Cica + 2% Salicylic Acid Skin Clearing Face Serum
The Dot & Key Skincare Cica + 2% Salicylic Acid Skin Clearing Face Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 42 ingredients (30 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
The Dot & Key Skincare Cica + 2% Salicylic Acid Skin Clearing Face Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 42 ingredients (30 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming) |
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Glycine Soja Seed Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Houttuynia Cordata Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
(Astringent, Humectant, Soothing) |
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Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Skin Protecting) |
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Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
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salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic) |
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Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
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Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Centella Asiatica Extract
(Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic) |
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Zinc PCA
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
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Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
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Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Laminaria Digitata Extract
(Skin Protecting) |
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Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant) |
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Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Ceramide EOP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Ceramide NS
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Ceramide AS
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Ceramide AP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent) |
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Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent) |
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Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
(Anti Sebum, Astringent, Skin Conditioning) |
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Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Hydroxyethylcellulose
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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C18-22 Hydroxyalkyl Hydroxypropyl Guar
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Sodium Gluconate
(Chelating Agent, Skin Conditioning) |
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Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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