DOT & KEYSunscreens

Watermelon Cooling Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

Dot & Key's bestselling sunscreen has been reformulated. The new formula replaces the old Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) and Octinoxate with a modern, photostable UV filter system: Uvinul A Plus, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M (Tinosorb M), Mexoryl SX, and Titanium Dioxide - six filters covering both UVA and UVB comprehensively. Synthetic fragrance has also been removed. The signature cooling comes from Menthyl Lactate. Watermelon Extract, Aloe Vera, and Sodium Hyaluronate add soothing and hydration. This is now one of the stronger and cleaner sunscreen formulas in the Indian mass-market.

Approved

Clean Sheet Approved

Best for

Daily Use
Humid Weather
Sensitive skin types

Avoid if

Relying on the SPF claim without independent evidence

₹399-₹695 • Analysed 11 June 2026

India Context

The reformulated Watermelon Sunscreen is now a significantly safer choice. The removal of Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) - which had evidence for endocrine disruption - makes this suitable for daily use in India's high-UV environment. The six-filter system provides comprehensive UVA and UVB coverage. Menthyl Lactate's cooling effect is a practical benefit for India's hot climate.

Key Ingredients

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate•Ethylhexyl Triazone•C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateView all ingredients

Approved

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Ingredient & Safety

Formula Logic

Public Claim Support

Transparency

Consumer Clarity

This is a web evidence review, not a Clean Sheet certification. We checked the ingredient list, publicly available test reports, marketing claims, and formula logic using only public information available at the time of review.

At a glance

✓Fragrance free

✓Alcohol free

✓Paraben free

✗SPF verified

What was checked

3 claims checked against public evidence

Strong

SPF 50+ PA++++Needs context

Six-filter system credibly supports the claim but no published test report on brand PDP.

Brand claim

Cooling effectVerified

Menthyl Lactate is a well-documented cooling agent.

Published evidence

Reformulated (old Benzophenone-3 formula)Needs context

Reformulation is not communicated by the brand; existing users may be unaware the formula has changed.

Not found

Verified: confirmed from public evidenceSupported: consistent with available evidenceNeeds context: relevant for some usersNot verified: could not be confirmed

The breakdown

Strong public evidence

Public Evidence Score across 5 pillars. Open any row for the full rationale.

Ingredient Safety

Excellent

Clean allergen profile with a fragrance free formula.

The reformulated UV filter system is a major improvement. Uvinul A Plus, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, and Mexoryl SX are all modern, photostable filters with strong safety records and no endocrine disruption concerns. Titanium Dioxide provides physical broad-spectrum coverage. Synthetic fragrance has been removed. Menthyl Lactate is well-tolerated. Butyloctyl Salicylate is a non-sunscreen emollient ester - inert at cosmetic concentrations.

Formula Logic

Strong

Six UV filters covering UVA I, UVA II, and UVB: Uvinul A Plus (UVA), Mexoryl SX (UVA I, water-soluble), Tinosorb S and Tinosorb M (broad-spectrum), Ethylhexyl Triazone (UVB), and...

Six UV filters covering UVA I, UVA II, and UVB: Uvinul A Plus (UVA), Mexoryl SX (UVA I, water-soluble), Tinosorb S and Tinosorb M (broad-spectrum), Ethylhexyl Triazone (UVB), and Titanium Dioxide (physical broad-spectrum). This is a comprehensive, photostable system. Tinosorb M functions as both organic and physical filter. Menthyl Lactate provides genuine cooling. Watermelon Extract and Aloe Vera add soothing, Sodium Hyaluronate supports hydration.

Claims Evidence

Strong

Good evidence for stated claims based on public information.

SPF 50+ PA++++ is claimed and the multi-filter system is comprehensive enough to support it. The brand does not publish an SPF test report on the product page. The full ingredient list is published on dotandkey.com. The 'Cooling' claim is substantiated by Menthyl Lactate. Reformulation from the Benzophenone-3 formula is not flagged by the brand.

“SPF 50+ PA++++” Six-filter system credibly supports the claim but no published test report on brand PDP.

“Cooling effect” Menthyl Lactate is a well-documented cooling agent.

“Reformulated (old Benzophenone-3 formula)” Reformulation is not communicated by the brand; existing users may be unaware the formula has changed.

Test Transparency

Grade CGood

No SPF test certificate published on brand PDP. SPF and PA claims are made without consumer-accessible test data. Formula logic supports the claim but independent verification is not available to the consumer.

Consumer Clarity

Excellent

Full INCI list published. Reformulation is not communicated to consumers.

