’s products work in harmony with each other, so they’re regularly available as box sets to get you started whether you’re after a simple skincare regime or something targeted towards preventing breakouts or fighting pre-existing spots.
READ NEXT: What causes acne and how to get rid of it
And although it was set up to be targeted towards those of us who suffer breakouts, it’s also kind and gentle on all skin types using cruelty-free, natural ingredients so even if your skin is blemish-free, Carbon Theory is a great, science-led brand that does what it promises.
Carbon Theory products actually work, they perform as promised and the entire range is highly affordable. It’s as simple as that. The brand’s fantastic products regularly crop up in our Best Buys lists, including our best cleanser, best toner, and best moisturiser.
It’s not as cheap as, say, The Ordinary but it’s significantly cheaper than *many* other skincare brands, including ones that don’t perform anywhere near as well.
READ NEXT: The science of moisturiser
If you’re yet to try Carbon Theory products, or are looking for something new, we’ve handpicked five of the best Carbon Theory products from across the company’s range. We’ve also explained who these Carbon Theory products are best for and how they can be used most effectively. Plus, Beauty Bay is selling a bundle of these skincare essentials for £55.
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to curb breakouts and help clear spots.
Why we love it: Thanks to its hard-working triple act of tea tree oil, charcoal and shea butter, this cleansing bar eliminates spots, curbs breakouts and helps to unclog pores. Your skin is left feeling so soft and clean and calm.
How to use it: Work the bar up into a lather and wash with warm water. Use twice a day.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£13 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to rehydrate skin while protecting against breakouts.
Why we love it: This moisturiser smells amazing. Using cranberry extracts alongside tea tree oil and shea butter, it leaves skin feeling plump and nourished. It soaks in gently, giving a shine-free, matte finish. It also works wonderfully as a primer underneath makeup.
How to use it: After cleansing and toning, use a pea-sized drop and tap and blend into the skin. Use twice daily, morning and night.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? The science of moisturiser
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£14 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to minimise shine, reduce pores and promote cell regeneration.
Why we love it: This toner isn’t just gentle on the skin, it lasts for ages. One bottle of this stuff will last you for months because the smallest amount goes a long way and, thanks to the use of pink grapefruit extract, it helps to eradicate dead skin cells, promote cell turnover and control oily skin.
How to use it: After cleansing, add a few drops to a cotton pad and sweep over the face. Follow with moisturiser.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£11 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to get into the nitty-gritty, hard-to-reach corners of the face and get rid of oil, dirt and impurities.
Why we love it: Its combination of oil-busting ingredients leave your face feeling brand new. Natural pumicite particles cleanse and exfoliate the skin clearing clogged pores and preventing breakouts while activated charcoal acts like a sponge, drawing out bacteria and toxins.
How to use it: After cleansing, apply all over the face and work into the skin using circular motions. Massage for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use twice a week and follow with toner and moisturiser.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£11 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to pamper, rehydrate, repair, and detoxify their skin.
Why we love it: Like all Carbon Theory products, this mask is vegan and cruelty-free and uses all-natural ingredients. The mud mask uses charcoal and tea tree oil at its base and is combined with mineral mud for a luxurious face mask. The mud is high in magnesium, which helps to boost your skin’s function as a protective barrier, and can help to rebalance your skin’s pH levels.
READ NEXT: What’s the fuss about clean beauty?
How to use it: After cleansing, apply a thin layer all over your face, making sure to avoid lips and eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash off with warm water. Follow with the rest of your skincare.
£14 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Anyone that has breakout prone skin.
Why we love it: That this is an overnight detox serum delivers intense hydrating treatment all the while clearing and preventing breakouts. Inside the 30ml bottle there is speckles of cranberry beads. Cranberry is believed to have high levels of antioxidants and can helps smooth fine lines and while keeping the skin hydrated. With the help of tea tree Oil and Vitamin E this is the full work of keeping breakout prone skin at bay, to keep the skin feeling fresh and energized there is vitamin C in this little bottle of goodness.
The serum is black and this is due to having charcoal inside and this helps draw out bacteria, toxins and any excess oil deep within the skin.
How to use it: After cleansing, apply a small amount of serum to the back of the hand and apply to forehead, chin, cheeks and spread evenly before bed.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£16 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Who’s it for? Acne prone skin.
Why we love it: Having something covenant is great and what’s more easier than just having a simple pad that does all this for you? Each pad is infused with tea tree oil and glycolic acid to help gently exfoliate and resurface the skin. This can reveal a brighter and smoother complexion. Glycolic acid does remove dead skin cells and it balances the skin’s pH level.
READ NEXT: What does Glycolic acid do to the skin?
How to use it: After cleansing, use one of the pads to sweep over the face and avoid the eye area. Then follow with moisturiser, this can be used morning and evening. We recommend to ease this into your skincare routine and start using the pad once a week and slow build so that you can use it every day.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£8 | Buy now from Boots
Who’s it for? Anyone looking to curb breakouts and help clear spots.
Why we love it: If you love the soap but it may seem fiddly to use and also carry on travels. Carbon Theory has now created it in a face wash, yes the same product but liquid form. This is charcoal and tree tree oil facial wash, all these natural active ingredients can help wash away and detoxify the skin. It is proven to prevent breakouts and keep skin clear, balanced and hydrated. Also we love the tube is made from Sugarcane so that it is eco friendly.
How to use it: Wet your hands, squeeze the wash into your hands and massage into a lather. Apply to face and avoid the eye area, leave to penetrate the skin for 30 seconds and rinse thoroughly.
Buy now from Boots
Elly is a production journalist and sub-editor for a number of national newspapers and magazines including The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and Woman and Woman’s Own magazine. A beauty-enthusiast, she loves travelling – especially to the States – reading and calligraphy
