Dot & Key Skincare Cica & 2% Salicylic Face Wash Versus Chemist at Play Salicylic Acid Face Wash
Updated on December 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dot & Key Skincare Cica & 2% Salicylic Face Wash 32 ingredients
Chemist at Play Salicylic Acid Face Wash 30 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dot & Key Skincare Cica & 2% Salicylic Face Wash 32 ingredients
Chemist at Play Salicylic Acid Face Wash 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Camphor
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Zinc PCA, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camphor, Benzophenone-4, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingOryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Menthol
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sorbitol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Zinc PCA, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Ceramide AP, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, CI 14700, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Salix Alba Bark Extract has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.
Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.
Several other components in salix alba bark extract also contain antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging as they neutralize harmful free-radical molecules.
Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCAIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Dot & Key Skincare Cica & 2% Salicylic Face Wash 32 ingredients
Chemist at Play Salicylic Acid Face Wash 30 ingredients
