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PLUMSerums
1.5% Vitamin C & Mandarin Pore Tightening Toner
A clean, short-formula vitamin C toner using 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid at 1.5% (brand-stated). No penetration enhancers, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance. Witch Hazel provides tannin-mediated astringency for the pore-tightening claim. Cyclodextrin stabilises the vitamin C. Benzyl Alcohol acts as both preservative and allergen. Mandarin Peel Extract carries a phototoxic furanocoumarin risk for morning use without SPF.
MOSTLYCLEAN
Mostly CleanBest for
- Daily Use
- Combination skin
Avoid if
- You have fragrance sensitivities
- Contains Potential Allergen
Rs. 382 - Rs. 425 • Analysed 10 June 2026
India Context
A stable vitamin C toner is a practical daily brightening step in a routine where a full-strength vitamin C serum might feel too heavy for India's humid climate. At 1.5%, this provides consistent antioxidant protection without the potential sensitivity of higher-concentration actives. The Witch Hazel pore-tightening benefit is useful for oily Indian skin types but may strip barrier if overused on dry areas. Always follow with SPF in the morning given the Mandarin Peel extract's phototoxic potential.
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
✓Vegan
What was checked
Good
What was checked
Good
1.5% Vitamin CVerified
Brand explicitly states 1.5% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid on label.
Published evidence
Pore TighteningVerified
Witch Hazel tannins provide a documented transient astringent effect. Effect is temporary and not long-term structural pore reduction.
Published evidence
BrighteningNeeds context
Vitamin C brightening mechanism is established, but no formula-specific study published. At 1.5%, the concentration is supportive rather than clinically potent.
Brand claim
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 SafetyExcellent
Ingredient Safety
Excellent
Clean allergen profile with a fragrance free formula.
No penetration enhancers, no parabens, no synthetic Parfum, no formaldehyde releasers. Mandarin Peel Extract may contain furanocoumarins that make skin more sensitive to sunlight depending on extraction method; morning use without SPF should be avoided. Benzyl Alcohol serves as both preservative and EU fragrance allergen in this leave-on product. Witch Hazel is mild and well-tolerated in most skin types. The 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is well-characterised and safe. Overall a very clean safety profile.
Formula LogicStrong
Formula Logic
Strong
The ethylated vitamin C derivative is the right choice for a water-based toner formula: L-ascorbic acid degrades quickly in water, while this derivative stays stable on the shelf. Cyclodextrin locks the vitamin C in a stable environment for storage. Witch Hazel provides genuine though temporary pore-appearance reduction through its tannin content, which causes the skin around pores to contract briefly. At 1.5%, this is appropriate antioxidant support for a daily toner step rather than a high-potency treatment, which is appropriate for its place in a routine.
Claims EvidenceGood
Claims Evidence
Good
The 1.5% vitamin C concentration is disclosed. The formula is short and the full ingredient list is published. The 'Pore Tightening' claim is mechanistically valid through Witch Hazel astringency, but the effect is temporary and disappears as the product absorbs. This distinction is not explained to consumers. Mandarin Peel's potential phototoxicity for morning use is not flagged. No clinical data has been published.
“1.5% Vitamin C” Brand explicitly states 1.5% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid on label.
“Pore Tightening” Witch Hazel tannins provide a documented transient astringent effect. Effect is temporary and not long-term structural pore reduction.
“Brightening” Vitamin C brightening mechanism is established, but no formula-specific study published. At 1.5%, the concentration is supportive rather than clinically potent.
Test TransparencyGrade CFair
Test Transparency
Grade CFair
No independent study, efficacy test, or safety assessment is publicly accessible. The 1.5% concentration disclosure is a positive baseline step. No published data supports pore-tightening claims beyond the established transient Witch Hazel mechanism.
Consumer ClarityStrong
Consumer Clarity
Strong
The vitamin C concentration is clearly communicated. The temporary nature of the pore-tightening effect is not explained. Mandarin Peel phototoxicity risk for morning use without SPF is not flagged. Benzyl Alcohol's dual role is not disclosed.
Ingredient list
Excellent
Ingredient list
Excellent
SafeNoteCaution
| Ingredient |
|---|
Aqua |
Propanediol |
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
Methyl Gluceth-20 |
Citrus Reticulata (Mandarin) Peel Extract |
Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract |
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract |
Sodium Citrate |
Cyclodextrin |
Benzyl Alcohol |
Hydroxyacetophenone |
Caprylyl Glycol |
Sodium Gluconate |
Sorbitol |
Citric Acid |
Sucrose |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
Regulatory screen
Clear
Regulatory screen
Clear
EU 1223/2009EU Cosmetics Regulation - Annexes II–VI
No banned substances; Benzyl Alcohol requires allergen labelling above 0.001% threshold in leave-on products under EU 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
Good
Claims checked
Good
1.5% Vitamin CPublicly supported
Brand explicitly states 1.5% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid on label.
Evidence visible
Pore TighteningPublicly supported
Witch Hazel tannins provide a documented transient astringent effect. Effect is temporary and not long-term structural pore reduction.
Evidence visible
BrighteningNeeds proof
Vitamin C brightening mechanism is established, but no formula-specific study published. At 1.5%, the concentration is supportive rather than clinically potent.
Mentioned only
What would strengthen this review
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
- ○Pore-tightening effect is temporary (Witch Hazel astringency) - not disclosed to consumers
- ○Mandarin peel phototoxicity risk for morning use without SPF not flagged
- ○No clinical study published for this formula
About this review
One of Plum's cleanest formulas - no penetration enhancers, no parabens, short INCI, and disclosed concentration. Mandarin Peel phototoxicity risk and the temporary nature of the pore-tightening claim are minor gaps.
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
