Last updated on 28 March, 2024
I don’t seem to experiment much when it comes to cleansing balms as I tend to put a little extra pressure while massaging. However I tend to use my ring finger and pinky finger to massage the balm lightly. I purchased the Dot and Key Cleansing Balm when it was launched on Nykaa and they had a massive discount plus freebies with the order. Let’s check the Dot and Key cleansing balm review.
Brand Claims
Daily use gentle cleansing balm for clean, smooth & dewy skin. Infused with Strawberry Enzymes, Natural Plant Oils & Murumuru Butter. Melts stubborn makeup in seconds while removing dirt & sunscreen. Gently exfoliates & thoroughly rinses without leaving behind any residue. Featuring soft balm to oil to milky texture, it is suitable for all skin types
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic wax, Aqua, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (and) Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides (and) C15-23 Alkane, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin (and) Octenidine HCl, IFRA Certified Fragrance, CI 77492, CI 45410
Price, Shelf life and Availability
499 INR for 70ml with a shelf life of 3 years from date of manufacturing. Available on Nykaa, Amazon.
Packaging, Texture and Fragrance
The cleansing balm is housed in a glass jar with screw top cap and has an inner lid as well. The product can be easily scooped out with the spatula, as per the desired quantity. It is like soft butter in texture and has a faint peach colour. It is neither thick nor thin in consistency with smooth, non grainy and soft texture. The balm needs to be melted by rubbing in between the palms before applying. The consistency is slightly thick and requires a lot of quantity to make it glide smoothly onto the skin. Product has strawberry fragrance and people with sensitive skin or nose may find it little bothering. However, the fragrance doesn’t linger much after applying and fades away after emulsifying.
My experience with Dot and Key Cleansing Balm
I use Dot and Key cleansing balm to remove sunscreen and it effectively removes all of it. On some occasions I do use light makeup and the balm helps remove easily the waterproof eyeliner too. However, the balm requires a little extra efforts to turn it milky fully (emulsify) with normal tap water whereas it easily turns milky upon contact with lukewarm water. Nonetheless, the balm doesn’t leave any greasy, oily residue behind. I sometimes follow it up with a second cleanse or sometimes I skip it while removing a sunscreen. If you wear heavy makeup, you will have to always follow the double cleansing method.
The balm plumps up the skin and it leaves the skin baby soft and smooth to touch. Not only does it help in cleansing the skin, but it also reduces the appearance of pores. The balm hasn’t caused any acne, clogged pores or any irritation to my oily and acne prone skin. I like how it cleanses the skin and at the same time hydrates it well.
However, I don’t feel it works on reducing the whiteheads as much as a cleansing oil does. Since the skin is plumped up a lot, it may feel that your whiteheads or pores have reduced, but that may also be a temporary effect of plumped up skin. I find the Dot and Key cleansing balm a perfect fit to use as an oil cleanser as it works great to deeply cleanse without stripping off excess oil and it also moisturizes the skin.
The balm doesn’t sting the eyes while removing eyeliner or kajal. However once you emulsify it and if the emulsion enters the eye it feels uncomfortable. It doesn’t sting as such, it just makes the eyes uncomfortable.
Pros
- Effectively dissolves makeup/sunscreen, dirt, and unclogs pores
- Works great on waterproof makeup too
- Buttery moisturising formula that hydrates and softens the skin
- Deeply cleanses the skin without causing acne, irritation
- Super affordable product that’s great for daily use (you can grab it at B1G1)
- Gentle cleansing balm that is great for daily use
- Tub packaging makes it easy to scoop out required quantity
Cons
- Doesn’t emulsify easily and needs a little efforts for normal water
- Brand Claims the product to have Murumuru Butter but ingredients’ list on packaging and website doesn’t mention Murumuru Butter.
- Fragrance maybe a problem for sensitive skin
Dot and Key Cleansing Balm Review
As an oil cleanser, it removes the light makeup, sunscreen, impurities quickly, gently and effortlessly without drying out the skin. It works good on waterproof liner and matte lipsticks too! I am quite impressed with its ability to plump up and hydrate the skin immensely. Its hydrating, gentle and effective cleansing formula is something you can look up to while using this cleansing balm. You can definitely give this a try no matter whichever skin type you have. You will be pleased with the cleansing action of this balm.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dot and Key Cleansing Balm
How to use Dot and Key Cleansing Balm?
Scoop a generous amount with the spatula, Apply directly to dry skin. Massage gently until makeup starts melting. Thoroughly rinse off with water. Wipe off any residue with a warm, damp face towel.
Does Dot and Key Cleansing Balm cause acne?
No! But Ethylhexyl Palmitate, the first ingredient on the list, is an emollient ester. It has a comedogenic rating of 2-4. I have oily and acne-prone skin. I didn’t experience any acne or clogged pores while using the cleansing balm.
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