Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Bisabolol
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract
GlycerinAverage
- 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 suitability for your normal skin, as glycerin provides humectant action while Bisabolol offers soothing benefits, though these are not targeted for your main goal of pigmentation.
- The cleansing agents, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate and Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, effectively cleanse pores and support general skincare, but lack potent actives for optimal results.
- The product is safe for your normal skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsWhile it excels at calming redness and soothing irritation, some users note it is too gentle to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double-cleanse routine.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin hydrated yet clean”
- “never feels stripped”
- “gentlest wash I've used”
Safe for reactive skin Often Mentioned
- “only one I don't react to”
- “saved my barrier”
- “no breakouts or rashes”
Soothes redness/irritation Often Mentioned
- “calms my red cheeks”
- “cools sensitized skin”
- “stopped the burning sensation”
Soft, non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides on like lotion”
- “love the creamy feel”
- “doesn't foam or irritate”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “way too expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't touch mascara”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “leaves residue behind”
Ineffective for acne Rarely Noted
- “didn't help my acne”
- “too gentle for oily skin”
- “pores felt clogged”
Packaging/Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “broken dispenser”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, dermalogica.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser work for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser works moderately well for skin with dark spots, as glycerin keeps skin hydrated and bisabolol helps calm it, though it lacks targeted brightening ingredients. Cleansers that fit this skin better need ingredients that actively address dark spots while gently cleaning and keeping skin calm.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin helps keep your skin hydrated while bisabolol offers soothing benefits, though a cleanser for this skin needs ingredients that actively brighten dark spots and even out skin tone.
What does Bisabolol do for skin with dark spots?
Alpha-bisabolol helps fade dark spots and brightens pigmented skin with regular use over a couple of months. It works well to make your skin tone more even and clear.
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps soothe dry and irritated skin, but it is not typically known for fading dark spots. To effectively target dark spots, this skin type needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser fits into your morning routine after waking up and in your evening routine before applying treatments and moisturizers. It cleans pores well and keeps skin calm with glycerin and bisabolol, though skin with dark spots also needs brightening ingredients to help fade discoloration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, as it washes the face gently without harsh ingredients. Cleansers of this type for skin with dark spots need brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade dark spots effectively.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in your morning and evening routines. It gently washes your face and keeps your skin calm with soothing ingredients, though a product for dark spots needs brightening ingredients and targeted treatments to fade discoloration.
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 it is free of harsh ingredients, though a product for this skin needs targeted brightening ingredients to fade spots effectively.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser around the eyes and on the body because it has a gentle formula with soothing ingredients like oat extract and glycerin. Skin in these areas is often thinner, making a mild cleanser with a strong safety profile less likely to cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021A 1-year clinical study on human facial skin demonstrated that Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose extract inhibits the UV-induced decrease in skin elasticity and prevents or improves wrinkle formation around the eye.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Ginger extract transethosomal hydrogel improved skin permeability, sustained drug release, and exhibited significant inhibition of edema swelling along with reduced reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin E2 compared to free ginger extract hydrogel and ketoprofen gel in a rat-paw edema model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2023Topical delivery of ginger extract-loaded nanoemulsions significantly reduced arthritic symptoms, paw edema inhibition by 27.7%, and inflammatory cytokines in RA-induced rats compared to the negative control.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lemon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Fumaric Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Panthenol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium Edta
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
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