I had been wanting to try out Dot and Key Salicylic Acid serum ever since Utkarshini mentioned it on her Instagram. It took me a long time to try it out as I had purchased the Ordinary when it was launched on Nykaa. Anyway, let’s see if Dot and Key Salicylic Acid serum is worth it or not?
Brand Claims
2% Salicylic penetrates deep to gently exfoliate reduce active acne. Powered by Cica to soothe inflammation & redness. Helps control excess oil while clearing blackheads & whiteheads. Lightweight, quick-absorbing & non-comedogenic, it treats oily, acne-prone skin with 2x efficacy.
Ingredients
Cica water, Ethoxydiglycol, Propanediol, 1,3- Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate (and) Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract (and) Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract (and) Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract (and) Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract (and) Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract (and) Houttuynia Cordata Extract (and) Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear Cactus) Stem water, Laminaria Digitata Extract (and) Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide (and) Ceramide mix, Centella Asiatica (Cica) Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Mugwort Extract,Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Sodium Gluconate, Zinc PCA, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Xanthan gum, Benzyl Alcohol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin (and) Tocopherol
Price, Shelf life and Availability
550 INR for 30 ml with a shelf life of 3 years from date of manufacturing. Easily available on Nykaa, Amazon
Packaging, Texture and Fragrance
The salicylic acid serum is housed in a faint green coloured glass, dropper bottle. The dropper works good in dispensing the right amount. The product packaging feels good and I actually like the green colour of the bottle. The texture is semi thick liquid, transparent gel sort and consistency is runny, gooey, slippery serum. The product is free from fragrance and colour. However, it does have some clinical kind of fragrance that seems to be the result of formulation.
My experience with Dot and Key Salicylic Acid Serum
The serum being gooey, semi thick gel kind takes little time to absorb into the skin. Just massage or spread a bit and leave it on until it dries up. It doesn’t foam up as in the case of Ordinary Salicylic Acid solution. It neither leaves an oily residue or any tacky feeling after it is absorbed. If you use this in excess quantity, it forms a layer on the skin that feels like a layer on top of the skin. It slightly hydrates the skin and makes it even toned upon application immediately.
The serum is a part of my PM skincare routine. I mostly use this salicylic acid serum to address whiteheads, blackheads and sebaceous filaments I have on my oily t-zone. It never irritated my skin nor did it cause any dryness even when I used it daily on some occasions. I have noticed that whiteheads, blackheads and pores appear smaller whenever I use this 2% Salicylic + Zinc skin clearing serum on alternative days. The serum isn’t too strong for my oily, acne prone skin so I can easily use it alternate days on my t-zone. I end up using it on my whole face just once in a while, if I feel my skin is getting congested.
The serum works well in layering of skincare products but do pay attention to the quantity you use. I also used this serum as a part of Fiddy Snail’s deep pore cleansing method and the results were satisfactory.
Additionally, I got a chance to test the serum on the big acne that had erupted out of nowhere. The serum works slowly on reducing the acne bump and takes its own sweet time to peel the skin on acne head. My acne bump on right cheek took 7-8 days to reduce in size with this serum when used as a spot treatment daily. I feel this serum works slower than the Ordinary Salicylic Acid serum in reducing the acne bump. But it is non irritating and non drying for oily skin.
Before concluding my review I would like to mention a few things to remember while using any salicylic acid serum
- Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen
- Don’t use salicylic acid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
- Don’t over exfoliate while using salicylic acid
- Don’t pair it with other actives like glycolic acid, retinoid, lactic acid, retinol, vitamin c
- If you are using salicylic acid face wash them avoid using this serum
- Always patch test to avoid barrier damage or skin problems
Dot and Key Salicylic Acid Serum Review
The serum is gentle in nature and works slowly yet steadily on reducing the acne. It considerably reduces the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and pores as well as sebaceous filaments with consistent use. I would say this salicylic acid serum can be easily used on alternate days provided you don’t have any other actives in your skincare routine. The serum doesn’t tingle or cause irritation even on broken skin. In my opinion it is a good salicylic acid serum to try out for mild to moderate acne caused by clogged pores. Although I wouldn’t say this is the best salicylic acid serum in India, it’s a good one to try once.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dot and Key Salicylic Acid Serum
Is Dot and Key salicylic acid serum good?
Yes, it is a good serum to reduce acne whiteheads, sebaceous filaments and excessive oily skin.
Can I use 2% salicylic acid serum everyday?
No, you cannot apply 2% Salicylic Acid Serum everyday. However, when applying in the morning, always follow it up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to avoid sun damage.
Can I put moisturizer after salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid may be drying for some skin types, hence do not forget to moisturize your skin after using it.
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