Getting you a comprehensive review of the product
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
DOT & KEYSerums
10% Vitamin C + E & Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
A Vitamin C serum using Ascorbyl Glucoside (a stable C derivative) at a brand-stated 10%, paired with Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Sodium Hyaluronate. The combination is sound, Vitamins C and E work synergistically as antioxidants. One notable flag: Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (DGME) is listed in the formulation. DGME is a potent penetration enhancer currently under EU safety review; while permitted in India and the EU at current concentrations, its inclusion raises a safety question given its effect of increasing the skin's absorption of everything else in the formula. No fragrance. No dyes. Formulation is otherwise clean.
MOSTLYCLEAN
Mostly CleanBest for
- Daily Use
- Melanin Rich Skin
- Sensitive skin types
Avoid if
- You are using prescription actives alongside
₹449-₹799 • Analysed 11 June 2026
India Context
A Vitamin C serum is a highly relevant product for India, UV-induced hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks are among the most common skin concerns. Ascorbyl Glucoside is more stable in India's heat than L-Ascorbic Acid, which oxidises rapidly. The DGME concern is worth monitoring as EU safety data matures.
Key Ingredients
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
Strong
What was checked
Strong
10% Vitamin CVerified
Brand confirms 10% Ascorbyl Glucoside. This is a stable derivative, not L-Ascorbic Acid - a potency distinction not disclosed in the product name.
Published evidence
Vitamin C + E antioxidant synergyVerified
Well-established published evidence for Vitamin C and E working synergistically as antioxidants.
Published evidence
DGME safety for consumersNot found
DGME is a penetration enhancer under EU review. Its effect on co-formulated ingredient absorption is not communicated to consumers.
Not found
Verified: confirmed from public evidenceSupported: consistent with available evidenceNeeds context: relevant for some usersNot verified: could not be confirmed
The breakdown
Public Evidence Score across 5 pillars. Open any row for the full rationale.
Ingredient SafetyStrong
Ingredient Safety
Strong
Clean allergen profile with a fragrance free formula.
Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (DGME) is present in this formula. It is classified as a skin penetration enhancer and is currently under ongoing safety review in Europe. It is permitted in both India and the EU at present levels, but the concern is that DGME increases the amount of every other ingredient in the formula that absorbs through the skin - effectively raising the body's exposure to all actives in the serum. No fragrance, no azo dyes, no restricted UV filters. The rest of the formula is clean.
Formula LogicStrong
Formula Logic
Strong
The brand states 10% Ascorbyl Glucoside, and the Vitamin C plus Vitamin E combination is well-established in antioxidant research. Sodium Hyaluronate adds hydration. Ascorbyl Glucoside is a gentler, more stable form of Vitamin C than L-Ascorbic Acid - an advantage in India's heat but with lower potency. DGME enhances ingredient penetration, which may boost efficacy but also increases systemic absorption of co-formulated ingredients.
Claims EvidenceStrong
Claims Evidence
Strong
Good evidence for stated claims based on public information.
The brand states 10% Vitamin C on the product, which is a welcome transparency. The full ingredient list is published on dotandkey.com and DGME is listed within it. However, the penetration-enhancing properties of DGME are not explained to consumers. The product name implies L-Ascorbic Acid to most consumers, but the actual form used is Ascorbyl Glucoside - a distinction that matters for anyone comparing efficacy against other Vitamin C serums.
“10% Vitamin C” Brand confirms 10% Ascorbyl Glucoside. This is a stable derivative, not L-Ascorbic Acid - a potency distinction not disclosed in the product name.
“Vitamin C + E antioxidant synergy” Well-established published evidence for Vitamin C and E working synergistically as antioxidants.
“DGME safety for consumers” DGME is a penetration enhancer under EU review. Its effect on co-formulated ingredient absorption is not communicated to consumers.
Test TransparencyGrade BStrong
Test Transparency
Grade BStrong
No product-specific clinical study published. The Vitamin C + E synergy has strong ingredient-level evidence in published literature. The DGME element lacks consumer-facing transparency. Grade B reflects the strong ingredient science with the DGME opacity as a gap.
Consumer ClarityExcellent
Consumer Clarity
Excellent
Full INCI list published. Concentration disclosed proactively. DGME's penetration-enhancing function is not communicated but it is listed in the INCI, allowing informed consumers to investigate. Scored at max given overall disclosure level.
Ingredient list
Strong
Ingredient list
Strong
SafeNoteCaution
| Ingredient |
|---|
Aqua (Water) |
Ascorbyl Glucoside |
Glycerin |
Butylene Glycol |
Tocopherol |
Sodium Hyaluronate |
Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (DGME) |
Allantoin |
Phenoxyethanol |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
Regulatory screen
Review
Regulatory screen
Review
EU 1223/2009EU Cosmetics Regulation - Annexes II–VI
DGME (Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether) - penetration enhancer under ongoing EU safety review (SCCS); currently permitted
India CR 2020India Cosmetics Rules, CDSCO
No flagged substances
Health Canada HotlistCanada prohibited & restricted ingredients
No flagged substances
US FDA 21 CFRUS FDA Parts 700–740
No flagged substances
MFDS KoreaKorea Cosmetics Act
No flagged substances
ECHA SVHCSubstances of Very High Concern
No flagged substances
IARCCarcinogen classifications Groups 1/2A/2B
No flagged substances
AICIS AustraliaAustralian industrial chemical safety
No flagged substances
TGA AustraliaTherapeutic claims (if applicable)
No flagged substances
Canada NHPIDNatural health product ingredients
No flagged substances
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Claims checked
Strong
Claims checked
Strong
10% Vitamin CPublicly supported
Brand confirms 10% Ascorbyl Glucoside. This is a stable derivative, not L-Ascorbic Acid - a potency distinction not disclosed in the product name.
Evidence visible
Vitamin C + E antioxidant synergyPublicly supported
Well-established published evidence for Vitamin C and E working synergistically as antioxidants.
Evidence visible
DGME safety for consumersNot publicly supported
DGME is a penetration enhancer under EU review. Its effect on co-formulated ingredient absorption is not communicated to consumers.
Missing
What would strengthen this review
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
- ○Consumer disclosure of DGME's penetration-enhancing properties
- ○Clarification that Vitamin C form is Ascorbyl Glucoside, not L-Ascorbic Acid
About this review
A clean, purposeful formula let down by the inclusion of DGME without consumer disclosure. Removing DGME or transparently communicating its role would significantly improve this score.
Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-review, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.
Independent reviewPublic evidence only
Full methodology
- What global regulations say about each ingredient
- What toxicology evidence shows at cosmetic concentrations
- What formula concentration context changes
- What the product format and leave-on contact time changes
- What the stated user group needs
- What published test evidence confirms
- What the brand is claiming vs what evidence supports
