innisfree Volcanic Pore BHA Cleansing Foam for skin with dark spots
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Volcanic Ash- Salicylic Acid
Zinc Pca
Glycerin
Low
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for skin with dark spots; the cleansers alongside 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 exfoliation for pigmentation due to lactic acid and glycolic acid, which provide mild chemical exfoliation suitable for your normal skin. Glycerin further supports skin renewal and hydration.
- The cleansing action is excellent, with myristic acid and lauric acid effectively cleansing pores without causing irritation to your normal skin.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this foaming cleanser is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin types, effectively cleansing pores and managing excess oil for a refreshed feel. However, users with dry or sensitive skin frequently find it too stripping and drying, sometimes causing tightness or irritation.
Highlights
Deep pore cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “cleans the skin thoroughly”
- “removes dirt and visible impurities”
- “pores look smaller and nose is smooth”
Excellent oil control Often Mentioned
- “no oil for hours”
- “soaks up any sebum in first use”
- “best for oily skin”
Rich lather Often Mentioned
- “little goes a long way”
- “foams generously”
- “creamy, rich lather”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaving my skin definitely very tight”
- “removes little to no moisture you have”
- “too drying for dry skin”
Acne & blackhead reduction Sometimes Noted
- “decrease of pimples”
- “struggling with blackheads”
- “keeps acne-prone skin clear”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “worth the money”
- “cost-effective”
- “lasts for 5-6 months easily”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings my eyes so much”
- “smallest amount will make your eyes burn”
- “manage to sting my eyes”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “fragrance is insanely strong”
- “smells like bar soap”
- “too scented for me”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “got tiny bumps”
- “skin definitely a little bit irritated”
- “not for sensitive skin”
Texture/residue issues Rarely Noted
- “made my face feel so rubbery”
- “leaving kind of like a white film”
- “slippery residue”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, nykaa.com, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is innisfree Volcanic Pore BHA Cleansing Foam a weak match for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a weak match because it lacks the high-quality ingredients needed to effectively address pigmentation concerns like niacinamide and ceramides. A product for this skin needs safe, soothing, and barrier-repairing ingredients that target dark spots without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a weaker match for dark spots because it lacks the high-quality brightening and soothing ingredients needed to properly address pigmentation while keeping normal skin balanced. A better cleanser for this skin needs barrier-repairing ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides along with gentle, non-irritating cleansing agents.
What does Bha do for skin with dark spots?
BHA helps improve dark spots left behind by breakouts and keeps skin smooth and clear. It removes dead surface skin cells and works well on different skin tones, though mild irritation may occasionally happen.
What does Volcanic Ash do for skin with dark spots?
Volcanic ash helps absorb excess oil and provides minerals that support clear skin, but it is unlikely to directly fade dark spots on its own. Skincare for dark spots needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or exfoliating acids to help even out skin tone.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine for skin with dark spots. A skincare product of this type needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide and chemical exfoliants to help fade dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and following with your retinol once your face is completely dry. Because this cleanser removes oil effectively, skin using retinol needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and added moisture to keep the skin barrier comfortable and smooth.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily to clean your pores, though a product for this skin needs extra brightening ingredients to help fade dark spots.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores since it effectively cleans pores, but reviewers frequently complain about drying and stripping your skin. Skin with dark spots needs gentle cleansers that clear pores while keeping your skin soft and hydrated with ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant extracts.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is intended for facial use and is not formulated for the very thin skin around the eyes. For the body, cleansers of this type need effective cleansing ingredients along with exfoliating acids and moisturizers to thoroughly clean while keeping skin smooth and 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2024Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012The 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, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Kaolin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-22, Silica, Hot Spring Water, Zinc Pca, Disodium Edta, Propanediol, Lactic Acid Glycolic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Madecassoside, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.