Exfoliating Facial Toner

A lactic acid leave-on toner at a brand-confirmed 5%, one of the most accessible AHA formats for Indian skincare beginners. Niacinamide appears at INCI position 3 (before the glycerin/betaine humectants), indicating a meaningful concentration that adds anti-pigmentation synergy to the lactic acid's exfoliating action. Octenidine HCl provides antimicrobial preservative function. The formula is remarkably lean at 14 ingredients - no silicones, no heavy emollients, no unnecessary additives. Sodium Phytate is used as the chelating agent in place of EDTA, a positive sustainability choice. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a co-solubiliser for any oil-soluble components. Contains Allergen Free Fragrance. The simplicity of the formula makes it easy to layer in a routine.

MOSTLYCLEAN

Mostly Clean

Best for

Daily Use (Night)
Skincare beginners
All Skin Types

Avoid if

You have reactive or sensitised skin

₹395 · ₹3/ml • Analysed 11 June 2026

India Context

Lactic Acid at 5% is one of the safest AHA entry points for the Indian consumer: gentler than glycolic acid, with the added benefit of NMF-like hydration that counteracts the dryness common in North India's winter months. Use 2-4 times per week at night. Daytime SPF is essential: lactic acid increases photosensitivity. In India's hot and humid summer months, reduce to 2x weekly. The lean formula is especially suitable for those building their first active-ingredient routine.

Key Ingredients

Lactic Acid•Niacinamide•BetaineView 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

✓Alcohol free

✓Paraben free

What was checked

3 claims checked against public evidence

Strong

5% Lactic AcidVerified

Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.

Published evidence

Brightening and texture improvementNeeds context

Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.

Brand claim

Fragrance-freeNot found

Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.

Not found

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

Strong

Lactic Acid at 5% in a leave-on toner is mild - at the accessible end of the functional AHA range.

Lactic Acid at 5% in a leave-on toner is mild - at the accessible end of the functional AHA range. No SLS, no SLES, no parabens, no silicones. Niacinamide at position 3 is well-tolerated alongside lactic acid at cosmetic pH levels. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a low-concern non-ionic solubiliser. Octenidine HCl as a preservative booster is safe and effective. Sodium Phytate (biodegradable chelator) replaces EDTA - a positive sustainability choice. Allergen Free Fragrance is present in a leave-on exfoliant. Formula pH not disclosed - important for any acid product.

Formula Logic

Strong

Lactic Acid at 5% provides surface cell turnover and NMF-like hydration alongside exfoliation - a unique advantage over glycolic acid.

Lactic Acid at 5% provides surface cell turnover and NMF-like hydration alongside exfoliation - a unique advantage over glycolic acid. Niacinamide at position 3 adds melanosome transfer inhibition, a second and complementary brightening mechanism. Sodium Hyaluronate provides surface hydration. The 14-ingredient formula is one of the leanest acid toners on the Indian market - minimum additives reduces cumulative sensitisation risk for regular users.

Claims Evidence

Strong

Good evidence for stated claims based on public information.

Lactic Acid at 5% is brand-confirmed. Niacinamide is listed at position 3 but no concentration is disclosed - given its INCI position, a meaningful inclusion is implied but the brand should state the percentage. Formula pH is not disclosed, which limits consumer assessment of acid activity. Allergen Free Fragrance not prominently communicated. No published clinical data.

Test Transparency

Grade CFair

No published clinical study for this formula.

No published clinical study for this formula. Lactic Acid 5% is brand-confirmed. Formula pH is not disclosed, which is a material gap for an acid product that affects how potent the formula actually is on skin.

Consumer Clarity

Strong

Lactic Acid 5% is clearly communicated.

Lactic Acid 5% is clearly communicated. Niacinamide is named but not quantified. Formula pH is not published. Allergen Free Fragrance not explained as synthetic fragrance component. The product's mechanism and suitable skin types are explained.

Ingredient list

14 ingredients · INCI order

Strong

SafeNoteCaution

Ingredient	What it does
Aqua	Solvent base
Lactic Acid	Brand-confirmed 5%; AHA, surface exfoliation and cell turnover, NMF-like hydrating action
Niacinamide	Vitamin B3, position 3 = functional concentration; brightening via melanosome inhibition; % not disclosed
Betaine	Osmolyte humectant, calming; plant-derived from sugar beet
Propanediol	Plant-derived humectant and solvent
Glycerin	Humectant, moisture retention
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative, within EU/India 1% limit
Ethylhexylglycerin	Preservative booster
Octenidine HCl	Antimicrobial preservative booster, broad-spectrum, low resistance development risk
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil	Non-ionic co-solubiliser and emulsifier; PEG compound, low concern
Sodium Hyaluronate	HA salt, surface hydration
Sodium Phytate	Plant-derived biodegradable chelating agent (from rice bran); better environmental profile than Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide	pH adjuster
Allergen Free Fragrance	Synthetic fragrance blend excluding EU sensitising allergens; not fragrance-free

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

Regulatory screen

Each ingredient mapped against 10 global regulatory authorities

Clear

EU 1223/2009EU Cosmetics Regulation - Annexes II–VI

No banned substances; Allergen Free Fragrance formulated to exclude 26 EU-listed allergens per Regulation 2023/1545

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

1 of 3 publicly supported

Strong

5% Lactic AcidPublicly supported

Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.

Evidence visible

Brightening and texture improvementNeeds proof

Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.

Mentioned only

Fragrance-freeNot publicly supported

Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.

Missing

What would strengthen this review

Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps

○Niacinamide concentration not disclosed
○Formula pH not disclosed - essential for acid product transparency
○No published clinical efficacy study
○Allergen Free Fragrance not explained to consumers

About this review

A lean, accessible AHA entry point well-suited for beginners. Lactic acid's dual exfoliation + NMF-hydration action makes it particularly relevant for dry winter months in India. Niacinamide at position 3 adds real brightening synergy. Formula pH must be disclosed for meaningful consumer transparency.

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