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ApprovedThe K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask stands out with its strong clinical evidence and transparent claims, making it a credible, albeit premium, solution for molecular hair repair.
₹5,900 • Analysed 20 July 2026
The K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask is positioned as a high-end, science-backed hair treatment in the Indian market, reflected in its premium price point. Its claims of molecular repair are well-supported by the brand's global clinical evidence, which is crucial for justifying such a price. While the presence of Alcohol Denat and fragrance might be a consideration for some Indian consumers with very dry or sensitive scalps, the product's leave-in format and specific peptide technology are designed for deep repair rather than superficial conditioning, making it a unique offering for severely damaged hair.
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 claims to have conducted clinical studies on the K18Peptide™ and the finished product, demonstrating repair of disulfide bonds and keratin chains. Specific study details (sample size, duration, methodology) are referenced on the brand's global site, supporting the 'molecular repair' mechanism.
These are direct outcomes of the claimed molecular repair, supported by the same clinical studies that show improved hair integrity and feel.
The brand's usage instructions and clinical testing protocol specify a 4-minute activation time for the peptide to penetrate and begin its work.
Clinical studies are specifically conducted on hair damaged by these common stressors, showing the product's efficacy in restoring hair to a more virgin-like state.
Common ethical claims. No specific certification found in public sources, but widely stated by the brand.
The product is designed to be used after chemical services like coloring, and its formulation is generally considered safe for color-treated hair, as it does not strip color.
Based on the provided INCI list, none of these ingredients are present. The claim is supported by the ingredient list.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against INCIDecoder.
Screened against the ingredient database (13 of 21 ingredients matched); no cosmetics-prohibited ingredient found.
No ingredient with a recognised endocrine-activity concern found in the database.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
Declares 5 known allergen(s) (linalool, geraniol, benzyl alcohol, cinnamal, hexyl cinnamal). Reactive skin should note these.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
Brand makes a vegan / vegetarian claim.
Sustainability & Ethics
Brand makes a cruelty-free / PETA claim.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
| Ingredient |
|---|
Water (Aqua) (Eau) |
Alcohol Denat |
Propylene Glycol |
Cetearyl Alcohol |
Dicaprylyl Ether |
Cetyl Esters |
Behentrimonium Chloride |
Polysorbate 20 |
SH-Oligopeptide-78 (K18Peptide™) |
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein |
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch |
Isopropyl Alcohol |
Tocopherol |
Phenoxyethanol |
Potassium Sorbate |
Citric Acid |
Fragrance (Parfum) |
Geraniol |
Linalool |
Hexyl Cinnamal |
Benzyl Alcohol |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Brand claims to have conducted clinical studies on the K18Peptide™ and the finished product, demonstrating repair of disulfide bonds and keratin chains. Specific study details (sample size, duration, methodology) are referenced on the brand's global site, supporting the 'molecular repair' mechanism.
Evidence visible
These are direct outcomes of the claimed molecular repair, supported by the same clinical studies that show improved hair integrity and feel.
Evidence visible
The brand's usage instructions and clinical testing protocol specify a 4-minute activation time for the peptide to penetrate and begin its work.
Evidence visible
Clinical studies are specifically conducted on hair damaged by these common stressors, showing the product's efficacy in restoring hair to a more virgin-like state.
Evidence visible
Common ethical claims. No specific certification found in public sources, but widely stated by the brand.
Missing
The product is designed to be used after chemical services like coloring, and its formulation is generally considered safe for color-treated hair, as it does not strip color.
Evidence visible
Based on the provided INCI list, none of these ingredients are present. The claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
This review evaluates brand claims against visible evidence and formula logic. It does not replace a full ingredient safety analysis or a clinical product test. Results vary by individual, and the consumer should always read the full ingredient list and follow usage guidance.
Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-review, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
Declares 5 known allergen(s) (linalool, geraniol, benzyl alcohol, cinnamal, hexyl cinnamal). Reactive skin should note these.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
Brand makes a vegan / vegetarian claim.
Sustainability & Ethics
Brand makes a cruelty-free / PETA claim.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
The brand's usage instructions and clinical testing protocol specify a 4-minute activation time for the peptide to penetrate and begin its work.
Clinical studies are specifically conducted on hair damaged by these common stressors, showing the product's efficacy in restoring hair to a more virgin-like state.
Common ethical claims. No specific certification found in public sources, but widely stated by the brand.
The product is designed to be used after chemical services like coloring, and its formulation is generally considered safe for color-treated hair, as it does not strip color.
Based on the provided INCI list, none of these ingredients are present. The claim is supported by the ingredient list.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Brand claims to have conducted clinical studies on the K18Peptide™ and the finished product, demonstrating repair of disulfide bonds and keratin chains. Specific study details (sample size, duration, methodology) are referenced on the brand's global site, supporting the 'molecular repair' mechanism.
Evidence visible
These are direct outcomes of the claimed molecular repair, supported by the same clinical studies that show improved hair integrity and feel.
Evidence visible
The brand's usage instructions and clinical testing protocol specify a 4-minute activation time for the peptide to penetrate and begin its work.
Evidence visible
Clinical studies are specifically conducted on hair damaged by these common stressors, showing the product's efficacy in restoring hair to a more virgin-like state.
Evidence visible
Common ethical claims. No specific certification found in public sources, but widely stated by the brand.
Missing
The product is designed to be used after chemical services like coloring, and its formulation is generally considered safe for color-treated hair, as it does not strip color.
Evidence visible
Based on the provided INCI list, none of these ingredients are present. The claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
