Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Copper Gluconate
Zinc Gluconate
Dimethyl Mea Dmae
Aha Complex
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your normal skin due to Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Lauryl Glucoside, which help decongest pores but do not directly address your main goal of pigmentation.
- Citric Acid provides mild exfoliation suitable for normal skin, though the formula lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients and carries no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- You can use this cleanser AM and PM every single day. Start slowly 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in your morning routine or the second step in your evening routine. Follow it with toner and moisturizer.
- Massage a small amount of cleanser gently onto your face using circular motions. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- For the best results, apply your cleanser directly to wet skin to help wash away dirt. Make sure your face is clean before you begin.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes. Always do a quick patch test before using the product for the very first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this gel cleanser for its ability to thoroughly remove makeup and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it a favorite for those with normal to dry skin. Many report softer, brighter, and more radiant skin after use, though a notable minority of users express dissatisfaction with the product's strong fragrance and the recent packaging change from a glass bottle to a plastic tube.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “never dry or tight”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “doesn't strip moisture”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “removes all makeup”
- “takes off mascara”
- “cleans thoroughly”
- “melts away dirt”
Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
- “firming effect”
- “helps with fine lines”
- “youthful glow”
- “great for mature skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks brighter”
- “smoother complexion”
- “pores look smaller”
- “improves tone”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “hate the new tube”
- “cap breaks easily”
- “leaks in travel”
- “hard to control amount”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like perfume”
- “strong floral scent”
- “fragrance is awful”
- “scent is overpowering”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if near eyes”
- “irritates eyes”
- “have to be careful”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “very pricey”
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wait for a sale”
- “cost is high”
Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, dermstore.com, perriconemd.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser work for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is an average fit for skin with dark spots because it gently washes the face and offers mild exfoliation, but it does not directly target pigmentation. A cleanser for this skin needs to safely wash without stripping moisture while including soothing and hydrating ingredients that support skin brightening.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Citric acid makes this cleanser a fit for your dark spots by providing mild exfoliation, though it lacks direct pigment-fading ingredients and extra hydrators. A cleanser for dark spots needs soothing and hydrating ingredients, plus safe brighteners that clean without stripping moisture.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
What does Alpha Lipoic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Alpha lipoic acid helps protect skin from oxidative stress and everyday environmental damage that can lead to dark spots and premature aging. Using it may keep your skin looking more even and smooth over time.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2008
What does Copper Gluconate do for skin with dark spots?
Copper Gluconate helps manage skin with dark spots by supporting normal renewal and keeping the skin balanced. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep your complexion clear and smooth.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine after your makeup remover, to help clear pores while leaving your skin calm and safe from irritation. Because it does not directly target pigmentation, a dark spot routine needs extra treatments with active ingredients and hydrating hydrators or moisturizers to effectively brighten your skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine when using retinol, applying it first to clean your skin before your retinol treatment. A cleanser for this skin needs added brightening ingredients and hydrating components to better target dark spots.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It cleanses well and gently exfoliates with citric acid, though a cleanser for dark spots works best when it also includes targeted brightening ingredients.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for skin with dark spots because its cleansing ingredients help decongest pores safely. However, a product for this skin needs stronger brightening ingredients and extra hydration to truly help fade dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is safe for use around the eyes and on the body, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is unlikely to cause irritation. However, since the thin skin around the eyes and the skin on the body have different thicknesses and needs, a cleanser for this skin needs targeted hydrating ingredients and components that directly address dark spots.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical 30% P407 gel loaded with ALA cubosomes reduced facial lines, nearly resolved fine lines in the periorbital and upper lip areas, and improved skin color and texture without irritation or peeling in volunteers.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2014Application of 5% cubosomal alpha lipoic acid gel twice daily for 6 months significantly improved global aesthetic scores and increased epidermal thickness compared to placebo in 20 aging female faces.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Treatment with a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid for 12 weeks reduces skin roughness by an average of 50.8% compared to 40.7% with placebo in women with photoaged facial skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Daily application of 3% DMAE facial gel for 16 weeks safely and efficaciously mitigates forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, improves lip shape and fullness and overall aging skin appearance, and increases skin firmness compared to placebo.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2005A gel containing 3% 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) increased skin firmness, demonstrated by increased shear wave velocity in 30 volunteers compared to a formulation without DMAE.
Skin Research and Technology, 2002A DMAE-based formulation increased dermal and collagen fiber thickness in hairless mice and enhanced stratum corneum water content in human forearm skin compared to control formulations, without significantly modifying mechanical properties.
Die Pharmazie, 2009
Why other cleansers fit skin with dark spots better
Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco Isostearamide, Dimethyl Mea Dmae, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Thioctic Acid Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Disodium Edta, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our 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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.