“Which Dot and Key Sunscreen is the best?” seems to be the burning question in my inbox lately. The brand first brought out their orange sunscreen which felt like a dream come true! And then they brought out another variant, and another variant! So, which one ticks all the right boxes for me? Let’s find out! Here is my review and comparison of all four sunscreen variants from Dot and Key.
1. Dot And Key Vitamin C+E Sunscreen
- Texture: The sunscreen is runny and milky, making it easy to apply.
- Blendability: It effortlessly blends into the skin within mere seconds.
- Pilling: Fortunately, it doesn’t pill on my skin, ensuring a smooth application.
- White Cast: No unsightly white cast left behind on my skin tone (NC35)
- Finish: The result is a dewy finish, imparting a healthy glow.
- SPF Rating – SPF 50, PA+++
I feel that the Dot And Key Vitamin C+E Sunscreen would be a good choice for those with dry to normal skin types, owing to its dewy finish. Those with slightly oily skin may also enjoy it, particularly in winter. It may be too dewy for very oily skin.
2. Dot And Key Watermelon Cooling SPF 50 Sunscreen
- Texture: Slightly thicker, akin to a lotion.
- Blendability: It melds with the skin in just a few seconds.
- Pilling: No pesky pilling issues, granting a hassle-free experience.
- White Cast: Like its predecessor, no white cast in sight.
- Finish: This sunscreen strikes a balance with its natural matte finish – neither overly dewy nor completely matte.
- SPF Rating – SPF 50, PA+++
This variant will suit all skin types because it feels nourishing without being dewy. It has a natural soft matte finish that won’t feel uncomfortable on dry or oily skin. You can apply or skip a moisturizer before it as per your preference.
3. Dot And Key Swim + Sports Sunscreen
- Texture: Exhibits a runny consistency.
- Blendability: Requires about a minute for seamless blending.
- Pilling: No issues with pilling.
- White Cast: No white cast on my skin tone, very deep skin tones may notice a white cast.
- Finish: The finish is shiny and dewy, although those with oily skin might find it slightly heavy.
- SPF Rating – SPF 50, PA+++
The differentiating attribute of this sunscreen is its water resistance. So far, I have tested it only in mildly humid conditions with moderate sweating and it fared well. I am not sure how well it will withstand extremely humid conditions, excessive sweating, or water sports. Moreover, this sunscreen may be best suited for dry to normal skin as it feels a bit heavy.
4. Dot And Key Cica Calming Niacinamide Sunscreen
- Texture: A runny consistency.
- Blendability: Blends within a minute.
- Pilling: While it doesn’t pill during blending, there’s slight pilling during makeup application or by day’s end.
- White Cast: No white cast on my skin tone.
- Finish: A matte finish sets this version apart.
The original Cica Niacinamide sunscreen by Dot and Key was a little hard to blend and pilled quite a bit while blending. This new variant is certainly easier to blend but I still notice some pilling by the end of the day or under makeup. While you may find tricks and hacks to avoid this pilling to opt for the matte finish, I personally prefer the Watermelon variant as I have never observed pilling with that one.
5. Dot And Key Sunscreen Stick
- Texture: Stick that glides on skin with silky matte feeling.
- Blendability: Blends during application itself when you glide the stick.
- Pilling: Doesn’t pill, even on top of makeup.
- White Cast: No white cast on my skin tone.
- Finish: A natural matte finish.
The Dot & Key Strawberry Dew Sunscreen Stick is an excellent affordable sunscreen in India that is ideal for reapplication of sunscreen on the go, even on top of makeup. You can apply 3-4 swipes of this sunscreen stick on each part of your face for continued sun protection. The stick has a firm look but glides seamlessly on the skin with a mildly creamy/silky feel. It offers a cooling sensation and settles to a natural matte finish on the skin, without feeling heavy or greasy. Moreover, it doesn’t give me any white cast or pilling either.
One possible con of this product is that the twist-up mechanism seems faulty and stopped working after some time for both my sticks. Also, I feel that your skin may feel a little heavy if you use this product too many times in a day. However, for 1-2 sunscreen reapplications in a day, this Dot & Key Sunscreen Stick is perfect!
Summary – Comparison of all four Dot and Key Sunscreens
| Sunscreen | Texture | Blendability | Pilling | White Cast | Finish | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C+E Sunscreen | Runny and milky | Few seconds | Not on my skin | Not on my skin | Dewy | No |
| Watermelon Cooling Sunscreen | Slightly thicker | Few seconds | Not on my skin | Not on my skin | Natural matte | No |
| Swim + Sports Sunscreen | Runny | About a minute | Not on my skin | Not on my skin | Shiny / Dewy | Water-resistant (up to 120 minutes) |
| CICA Niacinamide Sunscreen | Runny | About a minute | Minimal pilling | Not on my skin | Matte | No |
| Dot & Key Sunscreen Stick | Smooth | Few seconds | Zero to minimal | Not on my skin | Matte | No |
My Final Verdict
After rigorous testing, the Pink Watermelon Cooling SPF 50 Sunscreen ticks all the right boxes for me. Its natural finish, impressive blendability, and ideal texture align perfectly with my oily skin’s needs. But hey, skincare is subjective – have you tried any of these Dot & Key sunscreens? Which one gets your vote? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation glowing!
Also, if you wish to try out the Dot and Key Sunscreens, you can use my affiliate coupon code MRINALINI15 on their website for a discount!