Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Jojoba Esters
Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSuperior
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for skin with dark spots.
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
- Excellent suitability for your normal skin is provided by the combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, which offer optimal keratolytic action and desquamation regulation to address pigmentation.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate further enhance the formula by soothing your skin and providing antioxidant benefits, complementing the primary exfoliating ingredients.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components that minimize irritation risk.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to start, moving up to twice a week if your skin likes it. Always apply SPF during the day while using this product.
- Apply this exfoliant step right after your cleanser and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it dry. Avoid rubbing your face hard.
- Apply the product on clean, completely dry skin to make sure it works best for your pigmentation goals.
- Remember to avoid the delicate eye area and do a quick patch test before using it for the first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective at smoothing skin texture and brightening the complexion, with many users appreciating its ability to clear congestion and provide gentle exfoliation. Some users with sensitive skin have noted that it can be drying or harsh if used too frequently, and a few find the price point to be high.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my skin smooth”
- “felt so soft”
- “polished feel”
Brighter complexion Often Mentioned
- “skin looks glowing”
- “brighter appearance”
- “removes dullness”
Clears acne/congestion Sometimes Noted
- “reduced my breakouts”
- “blackheads diminished”
- “pores look smaller”
Gentle physical exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “beads are gentle”
- “not scratchy”
- “dissolves nicely”
Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
- “face felt tight”
- “skin felt dry”
- “stripped moisture”
Too harsh/irritating Sometimes Noted
- “burnt my face”
- “caused redness”
- “not for sensitive skin”
Efficient product usage Rarely Noted
- “little goes a long way”
- “lasts a long time”
- “good lather”
Expensive price point Rarely Noted
- “pricey for a wash”
- “expensive”
- “cost is high”
Not for daily use Rarely Noted
- “too strong for daily”
- “use sparingly”
- “over-exfoliated”
Runny consistency Rarely Noted
- “watery texture”
- “pours out fast”
- “hard to control”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, kohls.com, ulta.com, murad.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser one of the best fits for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is an excellent fit for skin with dark spots because glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids help clear away uneven pigment while soothing ingredients keep irritation low. It also includes antioxidants that calm your skin and support a smooth, bright look.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid make this cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots because they clear away dull surface cells and target pigmentation. Soothing dipotassium glycyrrhizate and brightening sodium ascorbyl phosphate further help calm your skin and improve tone.
What does Glycolic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Glycolic acid helps fade dark spots and improves uneven skin tone by encouraging the shedding of pigmented surface cells. When used in treatments or peels alongside other brightening ingredients, it may further reduce the severity of stubborn discoloration.
What does Lactic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Lactic acid helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone. It works by gently removing dead surface skin and helping with pigment concerns.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2010
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes into both your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step. Starting to use exfoliating cleansers once a week helps your skin adjust safely before possibly using them more often.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but to keep your skin calm it is best to use them on different days or separate them into your morning and evening routines. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid help clear dark spots, but combining strong exfoliants with retinol at the exact same time may lead to extra dryness or irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start using this cleanser once a week, and if your skin handles it well without irritation, you can carefully use it more often. The mix of exfoliating acids helps fade dark spots while soothing ingredients keep your skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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 uses exfoliating acids that help clear dead surface buildup. However, it may cause some initial purging or mild dryness as it speeds up skin renewal.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.
Acta Biomaterialia, 2022Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2024Topical formulations containing 3.75% glycerol and 1.25% hydrolyzed jojoba esters produced significantly lower evaporative TEWL values compared to glycerol alone at 8 and 24 hours posttreatment in human subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Jojoba Esters, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Pca, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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
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