12% Niacinamide Clarifying Serum

A high-concentration niacinamide serum at a brand-confirmed 12%, making it one of the highest OTC niacinamide concentrations on the Indian market. Niacinamide sits at INCI position 2, confirming dominance in formula. Hexylene Glycol at position 3 is a solvent that also contributes mild antimicrobial properties. Azelaic Acid appears at position 10, a meaningful supporting active for acne and hyperpigmentation, though its exact concentration is not disclosed. PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether at position 4 acts as a skin-conditioning emollient. The formula uses Disodium EDTA as a chelating agent rather than a biodegradable alternative. Contains Allergen Free Fragrance - not truly fragrance-free.

MOSTLYCLEAN

Mostly Clean

Best for

Oily and acne prone skin
Acne Prone Skin
Combination skin

₹645 · ₹22/ml • Analysed 11 June 2026

India Context

Niacinamide at 12% targets PIH from acne and UV exposure - the most prevalent skin concern across India's Fitzpatrick III-V skin tones. At this concentration, a brief and harmless niacin flush may occur on first use; reduce frequency and build up gradually. Suitable for India's humid climate: water-based, non-occlusive formula. Azelaic Acid adds mild exfoliation and tyrosinase inhibition that complements niacinamide's melanosome transfer inhibition.

Key Ingredients

Niacinamide•Hexylene Glycol•PPG-20 Methyl Glucose EtherView 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

12% NiacinamideVerified

Brand-confirmed on product page and consistent with INCI position 2.

Published evidence

Clinically proven in 14 daysNeeds context

Standard marketing language - no published peer-reviewed trial for this specific formula.

Brand claim

Azelaic Acid key activeNeeds context

Named on product page but concentration not disclosed; position 10 suggests functional but lower inclusion.

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

Strong

No EU Annex II banned substances, no parabens, no SLES.

No EU Annex II banned substances, no parabens, no SLES. Hexylene Glycol at position 3 is a solvent-humectant with low sensitisation risk. Azelaic Acid at position 10 is globally permitted in cosmetics. Allergen Free Fragrance (synthetic, excluding the 26 EU-listed fragrance allergens per Regulation 2023/1545) is present - not fragrance-free. Phenoxyethanol within the 1% permitted limit. Disodium EDTA as chelator rather than a biodegradable alternative. No penetration enhancers detected.

Formula Logic

Strong

12% Niacinamide at INCI position 2 confirms a dominant, clinically relevant concentration - well above the 2-5% efficacy threshold.

12% Niacinamide at INCI position 2 confirms a dominant, clinically relevant concentration - well above the 2-5% efficacy threshold. Azelaic Acid at position 10 adds a tyrosinase-inhibiting brightening mechanism and mild keratolytic action that complements Niacinamide's melanosome transfer inhibition. Glyceryl Glucoside is a prebiotic barrier-supporting active. The lean 17-ingredient formula minimises unnecessary additives appropriate for acne-prone skin.

Claims Evidence

Strong

Good evidence for stated claims based on public information.

12% Niacinamide is brand-confirmed and publicly stated. Full INCI is accessible on foxtale.in. Azelaic Acid is named as a key active on the product page but no concentration is disclosed. The '14-day clinical acne reduction' claim has not been supported by published trial data. Allergen Free Fragrance presence is not prominently called out on front-of-pack.

Test Transparency

Grade CFair

No independent clinical study, efficacy test, or safety assessment has been published for this product.

No independent clinical study, efficacy test, or safety assessment has been published for this product. The 12% niacinamide concentration disclosure is above average for the Indian market. Azelaic Acid concentration at position 10 is not disclosed, making independent efficacy assessment incomplete.

Consumer Clarity

Strong

The 12% niacinamide concentration is clearly communicated and the formula purpose is well-explained.

The 12% niacinamide concentration is clearly communicated and the formula purpose is well-explained. Azelaic Acid is named but not quantified. Allergen Free Fragrance is not explained as a fragrance component in consumer-facing materials. No usage-frequency guidance on the product page.

Ingredient list

17 ingredients · INCI order

Strong

SafeNoteCaution

Ingredient	What it does
Aqua	Solvent base
Niacinamide	Brand-confirmed 12%; sebum regulation, pore minimisation, PIH reduction; position 2 confirms dominant concentration
Hexylene Glycol	Solvent and humectant, position 3; mild antimicrobial, low sensitisation risk at cosmetic concentrations
PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether	Skin-conditioning emollient and humectant
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative, within EU/India 1% limit
Betaine	Plant-derived osmolyte humectant, moisture balance and calming
Glycerin	Humectant, moisture retention
Glyceryl Glucoside	Prebiotic skin-hydrating active, barrier support
Allantoin	Soothing and skin-repairing; buffers irritation from high niacinamide load
Azelaic Acid	Tyrosinase inhibitor, anti-acne keratolytic; position 10 = functional but likely low concentration; % not disclosed
Ethylhexylglycerin	Preservative booster, very low concern
Lecithin	Phospholipid emulsifier, biomimetic skin conditioning
Lysolecithin	Lecithin derivative, skin-conditioning and mild penetration enhancing
Carbomer	Polymer gelling agent, low concern at neutralised pH
Aminomethyl Propanol	pH adjuster, fully neutralised in formula
Disodium EDTA	Chelating agent; effective but not a biodegradable alternative to Sodium Gluconate or Phytic Acid
Allergen Free Fragrance	Synthetic fragrance blend formulated to exclude EU-listed 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

12% NiacinamidePublicly supported

Brand-confirmed on product page and consistent with INCI position 2.

Evidence visible

Clinically proven in 14 daysNeeds proof

Standard marketing language - no published peer-reviewed trial for this specific formula.

Mentioned only

Azelaic Acid key activeNeeds proof

Named on product page but concentration not disclosed; position 10 suggests functional but lower inclusion.

Mentioned only

What would strengthen this review

Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps

○Azelaic Acid concentration not disclosed
○No published clinical trial for this formula
○Allergen Free Fragrance not explained in consumer materials
○Formula pH not disclosed (relevant for Azelaic Acid activity)

About this review

Foxtale's 12% Niacinamide serum offers one of the highest OTC niacinamide concentrations on the Indian market with strong ingredient transparency. The addition of Azelaic Acid is a smart dual-mechanism approach for PIH. The allergen-reduced fragrance system is a reasonable compromise, but consumers should be aware this is not fragrance-free.

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