Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Sodium Hyaluronate
Marine Extracts
Aloe Barbadensis
Actinidia Chinensis Extract
Glycerin
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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
- Moderate suitability for normal skin is provided by glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which offer humectant action, but the formula's benefits are mostly supportive for your main goal of pigmentation.
- The cleanser offers moderate cleansing and gentle exfoliation with sodium hyaluronate and lactic acid, which are relevant for normal skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like hyaluronic acid and aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis oil-free cleanser is well-loved by users with dry and sensitive skin for its hydrating and non-drying properties, effectively removing makeup without water and leaving skin feeling plump. A significant number of users also appreciate its gentle formulation and convenient no-rinse application. Conversely, a high frequency of reviews mention a polarizing residue left on the skin, described as slimy or heavy, which some find soothing while others with oily or acne-prone skin report it can clog pores and necessitates a second cleanse.
Highlights
Hydrating and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my skin so soft and moist”
- “face always feels hydrated”
- “never tight or dry”
- “plumps the skin”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “didn't make my face red”
- “soothes skin”
- “hypoallergenic formula”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Leaves residue Often Mentioned
- “leaves a film on the skin”
- “felt so slimy”
- “won't rinse off”
- “heavy cream texture”
Convenient no-rinse formula Sometimes Noted
- “easy beach morning”
- “great for camping”
- “remove with a towel”
- “no water needed”
Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “dissolves all my face makeup”
- “melts away the day”
- “removes a face full of makeup”
Stings eyes Sometimes Noted
- “sting my eyes”
- “irritation around eyes”
- “gets into the eyes easily”
Struggles with waterproof makeup Sometimes Noted
- “didn't remove all eye makeup”
- “struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “leftover eyeliner”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “made me break out”
- “clogged pores”
- “caused hormonal breakouts”
Sources: lovi.care, drdennisgross.com, mecca.com, dermstore.com, sephora.sg, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dr. Dennis Gross Meltaway Cleanser work for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser works moderately well for your skin, though other products fit dark spots better. Skin with dark spots needs a cleanser that is exceptionally safe with no risk of irritation, effectively addresses pigmentation concerns with soothing and hydrating ingredients, performs its cleansing function excellently, and is perfectly suitable for normal skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide good hydration, while lactic acid helps with gentle exfoliation. A cleanser for skin with dark spots needs ingredients that are exceptionally safe, effectively address pigmentation with soothing and hydrating components, and perform cleansing excellently.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Hyaluronic acid is unlikely to directly fade dark spots, but it helps keep dry and uneven skin plump and deeply hydrated. To effectively target dark spots, this type of skin needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide alongside your hydrator.
What does Marine Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Marine extract helps fade dark spots and even out your skin tone by slowing down the processes that create excess pigment. It is a good fit for this skin concern because it helps keep your complexion bright and smooth.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019In Vivo, 2025
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes in your morning routine as the first step and in your evening routine as the second step after a makeup remover. It gently cleanses your skin while providing supportive hydration, though skin with dark spots also needs targeted treatments with active brightening ingredients to properly fade discoloration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine when using retinol, applying it before your treatment step to gently cleanse your skin. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing ingredients, though a product specifically targeting dark spots with brightening actives would fit your skin better.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, because its gentle formula with soothing ingredients is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation. To properly address dark spots, this skin type needs a routine that includes targeted brightening treatments and daily sunscreen alongside a cleanser.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for skin with dark spots. Products for this skin need brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is unlikely to irritate the thin skin around the eyes or on the body, as its soothing ingredients and lack of harsh components create a very safe formula. Skin on the body and around the eyes needs gentle cleansing and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to stay soft and calm.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Topical 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, 2019A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Purified polysaccharides from kiwi fruit stimulated cell proliferation up to 30%, mitochondrial activity by nearly 25% in human keratinocytes, increased proliferation and ATP synthesis in fibroblasts, and doubled collagen synthesis in three-dimensional skin equivalents compared to controls.
Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2005Ethanolic extract of Actinidia chinensis Planch ameliorated UVB-mediated photoaging by reducing wrinkle formation, epidermal thickening, and collagen loss while decreasing reactive oxygen species overproduction and regulating the AKT pathway in NIH-3T3 cells and SKH-1 hairless mice compared to UVB irradiation alone.
Antioxidants, 2024The 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
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, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Lactic Acid, Copper Pca, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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
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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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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