I am sure you might have seen this brand, Dot And Key popping out on your Facebook and Instagram feeds. Have you been wondering about them? Are you looking to try out some of their products? Confused about what to get? This post will be helpful for you. Jotting down my experience with some of the Dot and Key Products in this post.
Dot And Key Review
1. Dot And Key Vitamin C+E Super Bright Moisturizer
Claims: To reduce Dullness, Dark Spots, and Hyperpigmentation.
Skin Type: All Skin Types.
Full Ingredient List: Aqua, Glycerine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine HCl, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Wheat Germ Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Kakadu Plum Fruit Extract, Blood Orange Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, IFRA Certified Allergen Free Fragrance, CI 15985, CI 19140.
Key Ingredients Benefits:
- Kakadu Plum Fruit Extract: boosts skin brightness and reduces dark spots.
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: increases elasticity and firmness of the skin.
- Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: Fights hyperpigmentation.
- Blood Orange Fruit Extract: an antioxidant-rich in minerals and vitamins.
- Shea Butter: nourishes the skin.
- Vitamin E: antioxidant, fights free radical damage
Texture: Sorbet-like gel.
Fragrance: Zesty citrus scent. It’s subtle and not at all overpowering. The smell fades away soon after application.
My Experience: This claims to be a brightening moisturizer made with three types of Vitamin C. Sure, the ingredients have some solid research on skin brightening. But personally, I did not find it brightening.
I’ve used it for two weeks straight day and night. It definitely is a lightweight moisturizer that’s absolutely non-greasy and non-sticky. Someone with oily skin will love this. It gets absorbed super quickly and leaves the skin with a matte finish. On my combination skin, I would say its moisturizing ability was average.
Dry skin may not find it sufficient. But if you are someone who uses hydrating toners, something like the Klairs Toner, you can comfortably use this during the summers.
I noticed that when I used more quantity of the product, it kind of left a film behind, which may not be liked by many. Again if you are layering products underneath, this would work well in sealing them.
Overall, it’s a pretty nice moisturizer. Neither great nor bad, in my opinion.
Rating: 3.5/5
2. Dot And Key 72 Hr Hydrating Gel + Probiotics
Claims: To balance skin microbiome, strengthen Skin Barrier Function, and moisturization.
Skin Type: Combination & Dry Skin.
Full Ingredient List: Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerine, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Silanetriol, Hyaluronic Acid, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Saccharomyces Ferment, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, IFRA Certified Allergen Free Fragrance, CI 42090.
Key Ingredient Benefits:
- Fermented Rice Water: Plumps and hydrates the skin for a dewy look.
- Kombucha: Natural antiseptic that makes skin smooth.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Provides long-lasting hydration and makes skin supple.
- Probiotics: Balances skin’s the natural microbiome and makes it healthy and glowing.
Texture: Lightweight gel-based moisturizer. This is a tad bit denser than the other two Dot and Key Moisturizers.
Fragrance: Fresh cucumber scent. To me, that’s what it smells like. I love it by the way.
My Experience: This is one of my favorite Dot and Key Moisturizers among the three. It’s formulated for my skin type (combination skin). That might be the reason.
The Probiotics Gel is a Nourishing yet Lightweight Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer. It doesn’t make my skin dry & stretchy. At the same time, it doesn’t make it sticky & greasy either. This moisturizer provides the perfect balance of moisturization that my skin needs. It’s an oil-free moisturizer that can be used all year round.
I cannot attest to its claims of balancing skin microbiome or strengthening barrier function. But it is a fuss-free product that’s very comfortable on the skin. The gel leaves my skin hydrated supple and soft to the touch. The gel feels soothing and calming on the skin, that’s on par with most Ceramide Moisturizers.
The 72 hr claim might be an exaggeration, as I definitely needed to moisturize twice a day.
Overall, if you have been wanting to try a Dot And Key Moisturizer, this is the one I’d recommend, especially for combination skin.
Rating: 4.5/5
3. Dot And Key Cica Calming Skin Renewing Night Gel
Claims: To calm skin, reduce inflammation & fade acne scars.
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone & Sensitive Skin.
Full Ingredient List: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerine, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternafolia Leaf Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Mentha Piperita Oil, Chlorophyll, Niacinamide, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl – PG Hydroxyethyl palmitate, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, Ceramide 6 II, Silanetriol, Hyaluronic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090.
Key Ingredient Benefits:
- Centella Asiatica: Repairs damaged skin barrier.
- Green Tea: antioxidant reduces skin inflammations, redness, and irritations.
- Niacinamide: fades dark spots and brightens overall skin tone.
- Hyaluronic Acid: offers balanced hydration to the skin.
Texture: Sorbet-like gel that dries down quickly.
Fragrance: Has a distinct tea tree oil scent. Fades away quickly like the other two.
My Experience: This is marketed as a Cica and Niacinamide Moisturizer. However, there is no mention of the Niacinamide percentage.
It’s the lightest among the three in terms of moisturization. It dries down with a matte finish. Oily skin types might find it adequate. As a standalone moisturizer, it wasn’t enough for my combination skin. I could make it work with a hydrating toner and/or serum underneath.
The Cica Gel is targeted for acne, dark spots, and pigmentation. It did help in calming my active acne when used as a spot treatment. It also helps in the prevention of future breakouts. But it isn’t as soothing as other affordable ceramide moisturizers in India.
Dark spots and pigmentation reduction take time and this isn’t very powerful in getting rid of them. This would work as a harmless moisturizer in support of other acne products.
I wouldn’t categorize this as a calming product. It’s a nice non-sticky gel overall. But a bland one at that!
Rating: 3.5/5
Dot And Key Moisturizer Texture Shots:
Brand Info:
Dot and Key is an Indian Skincare brand that was launched by Kolkata-based Suyash Saraf and Anisha Saraf. The brand has a wide range of products ranging from face washes to serums. Dot and Key became famous overnight with its attractive and cool packaging. (Who doesn’t like their cute jam jars).
But guess what? They are supposedly very similar to the packaging of a Korean skincare brand called Frudia. Starting from the design, pastel colors, and even the fonts. Anyways, packaging similarity isn’t some new in the market!!!
One more thing that many may not know. The giant beauty retailer, Nykaa, acquired Dot and Key recently in 2021. In addition to skincare, Dot and Key have also got nutraceutical products under the brand IKWI. Nutraceuticals are nothing but pharmaceutical nutrients such as Biotin, Vitamin C, and Melatonin that is consumed orally as supplements for hair and skin-related issues.
Dot and Key Products are said to be 100% safe and free of sulphates, parabens, pthalates, alcohol, heavy metals, formaldehyde donors, triclosan, and synthetic dyes. They list their entire Ingredient list on their official website.
What do you think of Dot And Key as a brand? Have you tried their products?
Do let us know your favorites in the comments section below.