Know what's
in your products.
A glossary of key cosmetic ingredients, industry terms, and what they mean for your health. Bookmark this, it'll change how you shop.
Find your skin type. Build your routine.
Science-backed guides for Indian skin. Read in under 5 minutes.
How the Clean Sheet Score works
Every product is evaluated across four pillars and scored 0–100.
Carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, sensitization, exposure risk
Claim substantiation, active ingredient stability, performance testing
Full INCI disclosure, allergen labeling, no misleading marketing
Biodegradability, ethical sourcing, packaging recyclability
Try Ask Clean, paste any ingredient list and see how a real product scores across all four pillars in seconds.
Open Ask Clean
India Cosmetic Regulations
India's primary regulation, governs manufacture, sale, and import. No legal definition of 'clean' or 'natural'.
Products sold in India must list ingredients in INCI format. Many brands still don't comply fully with complete disclosure.
The Clean Sheet cross-references the EU's list of 1,328 banned cosmetic substances, India's regulation is far less restrictive.
Ingredient glossary
The terms you need to know when reading a label.
INCI
International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
The standardized system for naming cosmetic ingredients used globally. By law in India and the EU, all ingredients must be listed in INCI format.
Endocrine Disruptors
Chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems
Chemicals that mimic or block hormones in the body. Common examples in cosmetics include parabens, oxybenzone, and triclosan. Linked to reproductive issues and developmental problems.
Formaldehyde Releasers
Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde
Preservatives used in cosmetics that release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is an IARC Group 1 carcinogen. Commonly found in hair products and moisturizers.
Leave-on vs Rinse-off
Product usage type that affects safety assessment
Leave-on products (serums, moisturizers, sunscreens) have prolonged skin contact and carry higher exposure risk. Rinse-off products (cleansers, shampoos) are evaluated more leniently.
SCCS
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
The EU body that provides scientific opinions on the safety of cosmetic ingredients. The Clean Sheet uses SCCS guidelines as a primary reference.
Parabens
Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, etc.
Synthetic preservatives widely used in cosmetics. Linked to estrogen mimicry. The EU has restricted several parabens. Common in moisturizers, shampoos, and makeup.
SLS / SLES
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Common surfactants (lathering agents). SLS is a known skin and eye irritant that can disrupt the skin barrier. SLES is milder but may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen.
Oxybenzone
Benzophenone-3
A chemical UV filter found in sunscreens. Acts as an endocrine disruptor and accumulates in the body. Banned in Hawaii and Palau due to coral reef toxicity.
Clean Sheet Score
The Clean Sheet™ proprietary 0–100 safety score
A composite score based on Safety (50%), Efficacy (20%), Transparency (20%), and Sustainability (10%). Above 90 = Excellent, 75–89 = Good, 60–74 = Fair, Below 60 = Fail.
Fragrance / Parfum
Undisclosed fragrance mixture
A catch-all ingredient that can contain up to 3,000 individual chemicals, many of which are allergens or sensitizers. Brands are not required to disclose individual fragrance components in most markets.