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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

Dot & Key

Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer

Name: Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer
Brand: Dot & Key

MoisturizerBarrier Repair

Efficacy

Strong

4.4 / 5.0

Safety

Safe

4.7 / 5.0

System Verdict

This is a solid, no-nonsense barrier-supporting niacinamide moisturizer with good science behind it and very little fluff. Niacinamide is high in the list and explicitly labeled 5%, a well-supported level for improving barrier function, refining tone, and oil regulation, while the base layers in glycerin and sodium hyaluronate for humectant hydration plus a proper suite of ceramides and a ceramide-mimetic lipid to reinforce barrier lipids; soothing centella, oat, aloe, and antioxidant green tea support irritation-prone or barrier-damaged skin, and the silicone/emollient system should give a lightweight, oil-free feel without compromising function. Because there is no strong exfoliant, retinoid, or specialized pigment-fading active beyond niacinamide, the formula is excellent for everyday hydration and barrier care but will not replace a dedicated treatment for more severe acne, melasma, or deep photoaging, which keeps the efficacy score in the strong-but-not-elite range.

Active Ingredients Detected

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

NiacinamideGlycerineCeramide 1Ceramide 2Ceramide 3Ceramide 4Ceramide 6 IISodium HyaluronatePanthenolTocopheryl AcetateAloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

PolyacrylamideC13-14 IsoparaffinDicaprylyl EtherMethylsilanol MannuronateCetyl - Pg Hydroxyethyl PalmitamideCentella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf ExtractCamellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf ExtractAcrylates/

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Laminaria Digitata ExtractAvena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract

What Each Ingredient Does

Centella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf Water: solvent and soothing base
Niacinamide: brightening and barrier support
Glycerine: humectant for hydration
Polyacrylamide: gelling and thickening agent
C13-14 Isoparaffin: emollient and texture enhancer
Laureth-7: emulsifier and surfactant
Dimethicone: silicone emollient and skin protectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer: texture enhancer and film former
Dicaprylyl Ether: lightweight emollient
Methylsilanol Mannuronate: film-forming conditioning agent
Laminaria Digitata Extract: algae extract with soothing properties
Cetyl - Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide: ceramide-like barrier lipid
Ceramide 1: skin barrier lipid
Ceramide 2: skin barrier lipid
Ceramide 3: skin barrier lipid
Ceramide 4: skin barrier lipid
Ceramide 6 II: skin barrier lipid
Sodium Hyaluronate: humectant, draws water to skin
Panthenol: humectant and soothing agent
Tocopheryl Acetate: antioxidant vitamin E derivative
Centella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf Extract: soothing plant extract
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract: antioxidant plant extract
Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract: soothing and conditioning extract
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract: soothing and hydrating extract

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Centella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf Water , Niacinamide , Glycerine , Polyacrylamide , C13-14 Isoparaffin , Laureth-7 , Dimethicone , Dimethicone Crosspolymer , Dicaprylyl Ether , Methylsilanol Mannuronate , Laminaria Digitata Extract , Cetyl - Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide , Ceramide 1 , Ceramide 2 , Ceramide 3 , Ceramide 4 , Ceramide 6 II , Sodium Hyaluronate , Panthenol , Tocopheryl Acetate , Centella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf Extract , Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract , Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract , Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract , Acrylates/

Frequently Asked

Is Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer worth it?

Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 4.7 out of 5.0 for safety (Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a solid, no-nonsense barrier-supporting niacinamide moisturizer with good science behind it and very little fluff. Niacinamide is high in the list and explicitly labeled 5%, a well-supported level for improving b

What are the key active ingredients in Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer?

Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer contains no gold-standard actives — its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer. It scores 4.7 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is Dot & Key Cica 5% Niacinamide Oil Free Moisturizer scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-08-26. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.