Walgreens Foaming Facial Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Niacinamide
Ceramide Ap
Ceramide Np
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Glycerin
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 pigmentation concerns with niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin tone, while hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid provides essential hydration and supports your skin barrier.
- The formulation's cleansing agents, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, efficiently remove impurities without stripping your skin, complementing the humectant action of glycerin and ceramides for barrier repair.
- This product is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation.
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
★4.1Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this cleanser is praised as a cost-effective option suitable for normal to oily and sensitive skin. It effectively cleanses without stripping moisture, though it may not fully remove heavy makeup. Some users also noted issues with product availability.
Highlights
Great value Mostly Mentioned
- “Affordable alternative”
- “Fraction of the cost”
- “Budget-friendly choice”
Gentle cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't strip skin”
- “Mild yet effective”
- “Good for sensitive skin”
Effective oil control Sometimes Noted
- “Removes excess oil”
- “Great for oily skin”
- “Keeps pores clear”
Skin barrier support Sometimes Noted
- “Contains ceramides”
- “Respects skin barrier”
- “Hydrating ingredients”
Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't remove heavy makeup”
- “Needs a double cleanse”
- “Struggles with mascara”
Basic packaging Rarely Noted
- “Packaging varies”
- “Simple design”
- “Not premium feel”
Limited availability Rarely Noted
- “Out of stock locally”
- “Hard to find in-store”
- “Shipping delays”
Sources: lovi.care, walgreens.com, skinsort.com, lemon8-app.com, ewg.org, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Walgreens Foaming Facial Cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit because it uses niacinamide to help fade dark spots and even out your skin tone. It also includes hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated while gentle cleansing agents wash away impurities without irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Scientific Reports, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit for skin with dark spots because it contains niacinamide to help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. It also includes hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated and support your skin barrier while cleansing.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Scientific Reports, 2024
What does Niacinamide do for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of pigment in the skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall skin brightness with consistent use.
What does Ceramide AP do for skin with dark spots?
Ceramide AP helps restore the outer skin barrier and keeps it hydrated, which supports a smooth, even surface. When addressing dark spots, this type of skin needs ingredients that also target pigment production and encourage cell renewal for a clearer complexion.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is used both in the morning and evening for skin with dark spots. It fits into your morning routine before a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen, and into your evening routine after a makeup remover and before a cleansing toner, treatment, and moisturizer.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using it in your routine before applying your retinol treatment to help cleanse your skin without irritation. Using a gentle cleanser first supports your skin barrier while you use active treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Washing with a mild cleanser helps remove impurities while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit for skin with dark spots and is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts or lead to purging. Its gentle formula washes away dirt while protecting your skin barrier with ceramides and glycerin, posing virtually no risk of irritation.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but take extra care around the thin skin of your eyes because facial cleansers can sometimes cause dryness in that delicate area. The gentle cleansing agents and hydrating ingredients safely wash away impurities without stripping moisture when used properly.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2002Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A 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 nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Topical 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, 2019The 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
Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Glycerin, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Eop, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Phytosphingosine, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
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.