Clinical Testing for Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash
Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash: Clinical Testing and Efficacy Guide
Quick answer: Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash was tested in a 28-day clinical study on 36 healthy Indian volunteers with wheatish and tanned skin at Mascot Spincontrol Clinical Research Centres, under a dermatologist Principal Investigator and audited to ICH-E6 Good Clinical Practice. Using the product twice daily produced a 17.52% reduction in tan, measured by spectrophotometry as the colour difference between sun-exposed forehead and unexposed neck skin, and a 15.06% increase in skin shine measured by glossymeter. Skin brightness rose 2.06% on the L* scale. Every one of the 36 volunteers improved on all three measures, and no volunteer showed any erythema, dryness, scaling, peeling, itching or tingling at any point in the study.
Key Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash |
| Study type | Clinical, in-vivo, single-blind, non-comparative; subjects served as own reference |
| Panel size | 36 healthy Indian subjects (11 male, 25 female), aged 18–44 |
| Special selection | Wheatish and tanned skin |
| Duration | 28 days, twice daily on whole face |
| Timepoints | T0, 30 minutes, 14 days, 28 days |
| Instruments | Spectrophotometry (L* and ΔE), Glossymetry, dermatological evaluation, subject self-evaluation |
| Laboratory | Mascot Spincontrol India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai |
| Study code | XXX-NF08-HA-FR25 |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Pooja Yadav, Dermatologist, Reg. No. 2017/01/0088 |
| Compliance | ICH-E6 Good Clinical Practice; 75th WMA Declaration of Helsinki, October 2024 |
| Report | Version 01, dated 5 May 2025, QA-audited |
At a Glance: 28-Day Results
Verified Claims
- In a 28-day clinical study on 36 volunteers with wheatish and tanned skin, spectrophotometry recorded a 17.52% reduction in the ΔE parameter, which the laboratory reports as an improvement in tan reduction (p<0.001).
- In the same study, glossymetry recorded a 15.06% increase in skin shine at 28 days (p<0.001).
- In the same study, spectrophotometry recorded a 2.06% increase in the L* parameter, which the laboratory reports as an improvement in skin brightening (p<0.001).
- 100% of the panel showed improvement in tan reduction, skin shine and skin brightness at 28 days.
- Dermatological evaluation by the Principal Investigator recorded no occurrence of erythema, oedema, dryness, scaling, peeling, itching or tingling at any timepoint across the 28 days.
- The study was conducted under ICH-E6 Good Clinical Practice and in conformity with the 75th WMA Declaration of Helsinki, and the report was audited five times by the laboratory’s quality assurance department.
Certificate Verification Details
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Tested | Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash (Product A) |
| Sponsor | Honasa Consumer Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon |
| Testing Laboratory | Mascot Spincontrol India Pvt. Ltd, Sea Breeze Building, Prabhadevi, Mumbai 400025 |
| Study Code | XXX-NF08-HA-FR25 |
| Report Version | V01, dated 5 May 2025 |
| Study Director | Mr. Mohit Lalvani, MD |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Pooja Yadav, Dermatologist, Reg. No. 2017/01/0088 |
| Quality Assurance Manager | Ms. Shraddha Jadhav, General Manager – Quality Assurance |
| Study dates | Screening and T0: 25 March 2025 · T+14: 8 April 2025 · T+28: 22 April 2025 |
| Quality system | ICH-E6 GCP compliant; five documented QA audits between 4 March and 5 May 2025 |
| Regulations | 75th WMA Declaration of Helsinki, Finland, October 2024 |
Results and Interpretation
Tan reduction - spectrophotometry, ΔE
Tan was measured as ΔE, the colour difference between sun-exposed forehead skin and unexposed neck skin. A larger gap means more visible tan. A falling ΔE means the tan is closing.
| Timepoint | ΔE mean | Change vs baseline | Statistically significant |
|---|---|---|---|
| T0 | 4.75 | — | — |
| 30 minutes | 4.62 | −2.76% | No (p=0.0924) |
| 14 days | 4.33 | −9.01% | Yes (p<0.001) |
| 28 days | 4.01 | −17.52% | Yes (p<0.001) |
100% of the panel improved at 14 and 28 days. Tan reduction in this study builds cumulatively: the direction of change is visible from the first wash, reaches statistical significance by 14 days, and roughly doubles again by 28 days. The 30-minute figure is reported as directional and the full timeline is published so the build curve is clear.
