Cica + 2% Salicylic Acid Skin Clearing Face Serum

Dot & Key Skincare

Cica + 2% Salicylic Acid Skin Clearing Face Serum

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About this product

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.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
42
Low-risk
30
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
India
Data updated
May 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 7/6
Good for dry skin
Gluconolactone Ethoxydiglycol Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Cholesterol Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Zinc PCA
Caution for dry skin
Centella Asiatica Extract Xanthan Gum Salicylic Acid Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Sodium Hydroxide
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 2/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Sensitive Skin 5/7
Good for sensitive skin
Centella Asiatica Extract Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract Laminaria Digitata Extract Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Allantoin
Caution for sensitive skin
Gluconolactone Ethoxydiglycol Butylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Citric Acid Benzoic Acid Phenoxyethanol

Ingredients list

42 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All42 Skin Conditioning38 Hair Conditioning9 Fragrance7 Solvent6 Humectant6 Viscosity Controlling6 Emulsion Stabilising5 Tonic4
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
(Astringent, Humectant, Soothing)
1
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Skin Protecting)
1
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
1
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Centella Asiatica Extract
(Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic)
3
Zinc PCA
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Laminaria Digitata Extract
(Skin Protecting)
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
(Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide EOP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide NS
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide AS
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide AP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent)
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water
(Skin Conditioning)
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
(Anti Sebum, Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Hydroxyethylcellulose
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
C18-22 Hydroxyalkyl Hydroxypropyl Guar
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
A
Sodium Gluconate
(Chelating Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Ceramides
Locks in moisture and supports skin barrier.
BHA
Unclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
PHA
Gently exfoliates and hydrates with less irritation.
Niacinamide
Strengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.
Zinc
Helps control oil and supports healing.
Show all 6 key ingredients

Benefits

Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Acne FightingFights acne and helps prevent breakouts.

Concerns

Contains paraben
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol
Fragrance, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSolventViscosity decreasing agentHumectantPerfuming
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AstringentHumectantSoothing
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntimicrobialSkin protecting
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin conditioning, Tonic
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningTonic
salix alba bark extract
Astringent, Hair conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentHair conditioningSkin conditioningSoothingTonic
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin conditioning, Tonic
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningTonic
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B CleansingSkin conditioningSmoothingSoothingTonic
Zinc PCA
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 Skin conditioningHumectant
Niacinamide
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSmoothing
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin protecting
+ 20 more — see the full ingredients list above
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Benzoic Acid
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A FragrancePh adjusterPreservativeBulking agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Allantoin
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSkin protectingSoothing Good for Oily SkinGood for Sensitive Skin
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening, start slow: Best in the PM a few times a week to begin with; avoid layering with other strong actives the same night.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

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.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

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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