Our Promise
We will never ask you to trust us simply because we say we're different. We earn that through thoughtful formulation, honest communication and claims we can defend.
Because understanding changes skincare.
Carbon Cleanser
Step 01 — Cleanse + Purify
A cleanse that
prepares skin.
Not one that
punishes it.
Charcoal. Fruit acids. Three functions. Nothing unnecessary.
$85
120ml · Also available in 30ml
Add to Cart — Carbon Cleanser
See what's inside and why →
Australian made
Sulphate free
No artificial colour
First order? Use code
WELCOME15
Why most cleansers miss the point
Your cleanser is the
Your cleanser is the
first step. Most are
starting wrong.
"A cleanser that strips the skin sets up everything that follows to fail. The barrier doesn't exist to be removed. It exists to be supported. That's what this formula was built around."
Sound familiar?
- Your current cleanser leaves skin feeling tight. That tightness is the acid mantle — your skin's protective layer — being disrupted. It's working against everything that follows.
- You've tried charcoal cleansers that dried you out. Activated charcoal is effective. The formulation around it is what most brands get wrong.
- You're congested but afraid of actives. Past experience with harsh cleansers makes you cautious. The problem was concentration, not the approach.
- You're using an acne cleanser that was designed for teenagers. The skin of an adult with hormonal congestion needs a different solution at a different concentration.
- You skip the cleanser step to avoid irritation. Then the rest of the routine is landing on skin that hasn't been properly prepared.
The formulation
Every ingredient
Every ingredient
has a clear purpose.
This cleanser was built around three functions: deep-draw impurities with charcoal, gently resurface with fruit-derived acids, and leave skin feeling fresh and balanced rather than stripped. Nothing in this formula is decorative.
01
Activated Charcoal
Deep cleanse + impurity removal
Charcoal powder helps draw excess oil and surface impurities away from the pore without the drying effect associated with sulphate-based cleansers. The key is how it's suspended in this formula — surrounded by ingredients that support the barrier rather than undermine it.
"Charcoal is one of the most effective natural absorbents for surface congestion. The challenge is keeping the formula it's in gentle enough not to cause a net negative." — Elissa
02
AHA Fruit Acid Complex
Gentle surface resurfacing
Lactic acid (AHA), bilberry extract, lemon extract, orange extract, sugar cane extract and sugar maple extract provide gentle exfoliation that helps support smoother, clearer-looking skin over time. These fruit-derived acids work at the skin's surface to help lift dead skin cells without physical abrasion.
AHAs in a cleanser offer a gentler introduction to acid exfoliation than a leave-on product — useful for skin that has been sensitised by harsher previous routines.
03
Tea Tree Leaf Oil
Freshness + balance
Australian-sourced Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil is well regarded in cosmetic formulations for leaving skin feeling fresh and balanced. In this formula it contributes to the cleansing experience and the characteristic clean scent — alongside the natural fragrance of the fruit extracts.
04
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Skin comfort + hydration support
Panthenol helps support skin comfort during cleansing and contributes to the non-stripping feel the formula is designed to deliver. It works alongside aloe vera and beta glucan to leave skin feeling comfortable rather than tight after rinsing.
05
Aloe Vera + Beta Glucan
Soothing + barrier support
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and oat-derived beta glucan help leave skin feeling calm and supported after cleansing. Their inclusion in the formula is part of why this cleanser suits skin that has previously reacted to harsher formulations.
✦
What's not in it
The exclusions matter too
Free from parabens, lanolin, silicone, sulphates and mineral oil. No artificial colouring. The formula uses sulphate-free surfactants — cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucoside and decyl glucoside — which clean effectively without the stripping associated with SLS-based cleansers.
Full ingredient list
Charcoal Powder
Lactic Acid (AHA)
Tea Tree Leaf Oil
Panthenol B5
Aloe Vera
Beta Glucan
Bilberry Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Orange Fruit Extract
Sugar Cane Extract
Sugar Maple Extract
Glycerin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
Lecithin
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
How to use
Simple to use.
Simple to use.
Built to prepare.
-
01Wet your faceDamp skin allows the formula to lather and spread without requiring more product. Warm water is fine — avoid hot water, which can contribute to redness and sensitivity.
-
02Apply 1 to 2 pumpsDispense into your palm and massage across the face. The airless pump delivers a consistent amount — 1 pump is sufficient for most cleansing, 2 pumps if wearing SPF or makeup.
