Getting you a comprehensive review of the product
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
Join The Clean Sheet™ community
Science-backed beauty tips, ingredient alerts, and early access. Straight to your WhatsApp.
Join for free →
This Dot & Key Niacinamide serum presents a concerning gap between its marketing claims and its ingredient reality, with key advertised components missing and potentially problematic ingredients present, leading to significant consumer confusion and regulatory risk.
₹595 • Analysed 18 July 2026
Actives like this can raise sun sensitivity, which India's high year-round UV makes significant, so pairing with a daytime SPF is important; the lighter the vehicle, the better it tends to wear in heat and humidity. The product maintains a consistent price of Rs. 595 for 30ml across all major Indian e-commerce and quick commerce platforms, indicating transparent and stable pricing without significant discounting theatre. 5 marketing claims could draw ASCI scrutiny under India's advertising code; the ingredient list is the more reliable guide.
Independent and free. The Clean Sheet takes no money from brands to review, rank, or approve a product. 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.
Niacinamide is listed as the second ingredient in the INCI, making the 10% concentration claim plausible by position. The percentage is disclosed by name.
The provided INCI list does NOT contain Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract or any Ceramide ingredients. This claim is directly contradicted by the ingredient list.
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA (listed after preservatives) are known for oil control, no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this specific formulation.
The claim of 'Cica & Ceramides' for barrier repair is contradicted. While Niacinamide and D-Panthenol (after preservatives) can support barrier function, no finished product evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Ingredients like Niacinamide, D-Panthenol, and Licorice Extract (all after preservatives) have soothing properties, but no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this product.
This is a broad, vague claim with no publicly visible finished product evidence or specific ingredient mechanism explained for this product.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against INCIDecoder.
Screened against the ingredient database (11 of 20 ingredients matched); no cosmetics-prohibited ingredient found.
Cyclopentasiloxane: D5 bioaccumulates in aquatic environment
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Contains ingredient(s) commonly rated comedogenic: wheat germ. May not suit very acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
MI - a known contact sensitiser; EU bans it in leave-on products. Notable in a leave-on product.
Brand claims dermatologist testing (claim stated; underlying report not seen).
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
| Ingredient |
|---|
Aqua |
Niacinamide |
Cyclopentasiloxane |
Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer |
Dimethicone |
Silanetriol |
Hyaluronic Acid |
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil |
Phenoxyethanol |
Methylisothiazolinone |
Zinc Pca |
Punica Granatum(Pomegranate) Fruit Extract |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose |
Tocopheryl Acetate |
D-Panthenol |
Perfume |
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract |
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
Methylisothiazolinone is prohibited in leave-on products under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V. Its presence in this serum is a non-compliance.
Methylisothiazolinone is prohibited in leave-on products under India Cosmetics Rules 2020, which largely align with EU regulations. Its presence in this serum is a non-compliance.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
“with Cica & Ceramides”
This claim is directly contradicted by the product's ingredient list, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
“Boosts skin immunity”
This is a vague and potentially absolute claim without verifiable evidence, violating ASCI Chapter 1.
“Fragrance-free”
This claim is directly contradicted by the product's ingredient list, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
“Visible results in 3-6 weeks”
This quantified claim lacks a published, verifiable study, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
Niacinamide is listed as the second ingredient in the INCI, making the 10% concentration claim plausible by position. The percentage is disclosed by name.
Mentioned only
The provided INCI list does NOT contain Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract or any Ceramide ingredients. This claim is directly contradicted by the ingredient list.
Missing
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
Missing
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
Missing
While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA (listed after preservatives) are known for oil control, no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this specific formulation.
Missing
The claim of 'Cica & Ceramides' for barrier repair is contradicted. While Niacinamide and D-Panthenol (after preservatives) can support barrier function, no finished product evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Missing
Ingredients like Niacinamide, D-Panthenol, and Licorice Extract (all after preservatives) have soothing properties, but no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this product.
Missing
This is a broad, vague claim with no publicly visible finished product evidence or specific ingredient mechanism explained for this product.
Missing
Claimed as 'Dermatologist tested', which often implies non-comedogenic testing, but no specific report or methodology is provided.
Evidence visible
The brand states testing was done, but no details of the test (methodology, sample size, duration, results) are publicly visible.
Evidence visible
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
This review evaluates brand claims against visible evidence and formula logic. It does not replace a full ingredient safety analysis or a clinical product test. Results vary by individual, and the consumer should always read the full ingredient list and follow usage guidance.
Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-review, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Contains ingredient(s) commonly rated comedogenic: wheat germ. May not suit very acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
MI - a known contact sensitiser; EU bans it in leave-on products. Notable in a leave-on product.
Brand claims dermatologist testing (claim stated; underlying report not seen).
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA (listed after preservatives) are known for oil control, no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this specific formulation.
The claim of 'Cica & Ceramides' for barrier repair is contradicted. While Niacinamide and D-Panthenol (after preservatives) can support barrier function, no finished product evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Ingredients like Niacinamide, D-Panthenol, and Licorice Extract (all after preservatives) have soothing properties, but no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this product.
This is a broad, vague claim with no publicly visible finished product evidence or specific ingredient mechanism explained for this product.
Methylisothiazolinone is prohibited in leave-on products under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V. Its presence in this serum is a non-compliance.
Methylisothiazolinone is prohibited in leave-on products under India Cosmetics Rules 2020, which largely align with EU regulations. Its presence in this serum is a non-compliance.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified.
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Niacinamide is listed as the second ingredient in the INCI, making the 10% concentration claim plausible by position. The percentage is disclosed by name.
Mentioned only
The provided INCI list does NOT contain Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract or any Ceramide ingredients. This claim is directly contradicted by the ingredient list.
Missing
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
Missing
No finished product clinical or instrumental study is publicly visible to support this specific claim for this product. Evidence for Niacinamide is ingredient-level only.
Missing
While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA (listed after preservatives) are known for oil control, no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this specific formulation.
Missing
The claim of 'Cica & Ceramides' for barrier repair is contradicted. While Niacinamide and D-Panthenol (after preservatives) can support barrier function, no finished product evidence is publicly visible for this claim.
Missing
Ingredients like Niacinamide, D-Panthenol, and Licorice Extract (all after preservatives) have soothing properties, but no finished product evidence is publicly visible to support this claim for this product.
Missing
This is a broad, vague claim with no publicly visible finished product evidence or specific ingredient mechanism explained for this product.
Missing
Claimed as 'Dermatologist tested', which often implies non-comedogenic testing, but no specific report or methodology is provided.
Evidence visible
The brand states testing was done, but no details of the test (methodology, sample size, duration, results) are publicly visible.
Evidence visible
“with Cica & Ceramides”
This claim is directly contradicted by the product's ingredient list, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
“Boosts skin immunity”
This is a vague and potentially absolute claim without verifiable evidence, violating ASCI Chapter 1.
“Fragrance-free”
This claim is directly contradicted by the product's ingredient list, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
“Visible results in 3-6 weeks”
This quantified claim lacks a published, verifiable study, violating ASCI Chapter 1 (Truthful and Honest Advertising).
Public evidence the brand could provide to close verification gaps