Skin shine - glossymetry
| Timepoint | Glossymeter units | Change vs baseline | Significant |
|---|---|---|---|
| T0 | 2.66 | — | — |
| 30 minutes | 2.74 | +3.25% | Yes (p<0.001) |
| 14 days | 2.87 | +8.14% | Yes (p<0.001) |
| 28 days | 3.06 | +15.06% | Yes (p<0.001) |
100% of the panel improved at every timepoint. Shine is measured by light reflectance from the cheekbones at 60°, corrected for skin colour.
Skin brightness - spectrophotometry, L*
L* is the lightness axis, running from 0 (total black) to 100 (total white). It was measured on both cheeks.
| Timepoint | L* mean | Change vs baseline | Significant |
|---|---|---|---|
| T0 | 52.32 | — | — |
| 30 minutes | 52.54 | +0.41% | Yes (p<0.001) |
| 14 days | 52.97 | +1.24% | Yes (p<0.001) |
| 28 days | 53.47 | +2.06% | Yes (p<0.001) |
100% of the panel improved at every timepoint. This is a measured change in surface light reflectance, not a change in skin colour or melanin.
Safety - dermatological evaluation
The Principal Investigator graded seven clinical and functional signs on a 0–3 scale at every visit.
| Sign assessed | Occurrence at any timepoint |
|---|---|
| Erythema | None |
| Oedema | None |
| Dryness | None |
| Scaling | None |
| Peeling | None |
| Itching | None |
| Tingling | None |
Zero occurrence across all 36 subjects at T0, 30 minutes, 14 days and 28 days, with twice-daily use.
What Volunteers Reported
These are volunteers’ own ratings, collected before any instrument measurements were taken so the readings could not influence their answers. Percentages show agreement, tested by Chi-squared at 5%.
| Statement | 30 min | 14 days | 28 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makes my skin even toned | 67% | 94% | 100% |
| Improves skin brightness | 72% | 100% | 100% |
| Reduces tanning compared to before | 67% | 92% | 100% |
| Made my skin glow | 69% | 94% | 100% |
| Improves my skin texture | 72% | 100% | 100% |
| Makes my skin smooth | 67% | 100% | 100% |
| Makes skin soft | 72% | 100% | 100% |
| Helps reduce dark spots | 39% (not significant) | 67% | 97% |
| Does not cause itching | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Does not cause irritation | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Does not give burning sensation | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Fragrance is appealing | 100% | — | — |
| Lathers well | 100% | — | — |
| Cleanses well | 100% | — | — |
| Exfoliates well | 100% | — | — |
| Does not dry the skin | 100% | — | — |
How to read these figures. Agreement rises steadily across the study on every item, with most reaching 100% by 28 days. Dark spot agreement follows the longest build curve - 39% at 30 minutes, 67% at 14 days and 97% at 28 days - reaching statistical significance from 14 days onward. Following the laboratory’s own methodology note, the product’s claims rest on the instrument measurements above; the figures here are reported alongside as the panel’s own experience of using it.
Formulation
Ubtan is a traditional Indian pre-wedding skin preparation, historically made at home from turmeric, gram flour and other kitchen ingredients. This face wash takes that idea into a modern cleanser format.
| Component | Role |
|---|---|
| Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) | Traditional ubtan ingredient; antioxidant, associated with brightening in traditional use |
| Saffron (Crocus Sativus) | Traditional ubtan ingredient |
| Walnut beads | Physical exfoliant; the “exfoliates well” attribute in the self-evaluation |
| Carrot seed oil | Traditional skin-care oil |
| Mild surfactant system | Gentle cleansing that leaves the skin comfortable |
| Glycerin | Humectant |
The tested product was supplied as a 100 ml emulsion in a tube. Nineteen manufacturing batches were used across the study, all documented in the report.
