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Pilgrim's 15% Vitamin C (EAA) Serum offers a well-formulated blend of proven actives for brightening, but consumers should manage expectations regarding 'all skin types' suitability and note the significant price fluctuations across retailers.
₹251 • 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 shows significant price variation across platforms, with quick commerce (Zepto) offering the lowest prices, indicating aggressive discounting. The brand's own website lists the highest price, suggesting a common practice of marketplace-driven promotions. 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.
Contains 15% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (EAA) as stated. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Supported by the presence of 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a known stable derivative of Vitamin C. Ingredient-level research supports its stability and penetration.
15% EAA is a high concentration. Brand's consumer study reports 93% reduced hyperpigmentation and 91% reduced dark spots. Ingredient research supports EAA's efficacy.
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 93% noticed reduced hyperpigmentation.
The blend of Vitamin C, Ferulic acid, and Vitamin E are known antioxidants that can help protect against environmental stressors, but this is ingredient-level evidence. No finished product study on sun damage protection (e.g., SPF/PA testing) is provided.
Kakadu Plum is known for high Vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. This is ingredient-level evidence.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against the label.
Screened against the ingredient database (15 of 25 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.
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
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 |
|---|
Purified Water |
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
Niacinamide |
Butylene Glycol |
Propanediol |
Betaine |
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract |
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Extract |
Phenoxyethanol |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Sodium PCA |
Sodium Hyaluronate |
Sodium Lactate |
Sodium Gluconate |
Hydroxyethyl Urea |
Sodium Benzoate |
Potassium Sorbate |
Allantoin |
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose |
Polysorbate 20 |
Glycerin |
Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract |
Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract |
Ferulic Acid |
Tocopheryl Acetate |
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.
Contains 15% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (EAA) as stated. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
Supported by the presence of 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a known stable derivative of Vitamin C. Ingredient-level research supports its stability and penetration.
Mentioned only
15% EAA is a high concentration. Brand's consumer study reports 93% reduced hyperpigmentation and 91% reduced dark spots. Ingredient research supports EAA's efficacy.
Evidence visible
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 93% noticed reduced hyperpigmentation.
Evidence visible
The blend of Vitamin C, Ferulic acid, and Vitamin E are known antioxidants that can help protect against environmental stressors, but this is ingredient-level evidence. No finished product study on sun damage protection (e.g., SPF/PA testing) is provided.
Mentioned only
Kakadu Plum is known for high Vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. This is ingredient-level evidence.
Mentioned only
This is a widely cited characteristic of Kakadu Plum, but it's ingredient-level information, not a claim about the finished product's efficacy based on this specific amount.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide is a well-researched active for these benefits. The brand's consumer study also supports reduction in dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Mentioned only
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
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.
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
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.
15% EAA is a high concentration. Brand's consumer study reports 93% reduced hyperpigmentation and 91% reduced dark spots. Ingredient research supports EAA's efficacy.
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 93% noticed reduced hyperpigmentation.
The blend of Vitamin C, Ferulic acid, and Vitamin E are known antioxidants that can help protect against environmental stressors, but this is ingredient-level evidence. No finished product study on sun damage protection (e.g., SPF/PA testing) is provided.
Kakadu Plum is known for high Vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. This is ingredient-level evidence.
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.
Contains 15% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (EAA) as stated. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
Supported by the presence of 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a known stable derivative of Vitamin C. Ingredient-level research supports its stability and penetration.
Mentioned only
15% EAA is a high concentration. Brand's consumer study reports 93% reduced hyperpigmentation and 91% reduced dark spots. Ingredient research supports EAA's efficacy.
Evidence visible
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 95% observed brighter skin.
Evidence visible
Supported by 15% EAA and Niacinamide. Brand's consumer study reports 93% noticed reduced hyperpigmentation.
Evidence visible
The blend of Vitamin C, Ferulic acid, and Vitamin E are known antioxidants that can help protect against environmental stressors, but this is ingredient-level evidence. No finished product study on sun damage protection (e.g., SPF/PA testing) is provided.
Mentioned only
Kakadu Plum is known for high Vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. This is ingredient-level evidence.
Mentioned only
This is a widely cited characteristic of Kakadu Plum, but it's ingredient-level information, not a claim about the finished product's efficacy based on this specific amount.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide is a well-researched active for these benefits. The brand's consumer study also supports reduction in dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Mentioned only
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
