Erborian Centella Cleansing Gel for skin with dark spots
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few cleansers fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively addresses your pigmentation concerns with ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, which offer soothing and brightening benefits.
- The formula also contains Glycerin and Squalane, providing essential hydration and emollient properties that support overall skin health.
- Its safety profile is excellent, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with sensitive, dry, and combination skin consistently praise this gel for its ability to cleanse deeply without disrupting the moisture barrier. The inclusion of Centella Asiatica provides a soothing effect, leaving the complexion feeling soft, calm, and refreshed rather than tight or stripped.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't dry my skin out”
- “clean without stripping”
- “no tight feeling”
Effective daily cleanser Often Mentioned
- “perfect second cleanse”
- “leaves face fresh”
- “removes impurities well”
- “skin looks clearer”
Pleasant scent Often Mentioned
- “smells divine”
- “light refreshing scent”
- “smells like a spa”
- “lovely floral fragrance”
Soothing and calming Sometimes Noted
- “soothes my redness”
- “calms inflammation”
- “skin feels comfortable”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Faulty pump design Sometimes Noted
- “pump delivers too much”
- “hard to control amount”
- “wastes product”
- “pump squirts out excess”
Struggles with makeup Sometimes Noted
- “need an oil first”
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “better as morning cleanser”
- “use as second step”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “price is too high”
- “a bit pricey”
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Sources: lovi.care, erborian.com, ulta.com, sephora.co.uk, dermstore.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Erborian Centella Cleansing Gel a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit because it uses Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract to help soothe and brighten dark spots. It also includes glycerin and squalane to keep your skin hydrated and soft, and its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Experimental Dermatology, 2015
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract make this cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots because they help soothe the skin and brighten uneven tone. The formula also includes Glycerin and Squalane to keep the skin hydrated and soft, while its gentle composition carries a very low risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Experimental Dermatology, 2015
What does Centella Asiatica Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Centella Asiatica Extract helps fade dark spots by slowing down the process that creates excess pigment in the skin. It also provides strong antioxidant and calming benefits that support a smooth, even tone.
Molecular Medicine Reports, 2014International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2025
What does Glycerin do for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin helps keep dry skin hydrated and supports a healthy skin barrier, which makes skin feel soft and smooth. While it does not directly fade dark spots on its own, it is often added to spot-fading products to keep the skin comfortable while other ingredients work.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, before you apply toners, treatments, or moisturizers. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps support skin health while addressing pigmentation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol treatment. Using a gentle, hydrating cleanser like this helps keep your skin calm and supports your skin barrier while you use active ingredients.
Cutis, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your skin with dark spots and is gentle enough to use twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser daily helps improve overall skin health and dryness while supporting your other skincare steps.
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, making it very gentle for your skin. Its safe formula avoids harsh ingredients while using soothing and hydrating components that support a healthy skin barrier without irritation.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because its gentle formula has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. It helps keep skin soft and hydrated while you cleanse, making it unlikely to cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
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, 2017Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008The 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, 2012Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Squalane, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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