# A+ vs DOT & KEY

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/a-vs-dot-and-key

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Italy.

A+ and DOT & KEY are two contemporary Indian skincare brands offering thoughtfully calibrated formulas designed for daily care. Founded in 1990, A+ is widely beloved for its gentle moisturizers that suit sensitive skin best, with the 345 Relief Cream standing out for acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the newer 2018 brand is warmly embraced for its sensorially pleasing sunscreens tailored for balanced, combination, and normal skin, featuring the WATERMELON COOLING SUNSCREEN as a notable essential. While both brands focus on reliable moisture and protection, they differ primarily in their core product types and textures.

A+ is an Indian skincare brand founded in 1990.

[pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/554388-85)

DOT & KEY is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited since 2021.

This page compares some of the most popular A+ and DOT & KEY products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, [use the Lovi app](https://app.pora.ai/vqqJ/j1xj2b6o?af_sub2=compare&af_sub3=selection_note&af_sub4=pg25b9bfa470).

### Popular A+ vs DOT & KEY products

#### A+

- [345 Relief Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/a/345-relief-cream/for/sensitive-skin) — Average fit

#### DOT & KEY

- [WATERMELON COOLING SUNSCREEN](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/dot-and-key/watermelon-cooling-sunscreen/for/combination-skin) — Average fit

## Questions and answers

### A+ or DOT & KEY: which is better?

Neither A+ nor DOT & KEY is universally better, as Lovi rates both brands with an Average fit for most common skin types on this page. Every product listed across both brands also contains no fragrance.

### What is the difference between A+ and DOT & KEY?

A+ was founded in India in 1990 by an independent owner, while DOT & KEY was founded in India in 2018 and is owned by FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited. Both brands offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

### Which is more affordable, A+ or DOT & KEY?

I am sorry, but the provided page facts do not contain pricing or affordability information for A+ or DOT & KEY.

### Which causes fewer breakouts, A+ or DOT & KEY?

Both A+ and DOT & KEY list no fragrance in the products on this page and are unlikely to cause breakouts for most skin types, as Lovi rates them as average for acne-prone skin.

### When and where were A+ and DOT & KEY founded?

A+ was founded in India in 1990, while DOT & KEY was founded in India in 2018.

### Who owns DOT & KEY and how does that compare to A+'s ownership?

DOT & KEY is owned by FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited, whereas A+ is owned by an independent entity.

### Do any products from A+ or DOT & KEY contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both A+ and DOT & KEY lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

## Research behind their key ingredients

- [The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12100180/) Niacinamide · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
- [Skin delivery of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and hyaluronic acid loaded nano-transfersomes for antioxidant and anti-aging effects in UV radiation induced skin damage](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28155509/) Hyaluronic acid · Drug Delivery, 2017
- [Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36200921/) Hyaluronic acid · Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
- [Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12113650/) Panthenol · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
- [Ceramide 1 and ceramide 3 act synergistically on skin hydration and the transepidermal water loss of sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18717861/) Ceramide np · International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
- [Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18503551/) Centella asiatica leaf extract · Experimental Dermatology, 2008
- [The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28860834/) Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- [Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33103316/) Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
- [A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27425824/) Panthenol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
- [Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39009698/) Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024
- [Systematic Study of Paeonol/Madecassoside Co-Delivery Nanoemulsion Transdermal Delivery System for Enhancing Barrier Repair and Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446936/) Centella asiatica leaf extract · Molecules, 2023
- [A Lipid Mixture Enriched by Ceramide NP with Fatty Acids of Diverse Chain Lengths Contributes to Restore the Skin Barrier Function Impaired by Topical Corticosteroid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34348350/) Ceramide np · Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022
- [Efficacy and safety of moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese versus 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in decreasing adverse reaction and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: A split-face, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30945430/) Centella asiatica leaf extract · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
- [In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24376350/) Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013
- [Development of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) containing asiatic acid for topical treatment of acne: Characterization, stability, in vitro and in vivo anti-acne assessment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38460769/) Centella asiatica leaf extract · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2024
- [Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3819071/) Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1987
- [Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40613435/) Panthenol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
- [Mitigation of ultraviolet-induced erythema and inflammation by para-hydroxycinnamic acid in human skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39138602/) Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
- [Facial disbiosis and UV filters](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39499337/) Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
- [Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40911743/) Ethylhexyl salicylate · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

## The brands

- Indian skincare: [A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/brands/a)
- Indian skincare: [DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/brands/dot-and-key)

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- [Medicube vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/medicube-vs-dot-and-key)
- [The Ordinary vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/the-ordinary-vs-a)
- [The Ordinary vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/the-ordinary-vs-dot-and-key)
- [Beauty of Joseon vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/beauty-of-joseon-vs-a)
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- [COSRX vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/cosrx-vs-a)
- [COSRX vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/cosrx-vs-dot-and-key)
- [CeraVe vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/cerave-vs-a)
- [CeraVe vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/cerave-vs-dot-and-key)
- [La Roche-Posay vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-a)
- [La Roche-Posay vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-dot-and-key)
- [Dr. Althea vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/dr-althea-vs-a)
- [Dr. Althea vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/dr-althea-vs-dot-and-key)
- [Some By Mi vs A+](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/some-by-mi-vs-a)
- [Some By Mi vs DOT & KEY](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/some-by-mi-vs-dot-and-key)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this comparison: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/a-vs-dot-and-key
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