Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for skin with dark spots
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Citric Acid
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 due to Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract's anti-inflammatory action and Glycerin's humectant properties, which provide soothing and hydration benefits.
- The cleansing agents, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine, effectively purify pores, supporting overall skin health.
- This product is safe for your skin as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract to soothe.
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 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel-to-foam cleanser is highly regarded by users with normal to oily skin for its effective deep cleansing that leaves skin feeling refreshed and soothed without stripping essential moisture. It is frequently noted for its ability to calm redness and control shine. Some users with dry or sensitive skin have reported it can be slightly drying or irritating.
Highlights
Deep cleans without stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleanses well without stripping my skin of essential moisture”
- “Leaves my face feeling comfortable and fresh without any tightness”
- “Face feels clean but not dried out”
- “Removes dirt and oil without the squeaky clean, tight feel”
Great for oily/combo skin Often Mentioned
- “Best face wash for my oily skin”
- “Helps control the shine”
- “Balances my combination skin perfectly”
- “Keeps my T-zone in check without drying cheeks”
Soothing and calming Often Mentioned
- “Helps relieve visible redness and discomfort”
- “Great for soothing acne-prone skin”
- “Calms my skin and reduces irritation”
- “Feels very gentle and soothing on the face”
Efficient / Long-lasting Sometimes Noted
- “A little goes a long way”
- “One pump is enough for the whole face”
- “Bottle lasts for months”
- “Lathers up richly with a small amount”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “Left my skin feeling tight”
- “Too stripping for my dry skin”
- “Caused some dry patches around my nose”
- “Not hydrating enough for winter use”
Poor makeup removal Rarely Noted
- “Doesn't remove heavy makeup well”
- “Need a separate makeup remover first”
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “Left some residue after washing”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “A bit on the pricey side”
- “Expensive for a face wash”
- “Good but not sure it's worth the high price”
- “Wish it was more affordable”
Scent preference Rarely Noted
- “Smells a bit like medicine”
- “Faint floral-herbal scent may not suit everyone”
- “Don't like the herbal smell”
- “Scent is a bit strong for me”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, sephora.com, sephora.co.uk, ulta.com, kiehls.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit because it contains Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract to calm the skin and Glycerin to provide hydration. Its gentle cleansing ingredients effectively purify pores while helping maintain overall skin health without harsh effects.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract make this cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots because they provide soothing and hydration benefits without harsh ingredients. These ingredients help keep skin calm while gently purifying pores for overall skin health.
What does Calendula Flower Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Calendula officinalis extract helps calm skin and supports overall skin health, though it is not a direct brightener for dark spots. Skincare for dark spots typically requires targeted ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root extract, or peony root extract to effectively fade discoloration.
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 routine as the first step, and in your evening routine right after your makeup remover. It gently purifies pores while soothing skin with calendula and glycerin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying your retinol treatment, as it is safe and free of harsh ingredients. Using a gentle cleanser helps purify pores while keeping your skin calm.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help purify pores while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Regular use of a gentle cleanser supports overall skin health without harsh effects.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients and uses mild cleansing agents to purify pores while soothing the skin. However, some users may find it slightly drying, which can occasionally happen with foaming washes.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take care around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner than on most body regions. Glycerin helps provide lasting hydration, and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract helps soothe the skin safely.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and citral).
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 application of Calendula officinalis extract cream significantly improved skin hydration and firmness (reflected in significant changes in R0 and R6 parameters) in 21 healthy human volunteers compared to a base cream.
Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2011Treatment with standardized extract of Calendula officinalis L. led to a shorter epithelization time and faster healing speed compared to mineral oil in patients with acute skin loss wounds of the hand and fingers healing by secondary intention.
Tissue Barriers, 2022Topical administration of Calendula provides weak evidence of effectiveness in acute and chronic wounds compared to standard treatments based on a narrative review of available trials.
Wounds, 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, 2012The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical 20% citric acid lotion increases viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycan content in sun-damaged skin compared to vehicle alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 1997
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Edta, Propylene Glycol, Geranium Oil, Citral, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Citric Acid
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.