Ingredient list

36 ingredients · INCI order

Excellent

SafeNoteCaution

Ingredient	What it does
Aqua	Solvent base
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate	Uvinul A Plus; photostable UVA filter, low sensitisation risk
Ethylhexyl Triazone	Photostable UVB filter; part of UV filter pre-blend
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate	Emollient and solubiliser for UV filters; lightweight skin feel
Dibutyl Adipate	Emollient solvent used to disperse UV filter actives
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate	Lightweight emollient, aids UV filter solubilisation
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine	Tinosorb S; broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filter, highly photostable, excellent safety record
Lecithin	Phospholipid emulsifier; skin-compatible, aids delivery of UV filter blend
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate	Non-ionic emulsifier for water-in-oil systems; used in the UV filter dispersant blend
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate	Biodegradable chelating agent; stabilises formula
Dimethicone	Silicone, provides smooth non-greasy application texture
Glycerin	Humectant, widely studied, safe across skin types
Methylpropanediol	Humectant and solvent
Titanium Dioxide	Physical broad-spectrum UV filter; inert, non-penetrating, photostable
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol	Tinosorb M; organic-mineral hybrid broad-spectrum filter, photostable, no endocrine disruption concerns
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid	Mexoryl SX; water-soluble UVA I filter, photostable, good safety record
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract	Antioxidant, soothing, marketed hero ingredient with genuine mild skin benefit
Sodium Hyaluronate	Humectant, supports skin hydration under sunscreen
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice	Soothing and hydrating
Tocopheryl Acetate	Vitamin E ester, antioxidant, helps stabilise formula
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride	Lightweight coconut-derived emollient, non-comedogenic
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene	Synthetic emollient, contributes to lightweight texture
Sodium Lactate	NMF component, humectant and mild pH buffer
Menthyl Lactate	Cooling agent; delivers the signature cooling sensation, well-tolerated
Butyloctyl Salicylate	Emollient ester; not a UV filter at cosmetic concentrations despite the salicylate name
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch	Mattifying powder, contributes to non-greasy finish
Sorbitan Stearate	Non-ionic emulsifier, skin-compatible
Sucrose Cocoate	Sugar-derived emulsifier, mild and biodegradable
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer	Carbomer-family thickener, creates the gel texture
C14-22 Alcohols	Fatty alcohols used as emulsifiers; non-drying
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside	Mild sugar-derived co-emulsifier
Sodium Hydroxide	pH adjuster, trace amounts used to neutralise formula
Sodium Gluconate	Chelating agent, stabilises the formula
Disodium EDTA	Chelating agent
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative; late-list position confirms within safe cosmetic limits
Ethylhexylglycerin	Co-preservative and skin-conditioning agent

INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).

Regulatory screen

Each ingredient mapped against 10 global regulatory authorities

Clear

EU 1223/2009EU Cosmetics Regulation - Annexes II–VI

No flagged substances (reformulated - Benzophenone-3 and Octinoxate removed)

India CR 2020India Cosmetics Rules, CDSCO

No flagged substances

Health Canada HotlistCanada prohibited & restricted ingredients

No flagged substances (reformulated)

US FDA 21 CFRUS FDA Parts 700–740

No flagged substances

MFDS KoreaKorea Cosmetics Act

No flagged substances

ECHA SVHCSubstances of Very High Concern

No flagged substances

IARCCarcinogen classifications Groups 1/2A/2B

No flagged substances

AICIS AustraliaAustralian industrial chemical safety

No flagged substances

TGA AustraliaTherapeutic claims (if applicable)

No flagged substances

Canada NHPIDNatural health product ingredients

No flagged substances

Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.

Claims checked

1 of 3 publicly supported

Strong

SPF 50+ PA++++Needs proof

Six-filter system credibly supports the claim but no published test report on brand PDP.

Mentioned only

Cooling effectPublicly supported

Menthyl Lactate is a well-documented cooling agent.

Evidence visible

Reformulated (old Benzophenone-3 formula)Needs proof

Reformulation is not communicated by the brand; existing users may be unaware the formula has changed.

Missing

What would strengthen this review

Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps

○Published SPF 50+ test certificate
○Clear brand communication of reformulation from old Benzophenone-3 formula

About this review

The reformulation is a meaningful improvement. Six modern photostable filters, no Benzophenone-3, no Octinoxate, no fragrance. SPF test publication would round this off as a top-tier mass-market SPF.

Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-review, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.

Independent reviewPublic evidence only

Full methodology