Oil Control Serum - Salicylic Acid 2% + Niacinamide 3%

A leave-on BHA serum with Salicylic Acid at a brand-confirmed 2%, the maximum permitted concentration for leave-on cosmetic use in India and the EU, and Niacinamide at a brand-confirmed 3%. The formula uses a liposomal delivery system for the Salicylic Acid, encapsulating the BHA in phospholipid liposomes to improve penetration and reduce surface irritation by releasing the active more gradually. Niacinamide at 3% independently regulates sebum production and reduces acne-related inflammation. The formula is fragrance-free and alcohol-free. SPF use the following morning is essential with any BHA product.

MOSTLYCLEAN

Mostly Clean

Best for

Oily and acne prone skin
Acne Prone Skin
Combination skin

Avoid if

You have reactive or sensitised skin
Your skin barrier is already compromised or irritated
You are new to active skincare - patch test first

₹449 · ₹15/ml • Analysed 10 June 2026

India Context

Oily, acne-prone skin is India's most common skin type, driven by climate, genetics, and dietary patterns. Salicylic Acid's oil solubility allows it to penetrate sebum-blocked pores directly. The liposomal delivery is a meaningful formulation advancement that may improve tolerance for first-time acid users or those with reactive skin. SPF 30 or higher is essential the morning after every use. BHA increases photosensitivity, and unprotected sun exposure in India's high UV conditions actively worsens acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick III-V skin.

Key Ingredients

Water/Aqua•Niacinamide•MethylpropanediolView all ingredients

MOSTLYCLEAN

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Ingredient & Safety

Formula Logic

Public Claim Support

Transparency

Consumer Clarity

This is a web evidence review, 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 review.

At a glance

✓Fragrance free

✓Alcohol free

✓Paraben free

What was checked

4 claims checked against public evidence

Strong

Salicylic Acid 2%Verified

The brand confirms the 2% concentration on the product page. Its position in the ingredient list is consistent with this level.

Published evidence

Niacinamide 3%Verified

The brand confirms the 3% concentration on the product page. Niacinamide's position in the formula is consistent with this level.

Published evidence

Fragrance-FreeVerified

No Parfum, Fragrance, or scent-use essential oils appear in the public ingredient list.

Published evidence

Liposomal Delivery for Salicylic AcidNeeds context

Lecithin is present in the ingredient list as the phospholipid component, which is consistent with a liposomal system. No independent verification data for the encapsulation technology or its efficacy advantage is publicly published.

Brand claim

Verified: confirmed from public evidenceSupported: consistent with available evidenceNeeds context: relevant for some usersNot verified: could not be confirmed

The breakdown

Mostly credible with gaps

Public Evidence Score across 5 pillars. Open any row for the full rationale.

Ingredient Safety

Excellent

Clean allergen profile with a fragrance free formula.

Salicylic Acid at 2% is the maximum concentration permitted for leave-on cosmetic use under EU Cosmetics Regulation and India CR 2020. No synthetic fragrance, no parabens, no sulfates, no alcohol were found. Liposomal encapsulation reduces surface irritation compared to free-form Salicylic Acid at the same concentration, which is a meaningful formulation advantage for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Niacinamide at 3% is exceptionally well-tolerated. Phenoxyethanol is within permitted limits. BHA products increase photosensitivity, and SPF the following morning is a safety requirement that should be clearly communicated to users.

Formula Logic

Strong

Niacinamide at the brand-confirmed 3% appears very early in the formula, consistent with its stated concentration.

Niacinamide at the brand-confirmed 3% appears very early in the formula, consistent with its stated concentration. Salicylic Acid at the brand-confirmed 2% appears well up in the list, with Lecithin present as the phospholipid component of the liposomal delivery system. This confirmed active placement and liposomal technology claim are consistent with the product description. Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate help offset the drying effect typically associated with BHA use. The formula pH is not publicly disclosed, which is a notable gap for a BHA product. Salicylic Acid requires an acidic pH to remain in its free-acid active form. Without a disclosed pH, the actual working strength of the BHA in this formula cannot be independently verified from public data.

Claims Evidence

Strong

Good evidence for stated claims based on public information.

Full ingredient list is publicly available on thedeconstruct.in. Salicylic Acid at 2% and Niacinamide at 3% are both brand-confirmed. The liposomal delivery system claim is made on the product page, and Lecithin is visible in the ingredient list as the phospholipid component, which is consistent with the claim. No independent verification data for the liposomal technology is publicly published. Formula pH is not disclosed, which is a relevant gap for a BHA product. No unsupported efficacy claims were identified beyond the liposomal delivery mention. Deconstruct publishes ingredient education content across its product range.

Test Transparency

Grade CFair

Full INCI is available on the brand website.

Full INCI is available on the brand website. Both active concentrations are confirmed. Ingredient education content is published. No lab test reports, no clinical study data, no preservative efficacy test results, and no method documentation are publicly accessible. Formula pH is undisclosed, which is a transparency gap specifically relevant for a BHA product. Grade C: above-average transparency through concentration disclosure, but no independent third-party testing documentation is publicly visible.

Consumer Clarity

Strong

How-to-use guidance, application frequency, and skin type suitability for oily and acne-prone skin are clearly communicated.

How-to-use guidance, application frequency, and skin type suitability for oily and acne-prone skin are clearly communicated. SPF guidance for the morning after BHA use is present, though it could be given greater prominence given the photosensitising effect of Salicylic Acid.

Ingredient list

15 ingredients · INCI order

Excellent

SafeNoteCaution

Ingredient	What it does
Water/Aqua	Solvent base.
Niacinamide	Brand-confirmed 3%. Sebum regulation, pore minimisation, anti-inflammatory.
Methylpropanediol	Humectant and solubiliser for Salicylic Acid. Low concern at cosmetic use concentrations.
Salicylic Acid	BHA. Brand-confirmed 2% via liposomal delivery. Formula pH is not disclosed by the brand, which is relevant context for a BHA product.
Glycerin	Humectant. Offsets the drying effect of BHA use.
Lecithin	Phospholipid. Forms the liposomal encapsulation around Salicylic Acid. Plant-derived.
Pentylene Glycol	Humectant and mild preservative booster.
Sodium Hyaluronate	Hyaluronic acid salt. Surface hydration.
Allantoin	Soothing and skin-repairing. Important buffer for BHA-related irritation.
Panthenol	Vitamin B5. Barrier repair and hydration support.
Carbomer	Polymer gelling agent. Low concern.
Sodium Hydroxide	pH adjuster. Fully neutralised in the finished formula.
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative. Within EU and India permitted 1% limit.
Ethylhexylglycerin	Preservative booster.
Disodium EDTA	Chelating agent. Effective at stabilising formulas containing metal ions. Not a biodegradable alternative.

INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).