Dot & Key
Dot & Key Cica Calming Skin Clarifying Toner (150 ml)
Dot & Key Cica Calming Skin Clarifying Toner (150 ml)
Dot & Key
dot-key-cica-calming-skin-clarifying-toner-150-ml
Tone
10084854694181
Morning or Evening?
How often will you use this product?
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Clarifying toner with 6 main ingredients
FEATURES
Blends Cica, Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree, Lactic Acid & Niacinamide; Alcohol-free; Heals, soothes & hydrates; Unclogs pores; Reduces appearance of pores; Good for oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin
BEST FOR
Oily
CHECKS
Alcohol, Fragrance
Who Is It For?
All Genders AdultsWhat Does It Help With?
Acne Redness Pore Clarity Skin HydrationBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Dot & Key Says
Product Description:
Dot & Key’s Cica Calming Skin Clarifying Toner blends the green goodness of Cica, Green Tea, Aloe Vera & Tea Tree with the active potency of Lactic Acid & Niacinamide. A super-gentle antidote for oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin, this alcohol-free toner heals, soothes & hydrates while lifting dirt to unclog pores & keep acne at bay. As a result, skin looks smooth, clarified, with reduced appearance of pores.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Cica, Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide
Key Ingredients
Cica, Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide
Ingredients Details
Aloe Vera
Common Name(s): Aloe vera juice,aloe vera gel,aloe barbadensis
CAS Number: 85507-69-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides acemannan-based wound healing and comprehensive moisturising skin conditioning from the quintessential healing plant.
Why It's Used: The most universally recognised natural healing plant — aloe vera's acemannan polysaccharides, vitamins, and enzymes provide a comprehensive wound healing and soothing profile with thousands of years of documented use.
How It Works: Acemannan (poly-mannose) activates dectin-1 for wound healing immune stimulation. gibberellin promotes fibroblast growth. salicylic acid derivative provides anti-inflammatory. vitamins c and e provide antioxidant. glucomannan provides humectant.
Typically Found In: After-sun products,wound healing,moisturisers,virtually all skin care categories
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – aloe vera gel
Secondary Functions: Redness reduction,anti-inflammatory,calming
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–99%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – from aloe barbadensis leaf
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes – particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Aloe vera's clinical evidence for sunburn relief is among the best for any botanical wound healing ingredient. multiple rcts demonstrate that aloe vera gel reduces healing time of first and second degree burns and sunburns, attributed primarily to acemannan's immunomodulatory wound healing activity and the anti-inflammatory salicylate derivatives providing prostaglandin inhibition.
Last Verified: Cosing database,surjushe et al. aloe vera skin review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Green Tea
Common Name(s): Green tea,cosmetic active,established function
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function — skin conditioning, antioxidant protection, active biological benefit, or formulation function — at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Green tea has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,green tea technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Lactic Acid
Common Name(s): L-lactic acid,2-hydroxypropionic acid,milk acid
CAS Number: 50-21-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Exfoliates dead skin cells, attracts and retains moisture, brightens skin tone, and improves texture.
Why It's Used: Dual exfoliant and humectant – uniquely hydrating vs other ahas. gentler and suitable for normal-to-sensitive skin.
How It Works: Disrupts desmosomes to promote exfoliation at low ph. acts as humectant. also stimulates ceramide synthesis at lower concentrations for barrier support.
Typically Found In: Chemical exfoliants,toners,serums,professional peels
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – alpha hydroxy acid (aha)
Secondary Functions: Humectant,brightening,barrier support,ceramide synthesis
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%–10% (daily); 20%–90% (professional); active at ph ≤3.9
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Fermentation-derived from carbohydrates or synthetically produced. both l-form and dl-form used.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – spf required. better tolerated than glycolic acid for most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – spf required
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations. eu: ≤10% leave-on at ph ≥3.5. mandatory spf advisory.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf
Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Lactic acid's role as a natural moisturizing factor (nmf) component makes it uniquely hydrating among ahas. ceramide synthesis stimulation at 2% provides barrier benefits complementing exfoliating activity.
Last Verified: Cosing database,stiller et al. lactic acid review,sccs aha opinion
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Niacinamide
Common Name(s): Vitamin b3,nicotinamide,pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS Number: 98-92-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, reduces visible pore size, regulates sebum production, fades dark spots, and improves skin texture and tone.
Why It's Used: It is used because it addresses multiple skin concerns at once without irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. it is stable in formulations and pairs well with most other actives.
How It Works: Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes (pigment packets) to skin cells, reducing hyperpigmentation. it also stimulates ceramide synthesis to strengthen the skin barrier and reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine activity.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,toners,cleansers,eye creams,sunscreens,primers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – vitamin
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,brightening,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%–10% (typical: 5%; higher concentrations may cause flushing in some individuals)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes – synthetic origin
Source Notes: Commercially produced via synthesis from nicotinic acid or 3-cyanopyridine. no animal-derived sources used in cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; concentrations above 10% may cause temporary flushing in sensitive individuals
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: At concentrations >10%, some users experience niacin flush (transient redness/tingling). generally very well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes – one of the best-tolerated actives for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Extensively studied and considered very safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant systemic toxicity concerns at topical concentrations.
Works Well With: Retinol,peptides,ahas/bhas,hyaluronic acid,ceramides,zinc,vitamin c,spf
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) may theoretically convert to niacin – use at different times if using pure l-ascorbic acid above 15%
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Niacinamide is a precursor to nad+ and nadp+, coenzymes vital to cellular energy metabolism. its benefits for dna repair and mitochondrial function make it a key ingredient in anti-aging strategies.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,pubmed clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12