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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.
₹395 · ₹3/ml • Analysed 11 June 2026
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.
Independent and free. The Clean Sheet takes no money from brands to review, rank, or approve a product. 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.
Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.
Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.
Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.
How we read this product across 5 areas. Open any row for the full rationale.
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.
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.
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.
“5% Lactic Acid” Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.
“Brightening and texture improvement” Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.
“Fragrance-free” Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.
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.
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 |
|---|
Aqua |
Lactic Acid |
Niacinamide |
Betaine |
Propanediol |
Glycerin |
Phenoxyethanol |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Octenidine HCl |
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
Sodium Hyaluronate |
Sodium Phytate |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Allergen Free Fragrance |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
No banned substances; Allergen Free Fragrance formulated to exclude 26 EU-listed allergens per Regulation 2023/1545
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
No flagged substances
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.
Evidence visible
Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.
Mentioned only
Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.
Missing
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
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.
How we read this product across 5 areas. Open any row for the full rationale.
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.
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.
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.
“5% Lactic Acid” Brand-confirmed concentration at the mild end of the functional AHA range.
“Brightening and texture improvement” Lactic acid mechanism is established; no formula-specific clinical data published.
“Fragrance-free” Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not fragrance-free.
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.
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.
