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A powerful brightening serum with robust clinical evidence for its core claims, but sensitive skin types should approach with caution and integrate slowly.
₹6,880 • Analysed 27 July 2026
This Murad serum is positioned as a premium brightening treatment in the Indian market, with a price point reflecting its active ingredients and clinical claims. The combination of Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid is well-suited for addressing common concerns like hyperpigmentation and dullness in Fitzpatrick III-V skin types, prevalent in India. The brand's clinical claim of '55% brighter skin in 4 weeks' is a strong selling point, though the 'suitable for all skin types' claim for an active serum might warrant caution for very sensitive Indian skin, especially given the high UV index and potential for increased sensitivity.
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.
Supported by the presence of Glycolic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and a clinical study demonstrating 55% brighter skin in 4 weeks.
Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are high in the INCI, supporting exfoliation. Accelerated Vitamin C penetration is plausible due to exfoliation and Dimethyl Isosorbide.
Brand states: 'In a clinical study, 30 participants, ages 25-65, used Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum for 4 weeks.' This provides sample size, duration, and result.
Gold is present in the INCI. Ingredient-level research supports the role of gold in stabilizing Vitamin C.
Glycolic Acid is high in the INCI, supporting its exfoliating function. Overall brightening is clinically proven for the product.
The INCI lists Marrubium Vulgare Extract and Verbascum Thapsus Extract, which are likely components of this 'extract'. Ingredient-level research exists for these, but specific 'UV transformation' mechanism for the finished product is not detailed.
INCI list confirms absence of parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), mineral oil, formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone, petrolatum. Murad is Leaping Bunny certified (cruelty-free, implies no animal-derived ingredients).
Murad is Leaping Bunny certified, a recognized cruelty-free standard.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against INCIDecoder.
Brand describes ingredient origin in its claims.
Screened against the ingredient database (29 of 58 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.
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.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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 |
Glycerin |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
Glycolic Acid |
Dimethicone |
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer |
Diisopropyl Sebacate |
C13-16 Isoparaffin |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 |
Lactic Acid |
Dimethyl Isosorbide |
Ascorbic Acid |
Urea |
Yeast Amino Acids |
Trehalose |
Inositol |
Taurine |
Betaine |
Glutathione |
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate |
Gold |
Marrubium Vulgare Extract |
Verbascum Thapsus Extract |
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract |
Xymenynic Acid |
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract |
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract |
Hexylresorcinol |
Tocopheryl Acetate |
Tocopherol |
Cetearyl Isononanoate |
Oleyl Alcohol |
Butylene Glycol |
Polysilicone-11 |
Triheptanoin |
Polyisobutene |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Silica |
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer |
Sodium Surfactin |
Hexylene Glycol |
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether |
Sorbitol |
Xanthan Gum |
Decyl Glucoside |
Propanediol |
Sorbitan Isostearate |
1,2-Hexanediol |
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate |
Tin Oxide |
Citric Acid |
Caprylyl Glycol |
Phenoxyethanol |
Sodium Benzoate |
Potassium Sorbate |
Mica |
Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) |
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.
“Suitable for all skin types.”
An active-heavy product claiming 'all skin types' without specific mildness testing for sensitive skin may be an overreach under ASCI Chapter 4.
Supported by the presence of Glycolic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and a clinical study demonstrating 55% brighter skin in 4 weeks.
Evidence visible
Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are high in the INCI, supporting exfoliation. Accelerated Vitamin C penetration is plausible due to exfoliation and Dimethyl Isosorbide.
Mentioned only
Brand states: 'In a clinical study, 30 participants, ages 25-65, used Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum for 4 weeks.' This provides sample size, duration, and result.
Evidence visible
Gold is present in the INCI. Ingredient-level research supports the role of gold in stabilizing Vitamin C.
Mentioned only
Glycolic Acid is high in the INCI, supporting its exfoliating function. Overall brightening is clinically proven for the product.
Mentioned only
The INCI lists Marrubium Vulgare Extract and Verbascum Thapsus Extract, which are likely components of this 'extract'. Ingredient-level research exists for these, but specific 'UV transformation' mechanism for the finished product is not detailed.
Mentioned only
INCI list confirms absence of parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), mineral oil, formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone, petrolatum. Murad is Leaping Bunny certified (cruelty-free, implies no animal-derived ingredients).
Evidence visible
Murad is Leaping Bunny certified, a recognized cruelty-free standard.
Evidence visible
Brand statement. Common claim for professional skincare brands.
Evidence visible
INCI list does not contain 'Parfum' or 'Fragrance' and INCIDecoder confirms fragrance-free.
Evidence visible
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 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.
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.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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.
Brand states: 'In a clinical study, 30 participants, ages 25-65, used Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum for 4 weeks.' This provides sample size, duration, and result.
Gold is present in the INCI. Ingredient-level research supports the role of gold in stabilizing Vitamin C.
Glycolic Acid is high in the INCI, supporting its exfoliating function. Overall brightening is clinically proven for the product.
The INCI lists Marrubium Vulgare Extract and Verbascum Thapsus Extract, which are likely components of this 'extract'. Ingredient-level research exists for these, but specific 'UV transformation' mechanism for the finished product is not detailed.
INCI list confirms absence of parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), mineral oil, formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone, petrolatum. Murad is Leaping Bunny certified (cruelty-free, implies no animal-derived ingredients).
Murad is Leaping Bunny certified, a recognized cruelty-free standard.
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.
Supported by the presence of Glycolic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and a clinical study demonstrating 55% brighter skin in 4 weeks.
Evidence visible
Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are high in the INCI, supporting exfoliation. Accelerated Vitamin C penetration is plausible due to exfoliation and Dimethyl Isosorbide.
Mentioned only
Brand states: 'In a clinical study, 30 participants, ages 25-65, used Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum for 4 weeks.' This provides sample size, duration, and result.
Evidence visible
Gold is present in the INCI. Ingredient-level research supports the role of gold in stabilizing Vitamin C.
Mentioned only
Glycolic Acid is high in the INCI, supporting its exfoliating function. Overall brightening is clinically proven for the product.
Mentioned only
The INCI lists Marrubium Vulgare Extract and Verbascum Thapsus Extract, which are likely components of this 'extract'. Ingredient-level research exists for these, but specific 'UV transformation' mechanism for the finished product is not detailed.
Mentioned only
INCI list confirms absence of parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), mineral oil, formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone, petrolatum. Murad is Leaping Bunny certified (cruelty-free, implies no animal-derived ingredients).
Evidence visible
Murad is Leaping Bunny certified, a recognized cruelty-free standard.
Evidence visible
Brand statement. Common claim for professional skincare brands.
Evidence visible
INCI list does not contain 'Parfum' or 'Fragrance' and INCIDecoder confirms fragrance-free.
Evidence visible
“Suitable for all skin types.”
An active-heavy product claiming 'all skin types' without specific mildness testing for sensitive skin may be an overreach under ASCI Chapter 4.
