Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Charcoal
Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Average
- 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 cleansing for your normal skin, as charcoal powder and salicylic acid help decongest the pores, though these ingredients do not specifically target your main goal of pigmentation.
- While glycerin provides some hydration, the formula lacks sufficient humectants to offer optimal moisture for your normal skin.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing glycerin.
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
★3.9Overall rating based on 9.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective for users with oily and acne-prone skin, providing a deep clean and excellent oil control. Many users appreciate the refreshing sensation and notice improvements in complexion. However, a significant number of users with dry or sensitive skin report that the product can be overly drying and may cause irritation or redness.
Highlights
Deep clean feeling Mostly Mentioned
- “Face feels squeaky clean”
- “removes all dirt and grease”
- “pores feel breathable again”
Oil control Often Mentioned
- “Keeps shine away”
- “great for my oily T-zone”
- “cuts through grease immediately”
Refreshing sensation Often Mentioned
- “Love the tingle”
- “feels cool and refreshing”
- “wakes up my skin”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “Made my skin peel”
- “face felt super tight”
- “too harsh for daily use”
Clears complexion Sometimes Noted
- “Helped clear my blackheads”
- “fewer pimples since using”
- “skin looks brighter”
Irritation and redness Sometimes Noted
- “Burned my face”
- “turned my skin red”
- “stung my eyes bad”
Messy application Sometimes Noted
- “Stains the sink”
- “leaves black drips everywhere”
- “messy to rinse off”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Smells like chemicals”
- “scent is too strong”
- “overwhelming perfume smell”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, target.com, walmart.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser work for skin with dark spots?
Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser works moderately well for skin with dark spots because charcoal powder and salicylic acid help decongest pores, though these ingredients do not specifically target pigmentation. To better fit skin with dark spots, this type of product needs high-quality ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to safely and effectively address pigmentation while providing a balanced combination of hydrating and barrier-repairing components.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Salicylic acid and charcoal help decongest the pores, while glycerin provides moderate hydration. However, this cleanser needs ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to specifically address dark spots and help maintain skin health.
What does Activated Charcoal do for skin with dark spots?
Activated charcoal is unlikely to fade dark spots or provide skin-lightening benefits, as clinical evidence supporting these claims is currently lacking. To address dark spots effectively, this skin type needs ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or chemical exfoliants that target pigment production.
What does Salicylic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Salicylic acid helps fade dark spots and uneven skin tone left behind after breakouts. It gently clears away surface buildup, which may improve the look of dark marks and support a smoother, more even complexion over time.
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 to help clear out pores. To best care for skin with dark spots, this type of product needs targeted brightening ingredients and extra moisture.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but apply it in your routine before your retinol treatment. A cleanser of this type works best for skin with dark spots when it also includes brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade discoloration.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your normal routine, though it does not specifically target dark spots. To better address dark spots, a cleanser of this type needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide and extra moisture.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your skin, as salicylic acid and charcoal help keep pores clear. However, it does not target dark spots, so this skin needs ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade discoloration.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin directly around the eyes. Cleansers used near the eyes or on the body need gentle, hydrating ingredients that protect delicate areas and keep skin soft.
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, 2017Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.
Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 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, 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, 2003Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014
Why other cleansers fit skin with dark spots better
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Laureth-4 Carboxylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Methylparaben, Polyquaternium-39, Propylparaben, Charcoal Powder, Disodium Edta, Mannitol, Cellulose, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Methylisothiazolinone, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides
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
How does it fit your skin?
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