Getting you a comprehensive review of the product
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
Join The Clean Sheet™ community
Science-backed beauty tips, ingredient alerts, and early access. Straight to your WhatsApp.
Join for free →
Pilgrim's Oil Control Serum delivers on its core promises for oily and acne-prone skin with a well-formulated blend of actives, but its 'fragrance-free' claim is undermined by the inclusion of Tea Tree Oil, highlighting a common transparency gap in beauty marketing.
₹347 • 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 has a consistent MRP across major platforms, but is frequently available with significant discounts, making the effective price much lower than the stated MRP. Consumers should compare current offers before purchasing. 2 marketing claims could draw ASCI scrutiny under India's advertising code; the ingredient list is the more reliable guide.
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.
Formula logic supports lightweight, leave-on format. 'Gentle' is supported by soothing ingredients and consumer study results showing reduction in acne/blemishes.
2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) is a known exfoliant. Its concentration is disclosed and high in INCI.
2% Salicylic Acid is effective for unclogging pores. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in acne, blackheads and/or whiteheads.
Active percentages are disclosed and ingredients are high in INCI.
Niacinamide regulates sebum. Consumer study reported 92% felt skin was less oily. 'Trains the skin' is a strong functional claim, but the consumer study provides some finished product support for sebum regulation.
INCI starts with Purified Water, supporting water-based claim. Formula appears lightweight.
Salicylic Acid is known to prevent comedones and reduce oil. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in blackheads/whiteheads and 92% felt skin was less oily.
Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide can help minimize pore appearance. Consumer study reported 87% observed visibly smaller pores.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against the label.
Brand describes ingredient origin in its claims.
Screened against the ingredient database (13 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.
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
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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 |
|---|
Purified Water |
Niacinamide |
Salicylic Acid |
Propanediol |
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract |
Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Extract |
Willow Bark Extract |
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe-Vera) Leaf Extract |
Sodium Lactate |
Sodium Gluconate |
Propanediol |
Betaine |
Phenoxyethanol |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) |
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) |
Sodium Benzoate |
Potassium Sorbate |
Heptyl Glucoside |
Hydroxyethyl Urea |
Xanthan Gum |
Allantoin |
Sodium Gluconate |
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil |
Tocopherol 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.
“Dermatologically tested and FDA approved.”
The term 'FDA approved' for a cosmetic product can be misleading as cosmetics are regulated/licensed, not 'approved' in the same way drugs are. This may overstate the regulatory endorsement.
“100% vegan, natural, free from 20 toxic chemicals, sulphates, parabens and fragrance; cruelty free.”
The claim 'fragrance-free' is directly contradicted by the presence of Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil in the INCI, which is known for its scent and listed as a perfuming agent. This is a material misrepresentation.
Formula logic supports lightweight, leave-on format. 'Gentle' is supported by soothing ingredients and consumer study results showing reduction in acne/blemishes.
Evidence visible
2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) is a known exfoliant. Its concentration is disclosed and high in INCI.
Mentioned only
2% Salicylic Acid is effective for unclogging pores. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in acne, blackheads and/or whiteheads.
Evidence visible
Active percentages are disclosed and ingredients are high in INCI.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide regulates sebum. Consumer study reported 92% felt skin was less oily. 'Trains the skin' is a strong functional claim, but the consumer study provides some finished product support for sebum regulation.
Evidence visible
INCI starts with Purified Water, supporting water-based claim. Formula appears lightweight.
Mentioned only
Salicylic Acid is known to prevent comedones and reduce oil. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in blackheads/whiteheads and 92% felt skin was less oily.
Evidence visible
Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide can help minimize pore appearance. Consumer study reported 87% observed visibly smaller pores.
Evidence visible
Niacinamide is well-researched for barrier support and acne resistance.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide is known to help with hyperpigmentation. However, this is ingredient-level evidence, not finished product evidence for this specific claim.
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 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
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
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.
Active percentages are disclosed and ingredients are high in INCI.
Niacinamide regulates sebum. Consumer study reported 92% felt skin was less oily. 'Trains the skin' is a strong functional claim, but the consumer study provides some finished product support for sebum regulation.
INCI starts with Purified Water, supporting water-based claim. Formula appears lightweight.
Salicylic Acid is known to prevent comedones and reduce oil. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in blackheads/whiteheads and 92% felt skin was less oily.
Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide can help minimize pore appearance. Consumer study reported 87% observed visibly smaller pores.
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.
Formula logic supports lightweight, leave-on format. 'Gentle' is supported by soothing ingredients and consumer study results showing reduction in acne/blemishes.
Evidence visible
2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) is a known exfoliant. Its concentration is disclosed and high in INCI.
Mentioned only
2% Salicylic Acid is effective for unclogging pores. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in acne, blackheads and/or whiteheads.
Evidence visible
Active percentages are disclosed and ingredients are high in INCI.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide regulates sebum. Consumer study reported 92% felt skin was less oily. 'Trains the skin' is a strong functional claim, but the consumer study provides some finished product support for sebum regulation.
Evidence visible
INCI starts with Purified Water, supporting water-based claim. Formula appears lightweight.
Mentioned only
Salicylic Acid is known to prevent comedones and reduce oil. Consumer study reported 90% saw reduction in blackheads/whiteheads and 92% felt skin was less oily.
Evidence visible
Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide can help minimize pore appearance. Consumer study reported 87% observed visibly smaller pores.
Evidence visible
Niacinamide is well-researched for barrier support and acne resistance.
Mentioned only
Niacinamide is known to help with hyperpigmentation. However, this is ingredient-level evidence, not finished product evidence for this specific claim.
Mentioned only
“Dermatologically tested and FDA approved.”
The term 'FDA approved' for a cosmetic product can be misleading as cosmetics are regulated/licensed, not 'approved' in the same way drugs are. This may overstate the regulatory endorsement.
“100% vegan, natural, free from 20 toxic chemicals, sulphates, parabens and fragrance; cruelty free.”
The claim 'fragrance-free' is directly contradicted by the presence of Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil in the INCI, which is known for its scent and listed as a perfuming agent. This is a material misrepresentation.
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