Exclusion profile
| Absent | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sulfates (SLS/SLES) | No volunteer reported dryness, and the dermatologist recorded no dryness across 28 days of twice-daily use |
| Parabens | — |
| Silicones | — |
| Mineral oil and synthetic dyes | — |
Published Research on Key Ingredients
| Ingredient | Published finding | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric / curcumin | Topical and oral curcuminoid preparations show benefit across a range of skin conditions in a systematic review of clinical trials | Vaughn et al., 2016, PMID: 27213821 |
| Turmeric | Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity relevant to photoageing | Hewlings & Kalman, 2017, PMID: 29065496 |
| Saffron (Crocus sativus) | Constituents including crocin show antioxidant and tyrosinase-inhibitory activity in vitro | Bathaie & Mousavi, 2010, PMID: 20370554 |
| Glycerin | Enhances stratum corneum hydration and barrier function | Fluhr et al., 2001, PMID: 11348430 |
| UV and skin pigmentation | Tanning is a UV-induced melanogenic response; photoprotection is the primary means of preventing it | Brenner & Hearing, 2008, PMID: 18435612 |
The Tested Product
Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash with Turmeric & Saffron for Tan Removal
The results on this page come from a 28-day clinical study of this formulation on 36 volunteers at Mascot Spincontrol, Mumbai. See the complete ingredient list, current offers and reviews on the product page. Learn more about Turmeric and Saffron. You can also explore the full Ubtan range or other face washes.
Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash is patch tested on human subjects under dermatologist supervision - read the patch test certificate.
It is also NABL lab tested - see the NABL test certificate for the laboratory report.
View ProductView the Original Study Report
The full audited study report, Version 01 dated 5 May 2025, is published below and in the certificate library.
Clinical study report - Study Code XXX-NF08-HA-FR25, Version 01, dated 5 May 2025, Mascot Spincontrol India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions below reflect what people in India actually search. Search demand from Ahrefs, September 2026.
A: Ubtan is a traditional Indian skin paste, most associated with pre-wedding rituals, historically made at home from ingredients like turmeric, gram flour, sandalwood, rose water and mustard or almond oil. It has been used for generations for cleansing, exfoliating and brightening. Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash takes that tradition into a modern face wash format with turmeric and saffron.
A: It is a face wash built around traditional ubtan ingredients. In a 28-day clinical study on 36 volunteers with wheatish and tanned skin, twice-daily use produced a 17.52% reduction in tan measured by spectrophotometry and a 15.06% increase in skin shine measured by glossymeter, with no irritation recorded by the dermatologist.
A: In this study, yes, and it was measured by instrument rather than asked in a questionnaire. Tan was quantified as the colour gap between sun-exposed forehead skin and unexposed neck skin. That gap narrowed by 9.01% at 14 days and 17.52% at 28 days, with every one of the 36 volunteers improving. The effect builds with use: give it the full four weeks the study measured.
A: There is no single best for everyone, but there is a useful test: ask whether the tan claim was measured or just asked about in a questionnaire. This product’s tan reduction was measured by spectrophotometry across 28 days on 36 people, with the study report and its statistics published. Comparing that kind of evidence, rather than comparing marketing copy, is the practical way to choose.
A: The measurable case for it is a 28-day GCP-audited clinical study under a dermatologist Principal Investigator, in which every one of 36 volunteers improved on tan, shine and brightness, and none developed any irritation across twice-daily use for a month. It works cumulatively over four weeks, and it works on tan and dullness rather than on your natural skin tone - see the next two answers for what that means in practice.
A: Yes. The study protocol was twice daily for 28 days on the whole face, and the dermatologist recorded zero occurrence of dryness, scaling, peeling, erythema, itching or tingling at any point. 100% of volunteers agreed it did not dry the skin. If your skin is very dry or sensitive, once daily is a reasonable start.
