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Reading every ingredient in the formula…
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Reading every ingredient in the formula…
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This Ayurvedic night cream offers strong ingredient transparency and a rich blend of traditional actives, but its ambitious claims for 'whitening' and 'pigmentation reduction' lack finished-product clinical proof, and conflicting suitability advice across platforms creates consumer confusion.
₹615 • Analysed 23 October 2026
This Shesha Ayurveda night cream is positioned as a traditional Ayurvedic solution for skin brightening and repair, which resonates well with Indian consumers. The pricing at Rs.699 for 50g is in the mid-to-premium range for Ayurvedic skincare, with frequent discounts making it more accessible. The brand's explicit 'face whitening' claim, even if in meta-description, triggers a CDSCO concern as per 2020 guidelines, which discourage such absolute claims for cosmetics. The presence of multiple essential oils, while traditional, warrants caution for sensitive Indian skin types, especially given the brand's own disclaimer against use on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Independent and free. The Clean Sheet takes no money from brands to analyse, rank, or approve a product. This is a web evidence analysis, not a Clean Sheet certification. We checked the ingredient list, publicly available test reports, marketing claims, and formula logic using only public information available at the time of analysis.
Claim relies on the traditional benefits of Ayurvedic ingredients like Kumkumadi Thailam and Red Sandalwood, which are generally associated with improving complexion. No finished product study is publicly visible to quantify 'radiant, glowing skin'.
Based on the traditional properties of Red Sandalwood and Kumkumadi Thailam. No finished product evidence for 'overnight' effect is publicly visible.
Attributed to Red Sandalwood extract, Kasturi Manjal (wild turmeric), and Kumkumadi Thailam. While these ingredients have traditional uses for pigmentation, no finished product clinical study with methodology, sample size, or quantified results is publicly visible.
Supported by the presence of multiple nourishing oils like Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and Neem Oil, with disclosed percentages.
The ingredient list explicitly names and quantifies 14 Ayurvedic extracts and oils (Red Sandalwood, Kumkumadi Thailam, Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Chaulmoogra Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Neem Oil, Lavender Oil, Vetiver Oil, Turmeric Extract, Galangal Oil, Calamus Oil, Geranium Oil).
The retrieved INCI list does not contain these ingredients. The brand explicitly states this on its website and product listings.
Based on the traditional properties of Red Sandalwood, Kumkumadi Thailam, and Wild Turmeric. No finished product evidence is publicly visible.
Attributed to Kumkumadi Thailam. While traditionally used for this, no finished product clinical study is publicly visible.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against the label.
Screened against the ingredient database (6 of 22 ingredients matched); no cosmetics-prohibited ingredient found.
No ingredient with a recognised endocrine-activity concern found in the database.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Contains ingredient(s) commonly rated comedogenic: cocos nucifera, coconut oil. May not suit very acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
| Ingredient |
|---|
Red Sandalwood Extract (Pterocarpus santalinus) |
Kumkumadi Thailam |
Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera) |
Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis) |
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) |
Chaulmoogra Oil (Hydnocarpus wightianus) |
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera) |
Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica) |
Lavender Oil (Lavandula) |
Vetiver Oil (Chrysopogon zizanioides) |
Turmeric Extract (Curcuma aromatica) |
Galangal Oil (Alpinia galanga) |
Calamus Oil (Acorus calamus) |
Geranium Oil (Geranium) |
Deionised Water |
Glyceryl monostearate |
Emulsifying wax |
Glycerin |
Stearic Acid |
Citric Acid |
Phenoxyethanol |
Tocopherol |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified. Note on 'face whitening' claim in marketing.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance assessment.
“Red Sandalwood Face Skin Brightening Night Cream for face whitening”
The term 'face whitening' crosses into drug-like claims for cosmetics under CDSCO 2020 guidance.
“Suitable for all skin types”
Contradicted by brand's own website regarding suitability for sensitive/acne-prone skin.
Claim relies on the traditional benefits of Ayurvedic ingredients like Kumkumadi Thailam and Red Sandalwood, which are generally associated with improving complexion. No finished product study is publicly visible to quantify 'radiant, glowing skin'.
Mentioned only
Based on the traditional properties of Red Sandalwood and Kumkumadi Thailam. No finished product evidence for 'overnight' effect is publicly visible.
Mentioned only
Attributed to Red Sandalwood extract, Kasturi Manjal (wild turmeric), and Kumkumadi Thailam. While these ingredients have traditional uses for pigmentation, no finished product clinical study with methodology, sample size, or quantified results is publicly visible.
Mentioned only
Supported by the presence of multiple nourishing oils like Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and Neem Oil, with disclosed percentages.
Mentioned only
The ingredient list explicitly names and quantifies 14 Ayurvedic extracts and oils (Red Sandalwood, Kumkumadi Thailam, Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Chaulmoogra Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Neem Oil, Lavender Oil, Vetiver Oil, Turmeric Extract, Galangal Oil, Calamus Oil, Geranium Oil).
Mentioned only
The retrieved INCI list does not contain these ingredients. The brand explicitly states this on its website and product listings.
Evidence visible
Based on the traditional properties of Red Sandalwood, Kumkumadi Thailam, and Wild Turmeric. No finished product evidence is publicly visible.
Mentioned only
Attributed to Kumkumadi Thailam. While traditionally used for this, no finished product clinical study is publicly visible.
Mentioned only
Supported by the presence of multiple emollient and nourishing oils and a cream base.
Mentioned only
This is a common claim for well-formulated creams. User reviews generally support this.
Evidence visible
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
This analysis evaluates brand claims against visible evidence and formula logic. It does not replace a full ingredient safety analysis or a clinical product test. Results vary by individual, and the consumer should always read the full ingredient list and follow usage guidance.
Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-analysis, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.