-
03Massage gently, rinse thoroughlyMassage across the face for 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Avoid the eye area.
-
04Morning and eveningFormulated for daily use morning and night. If you are new to active cleansers, start with once daily in the evening and introduce morning use gradually.
Avoid the eye area. As with all active cleansers.
Patch test first if you have reactive or sensitised skin. Apply to a small area of the inner arm for 24 hours before full use.
Works best as part of a full routine. For oily and congestion-prone skin, pair with the Clear + Calm Serum AHA+BHA and a barrier-supportive moisturiser.
Carbon Cleanser
120ml · Airless pump
- Sulphate-free surfactant base
- Suitable for daily AM + PM use
- For oily, congestion-prone and blemish-prone skin
- Suitable for men and women
- Australian made. Cruelty free.
- Paraben, lanolin, silicone and mineral oil free
- Airless packaging preserves formula integrity
Part of the Breakout System™
The Carbon Cleanser is step one of the four-product Breakout System. Pair with the Clear + Calm Serum and Nurture + Repair Lotion for the full clinical routine.
What people are saying
The cleanser people
The cleanser people
didn't know they
needed.
Every review is from a verified purchaser. Results are individual and reflect each person's experience with this product as part of their own skincare routine.
Read all reviews →★★★★★
"Leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without feeling stripped, and I've definitely noticed an improvement in my pores."
★★★★★
"Amazing face wash — not harsh on the skin at all and love how natural it is. Leaves my skin clean and rejuvenated!"
★★★★★
"This face wash is great. It smells nice and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean — but not dry. I use it twice a day."
Jessica's words
"Leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without feeling stripped. I've definitely noticed an improvement in my pores."
Verified Science Skincare customer · Results shown are from 4 months of use as part of a full skincare routine. Individual results vary.
4
Months to Jessica's visible result
3×
Active functions in one formula
40+
Years of clinical expertise behind the formula
AU
Made in Australia, ethically sourced
The Carbon Cleanser is formulated for oily, congestion-prone and blemish-prone skin. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, we recommend a patch test before full use — apply a small amount to the inner arm for 24 hours. If you have a diagnosed skin condition such as rosacea, consult your dermatologist or skin clinician before introducing any new active cleanser.
The Carbon Cleanser does not contain retinol. The AHA content is at cleansing concentration, meaning it rinses off rather than remaining on the skin. That said, we always recommend consulting your healthcare provider before introducing any new skincare product during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're unsure, contact us and we can provide the full ingredient list for your provider to review.
This formula uses sulphate-free surfactants and includes panthenol, aloe vera and beta glucan to support skin comfort during and after cleansing. Our reviewers consistently describe skin feeling fresh and clean rather than tight or dry. If your skin does feel tight after cleansing, that is most likely an indication that your moisturiser needs updating rather than that the cleanser is the problem — but contact us and we can advise based on your full routine.
Generally yes. The Carbon Cleanser is a rinse-off product, which means its active content doesn't remain on the skin after cleansing. The main thing to be aware of is not doubling up on AHA leave-on products immediately after use — allow the AHA in the cleanser to do its work at the cleanse step, then follow with leave-on actives at the appropriate concentration for your skin. If you're unsure how it fits into your existing routine, contact us or book a skin consultation.
Used as directed — 1 to 2 pumps, morning and evening — the 120ml bottle is designed to last approximately 8 to 10 weeks. The airless pump dispenses a consistent amount, which means you're not over-using the product without realising. A 30ml size is available if you'd like to try it first.
Yes. The Carbon Cleanser is recommended for men's skin, particularly for those dealing with congestion, post-shave irritation, or general oiliness. The sulphate-free formula is effective for daily use and the charcoal base is well suited to oilier skin types regardless of gender. Science Skincare also offers a dedicated Mankind System for men's routines.
Carbon Cleanser
Clean skin
Clean skin
without the
compromise.
Most cleansers make a choice between effective and gentle. This one was formulated to be both. Three active functions. A barrier-supportive base. Nothing you don't need.
120ml airless pump. $85.
Add to Cart — Carbon CleanserFirst order? Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off
Australian madeFormulated locally
Free shippingOn orders over $250
Clinician formulated40+ years expertise
Sulphate freeBarrier-supportive base