Overnight Detox Serum

Carbon Theory

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Carbon Theory Overnight Detox Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 34 ingredients (21 low-risk) rates it Excellent (96/100).

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
34
Low-risk
21
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United Kingdom
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 4/9
Good for dry skin
Mannitol Sodium Hyaluronate Lactic Acid Polyglycerin-10
Caution for dry skin
Magnesium Hydroxide Microcrystalline Cellulose Charcoal Powder Xanthan Gum Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Polysorbate 20 Heptyl Glucoside
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 0/7
Caution for sensitive skin
Mannitol Algin Tricalcium Phosphate Citric Acid Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Limonene

Ingredients list

34 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (6)
All34 Skin Conditioning21 Fragrance9 Emulsion Stabilising6 Viscosity Controlling5 Surfactant5 Humectant5 Viscosity Increasing Agent4 Binding Agent4
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
Heptyl Glucoside
(Surfactant)
1
Mannitol
(Binding Agent, Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Binding, Masking, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning)
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
(Moisturising, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Microcrystalline Cellulose
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Slip Modifier, Viscosity Increasing Agent)
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
(Antioxidant, Perfuming)
1
A
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
Acer saccharum extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
(Adhesive, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Binding, Surfactant, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Charcoal Powder
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Colorant, Opacifying, Cosmetic Colorant)
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Powder
(Antioxidant)
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Algin
(Binding Agent, Fragrance, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
B
Magnesium Hydroxide
(Absorbent, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Polyglycerin-10
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Tricalcium Phosphate
(Abrasive, Fragrance, Opacifying, Oral Care Agent, Anticaking Agent, Masking)
1
A
Sodium Dehydroacetate
(Preservative)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
1
2
CI 77491
(Colorant, Cosmetic Colorant)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Acne FightingFights acne and helps prevent breakouts.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit dry skin
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Heptyl Glucoside
Surfactant
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Surfactant
Mannitol
Binding agent, Flavoring agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Binding agentFlavoring agentHumectantBindingMaskingMoisturisingSkin conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Moisturising, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A MoisturisingSkin conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Abrasive, Absorbent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AbrasiveAbsorbentAnticaking agentBulking agentEmulsion stabilisingSlip modifierViscosity increasing agent
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Xanthan Gum
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingSkin conditioningSurfactant -emulsifying agentViscosity increasing agentBindingGel formingViscosity controlling
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantPerfuming
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A DeodorantSkin conditioning
Acer saccharum extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
+ 12 more — see the full ingredients list above
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Algin
Binding agent, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentFragranceViscosity increasing agentBindingMaskingViscosity controlling Bad for Sensitive SkinBad for Oily Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening, start slow: Best in the PM a few times a week to begin with; avoid layering with other strong actives the same night.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Lactic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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