A: The exact method used in the study: take roughly 1 gram on the palm, apply all over the face, massage gently with fingertips in circular motions starting at the forehead and moving to the cheeks to build lather, then rinse with water and pat dry with a towel. Morning and night.
A: It works on tan and dullness rather than on natural skin tone, and it is worth understanding the difference. The study measured a 2.06% increase in the L* value at 28 days, which reflects how much light the skin surface returns once tan, dead cells and dullness are cleared. Your underlying tone is set by genetics and stays yours. For the best result, pair this with daily sunscreen: the face wash addresses the tan you already have, and sunscreen keeps new tan from building on top of it.
A: Skin shine and brightness were measurable from 30 minutes after the very first wash. Tan reduction builds over a longer curve, reaching statistical significance at 14 days and roughly doubling again by 28 days. Give it four weeks of twice-daily use, which is what the study measured.
A: The ingredients have a long history of traditional use, and turmeric in particular has a body of published clinical literature behind it. For this specific formulation, the dermatological evaluation is the strongest signal: seven irritation signs graded at four timepoints across 36 people using it twice a day for a month, with zero occurrences of any of them.
A: This is the item with the longest build curve in the study. Agreement that it helped reduce dark spots was 39% at 30 minutes, 67% at 14 days and 97% at 28 days, reaching statistical significance from 14 days onward - so it is very much a question of giving it time. These figures come from the panel’s own assessment; dark spots were not among the parameters measured by instrument in this study, so the four weeks of consistent use matters here more than anywhere else on the page.
A: Yes. The panel was 11 men and 25 women, so the results include male skin. Tan is often more pronounced on the face, neck and forearms in people with more daily sun exposure, which cuts across gender.
A: You can, and people have for generations - the tradition is genuine and this product is built on it. What a formulated version adds is consistency from wash to wash, a ready-to-use texture that rinses cleanly without staining, and a measured safety and efficacy record from a dermatologist-supervised clinical study. Many people use both: the ritual when they have time, the face wash for everyday.
What This Study Does Not Establish
Read the figures on this page with these limits in mind.
1. Any change in natural skin tone or melanin. The L* result is surface light reflectance.
2. Instrument-measured reduction in dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
3. Prevention of new tanning, which requires sun protection.
4. Results beyond 28 days, or after stopping use.
5. Comparison against any other product - this was a non-comparative study.
How to Use
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Take approximately 1 g on the palm |
| 2 | Apply all over the face |
| 3 | Massage gently with fingertips in circular motions, from forehead towards cheeks, building lather |
| 4 | Rinse with water and pat dry |
| Frequency | Twice a day, morning and night |
| Pair with | Daily sunscreen - the study measured tan removal, not tan prevention |
Study Summary
Results reflect testing on the commercial formulation under the experimental conditions of the study. Individual results may vary.
References
- Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Phytother Res. 2016;30(8):1243-1264. PMID: 27213821
- Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. Curcumin: a review of its effects on human health. Foods. 2017;6(10):92. PMID: 29065496
- Bathaie SZ, Mousavi SZ. New applications and mechanisms of action of saffron and its important ingredients. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010;50(8):761-786. PMID: 20370554
- Fluhr JW, Mao-Qiang M, Brown BE, et al. Glycerol regulates stratum corneum hydration. J Invest Dermatol. 2001;117(3):570-577. PMID: 11348430
- Brenner M, Hearing VJ. The protective role of melanin against UV damage in human skin. Photochem Photobiol. 2008;84(3):539-549. PMID: 18435612
- Mascot Spincontrol India Pvt. Ltd. Confidential Report XXX-NF08-HA-FR25, Version 01. May 2025.
Shop Mamaearth Ubtan Natural Glow Face Wash
You've seen the study - 36 volunteers, 28 days, every one improved on tan, shine and brightness, zero irritation recorded. See the full ingredient list, offers and reviews on the product page, browse the Ubtan range, or pair it with a daily sunscreen so new tan does not build on top of what the face wash clears.
