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ApprovedMinimalist's 10% Vitamin C serum delivers on its brightening and dark spot claims with a transparent, well-formulated product backed by visible clinical data, making it a strong contender in its category.
₹699 • Analysed 18 July 2026
Actives like this can raise sun sensitivity, which India's high year-round UV makes significant, so pairing with a daytime SPF is important; the lighter the vehicle, the better it tends to wear in heat and humidity. The product maintains a consistent MRP of Rs. 699 across all major Indian e-commerce and quick commerce platforms, indicating transparent pricing, though it is frequently available at discounted rates. The marketing stays within India's cosmetic advertising norms (ASCI / CDSCO), with claims that match what the formula can do.
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 website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks', '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots', and '97% subjects found brighter skin', indicating a clinical study with quantified results and duration.
Percentage of active ingredient is explicitly disclosed by the brand and appears high in the INCI list.
Ingredient 'Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract' is listed as the first ingredient in the INCI, indicating a meaningful concentration.
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin').
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C derivative) is generally known to stimulate collagen synthesis, but no finished product specific evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Brand website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks' and '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots'.
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin') and dark spot reduction.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a well-established antioxidant in cosmetic science.
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 (12 of 22 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.
No commonly-comedogenic ingredient found - a reasonable fit for acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Brand claims dermatologist testing (claim stated; underlying report not seen).
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
The product pH is disclosed - important for acids / vitamin C / cleansers.
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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 |
|---|
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract |
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
Dimethyl Isosorbide |
Ethoxydiglycol |
Glycerin |
Sodium Gluconate |
Acetyl Glucosamine |
Gluconolactone |
Citric Acid |
Pentylene Glycol |
Sodium Hyaluronate |
Pullulan |
Hydroxyethylcellulose |
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate |
Xanthan Gum |
Sclerotium Gum |
Phenoxyethanol |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Lecithin |
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer |
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate |
Sodium Citrate |
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 website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks', '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots', and '97% subjects found brighter skin', indicating a clinical study with quantified results and duration.
Evidence visible
Percentage of active ingredient is explicitly disclosed by the brand and appears high in the INCI list.
Mentioned only
Ingredient 'Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract' is listed as the first ingredient in the INCI, indicating a meaningful concentration.
Mentioned only
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin').
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C derivative) is generally known to stimulate collagen synthesis, but no finished product specific evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Mentioned only
Brand website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks' and '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots'.
Evidence visible
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin') and dark spot reduction.
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a well-established antioxidant in cosmetic science.
Mentioned only
Stated by the brand; this pH range is appropriate for the stability and efficacy of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum' or 'Fragrance' or any essential oils.
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.
No commonly-comedogenic ingredient found - a reasonable fit for acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Brand claims dermatologist testing (claim stated; underlying report not seen).
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
The product pH is disclosed - important for acids / vitamin C / cleansers.
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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.
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin').
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C derivative) is generally known to stimulate collagen synthesis, but no finished product specific evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Brand website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks' and '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots'.
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin') and dark spot reduction.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a well-established antioxidant in cosmetic science.
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 website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks', '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots', and '97% subjects found brighter skin', indicating a clinical study with quantified results and duration.
Evidence visible
Percentage of active ingredient is explicitly disclosed by the brand and appears high in the INCI list.
Mentioned only
Ingredient 'Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract' is listed as the first ingredient in the INCI, indicating a meaningful concentration.
Mentioned only
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin').
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C derivative) is generally known to stimulate collagen synthesis, but no finished product specific evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Mentioned only
Brand website graphic states 'Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by 29% in 8 weeks' and '93% subjects found reduction in dark spots'.
Evidence visible
Supported by the primary active (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and clinical data for brighter skin ('97% subjects found brighter skin') and dark spot reduction.
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a well-established antioxidant in cosmetic science.
Mentioned only
Stated by the brand; this pH range is appropriate for the stability and efficacy of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum' or 'Fragrance' or any essential oils.
Missing
