Carbon Theory soap?

[MushroomTree]

Has anyone used Carbon Theory soap? I'm talking about the charcoal and tea tree oil cleansing bar.

I've got cycstic acne and incredibly oil skin on my face, neck, chest and back. I've just finished a three month course of Lymecycline which frankly made no difference at all.

Unfortunately I really don't have the money to be buying all the designer acne treatment but could stretch the budget to this soap if it will actually work.

I've got it and it has really dried my skin out, and not in a good way!
But I don't think my skin was oily enough for it, it might be ok for you.

@youareatwatadmitit thanks for the reply. My skin is very oily. I looked in the mirror the other day and it actually looked wet it was so greasy .

I'm seeing the doctor about it tomorrow but I'm doubtful he'll actually help.

I tried it for my cystic acne, bought into all the hype and reviews but it didn't make a slight bit of difference to my skin.

I currently don't have a single spot for the first time in months but I'm nearly 3 months into a course of lymecycline so not sure if it's that or stopping using the carbon theory!

@RiojaHaze I've got as many spots, if not more, than I had before the Lymecycline so it hasn't worked at all.

The doctor that prescribed it said the next step is a referral to dermatology but I'm seeing a different doctor tomorrow and he was quite dismissive of my skin issues last time I saw him.

@MushroomTree there's another thread on here about spotty skin with loads of different advice, and I think there's a couple of people who said the same.

I'm worried that if it is working, once I stop taking it my spots will just come back.

I've switched all of my skincare to La Roche Posay which I think may have helped, plus stopped using primer and things like that which I think may have been clogging my face up. I've cut out dairy and eating loads more veg, so somewhere something is working.

Horrible isn't it. Painful and constantly worrying about how it looks.

@RiojaHaze thank you. I'll have a look at the other thread. You get so much conflicting advice don't you? I've read things that say cut out dairy, eat this, don't do that. And then other things that say that's all a load of rubbish and if you've got really bad skin then none of that will make much difference.

I expect the next step for me will be Accutane or whatever it's called but even that isn't a guarantee of perfect skin and seems to have a whole host of potential side effects.

I'd just like my skin to not be permanently covered in pus filled boils and to be able to feel confident without trowelling make up on.

It was a waste of money for me. Roaccutane, on the other hand, 👌

I didn't rate it OP, it was so drying it essentially made it look even worse, especially when makeup was on
Roaccutane didn't work for me either in the respect that I had to stop due to appalling side effects.

Only thing that has worked for me is the pill ( Yasmin) and cutting out gluten and dairy. Still get the odd breakout and my skin isnt perfect by any means but it's pretty good and I'm generally fairly ok with it. Not sure if skincare is anything to do with it or not in all honesty as nothing I've ever tried skincare wise ever solved the issue and my skin has only ever been clear when I'm on some sort of medication. Skincare helps it look better when it's already clear, for me, but doesn't get it there.

Have taken antibiotics a few times recently for an ongoing issue ans my skin has been almost perfect when on them, then goes back when I come off them again. I wouldn't take them long term though as I have stomach issues and it plays bloody havoc

Thanks for replies. I'll see what my doctor suggests this morning.

As much as I want nice skin I also don't enjoy the idea of not eating bread or cheese to get it.

I wish there was something you could wash your face with and it magically took all the spots away!

Well the GP has given me another 8 weeks of Lymecycline and also Adapelene gel to use alongside it. He doesn't think my skin is bad enough to warrant a dermatologist referral so we'll see if this works. Apparently if it doesn't he'll prescribe a different antibiotic and see if that improves it.

My 20yo DS uses Carbon Therapy soap with a Konjac sponge .

He does have 'typical' teen skin, a beard and doesn't put make-up on after !

I have a new unopened bar of this if you would like to try it, I am happy to send it you. I used mine mainly on my back for spots and found it helpful. Let me know if you'd like it!

@lotusbell I've actually got some other bits to try alongside the antibiotics and prescription gel the doctor has given me.

I'm going to see how I get on with that and then revisit the soap. Thank you for the offer though

No problem, if you change your mind just let me know.

@MushroomTree I know this is old but did you have any success with treatment in the end

So, I ended up with a six month course of Roaccutane when a locum at my GP surgery finally took pity on me and made a dermatologist referral.

The dermatologist was lovely and said I could've been referred years ago and couldn't understand why my GP wouldn't make the referral 🤨

The Roaccutane was a game changer. I'm about three years on now and whilst my skin does get slightly oily and I do get the odd spot, the acne hasn't ever returned.

Carbon Theory soap was also very good until reasonably recently when it started to dry my skin out. I've switched to the Dr Jart foaming cleanser now which seems to be kinder.

Thanks for replying . My son is 17 and we have gp next week to start the process. Not keen yet on it as he’s so young and have lot to try first . Will see what gp says . It’s horrible to suffer . I have been ok

I fully appreciate the concerns, especially in someone so young. I was late 20s when I started my course, but with a history of mental health concerns so my counsellor had to confirm to the dermatologist that she had no issues with me taking Roaccutane and that my treatment with her would continue for the duration.

As it was, I had no side effects at all and I would say that improved skin improved my mental health because I was embarrassed to leave the house anymore.