Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Amino Acids
Coco-Glucoside
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Glycerin
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few cleansers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
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
- Suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with coco-glucoside and sodium hyaluronate, while glycerin and bisabolol provide essential hydration and soothing benefits.
- While it offers general skincare advantages, it does not specifically target your main goal of pigmentation.
- The formula is safe for your normal skin, containing soothing ingredients like bisabolol and ceramides and lacking any harsh or prohibited substances.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis water-based cleanser is highly regarded for its exceptionally gentle and non-drying formula, effectively cleansing the skin while preserving moisture. It is frequently recommended for sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin types due to its calming properties and luxurious foam, leaving the skin feeling hydrated and smooth.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out my face”
- “leaves skin soft like a baby”
- “no stripped feel”
- “moisturizing finish”
Rich, dense foam Often Mentioned
- “foam is rich and creamy”
- “lovely big flump of foam”
- “bubbles sound better than foam”
- “velvet foam”
Soothing for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't sting my eyes”
- “calming effect”
- “no redness after use”
Effective second cleanse Sometimes Noted
- “great for morning routine”
- “removes residue nicely”
- “perfect after cleansing oil”
- “ideal second cleanser”
Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “won't remove mascara”
- “more of a skin cleanse than makeup remover”
- “need oil cleanser first”
- “struggled with heavy foundation”
Fast consumption Rarely Noted
- “bottle goes fast”
- “used up quickly”
- “wish it was bigger”
- “pump dispenses a lot”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “prominent acidic hint”
- “smells slightly chemical”
- “weird scent”
- “medicinal smell”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, stylekorean.com, picky.com, britishbeautyblogger.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit because it effectively washes away dirt with gentle ingredients while keeping your skin calm and hydrated with glycerin and bisabolol. While it does not actively fade dark spots, it is very safe and gentle for your skin type.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Alpha-bisabolol helps make this cleanser a good fit because it has been shown to produce a skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin over several weeks.
What do Amino Acids do for skin with dark spots?
Amino acids help improve dark spots by supporting an even skin tone and a brighter, smoother look. A product of this type needs targeted brightening ingredients and gentle hydrators to help fade discoloration while keeping skin soft.
What does Coco Glucoside do for skin with dark spots?
Coco glucoside helps build stable formulas that support the skin's natural barrier. For dark spots, a product of this type needs added brightening ingredients that help even out skin tone.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. It safely washes away dirt while keeping your skin calm and hydrated, though a product for dark spots also needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, and it is a great fit for your skin because it washes away impurities gently while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Use it first in your routine to clean your face before applying your retinol treatment.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in both your morning and evening routines. It is gentle on the skin, effectively washing away dirt while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging, as its gentle formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients for your skin. It contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol and ceramides to help keep your skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, as the formula is gentle and suitable for normal skin. The skin around the eyes is very thin, but soothing ingredients like bisabolol and ceramides help keep it calm and protected from irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
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, 2017Application 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, 2010Coco-glucoside powered emulgels containing probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated stability without phase separation and preserved probiotic viability for up to 11 days, supporting the skin's natural barrier.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019The 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, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Glycine, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Valine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cysteine, Methionine, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide Np, Limonene
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.