Avène Cleanance Comedomed for skin with dark spots
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Zinc Gluconate
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Pumpkin Seed OilAverage
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other serums 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 your normal skin, as salicylic acid and glycolic acid help reduce acne lesions and blemishes, though it lacks sufficient emollients for optimal hydration.
- While it provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing with ingredients such as Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Tocopherol, it does not contain specialized ingredients to effectively address your pigmentation concerns.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
- Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsThis treatment is frequently praised for its effectiveness on oily, blemish-prone, and sensitive skin, particularly in managing blackheads and closed comedones, with many users reporting clearer skin and fewer breakouts. A significant number of users also appreciate its lightweight texture and matte finish. Some users note a strong chemical scent and a drying effect, with a few experiencing irritation or a sticky consistency.
Highlights
Reduces blemishes Mostly Mentioned
- “Significant reduction in blemishes”
- “Keeps breakouts at bay”
- “Effective for whiteheads/blackheads”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Ultra-light fluid”
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Non-greasy finish”
Strong chemical scent Often Mentioned
- “Smells like rubbing alcohol”
- “Overpowering chemical smell”
- “Smell is horrible”
Matte finish Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin mattified”
- “Non-oily daily moisturizer”
- “Great for layering”
Prevents recurrence Sometimes Noted
- “Prevents future breakouts”
- “Anti-recurrence action”
- “Keeps pores clean”
Drying effect Sometimes Noted
- “Made my face peel”
- “Dried it out too much”
- “Left my skin really dry”
Can cause irritation Rarely Noted
- “Made skin red and irritated”
- “Not a fit for me”
- “Caused dry patches”
Sticky consistency Rarely Noted
- “It does get quite sticky”
- “Leaves residue”
Sources: lovi.care, avene.co.uk, beautycrew.com.au, dermapproved.com, escentual.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Avene Cleanance Comedomed work for skin with dark spots?
Avene Cleanance Comedomed works moderately well for skin with dark spots, as it helps clear blemishes with exfoliating acids, though it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target dark spots and needs more hydrating softeners. To better address dark spots, this skin type needs a treatment packed with potent antioxidants and soothing ingredients that fade discoloration safely and comfortably.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This cream works for skin with dark spots because salicylic acid and glycolic acid help reduce blemishes, though it lacks specialized ingredients for pigmentation concerns. A product of this type needs a blend of effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that provide significant benefits for dark spots without any risk of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
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.
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.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. Skin with dark spots also needs dedicated brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to effectively fade discoloration.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with a retinol, but apply your retinol first and follow with this treatment to help reduce the risk of irritation. Because this product lacks sufficient moisture for optimal hydration, skin with dark spots needs a treatment that also includes rich moisturizing ingredients and targeted brighteners.
How often should I use this cream?
This treatment is safe to use once a week as an exfoliating step, and you may carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. It works best in the evening to keep your routine simple and avoid sun sensitivity.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This product is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on skin with dark spots because it contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid to keep pores clear, though some users may experience mild dryness or irritation. To better address dark spots, this skin type needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or alpha arbutin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A 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, 2020A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Repeated 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, 2017A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Silybum marianum flower extract increased human hair follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation and VEGF production while suppressing cellular senescence, and in a clinical study using hair shampoo, it significantly increased hair density and total hair count at 16 and 24 weeks compared with a placebo group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum applied twice daily significantly reduced clinical acne severity, lesion counts, and melanin pigmentation in 22 Korean acne patients over 4 weeks without associated adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical silymarin cream 1.4% showed comparable results to salicylic acid 30% peels in reducing acne severity in 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2024Topical treatment with pumpkin seed oil healed uniform wounds in rats, achieving full re-epithelialization, reappearance of skin appendages, and well-organized collagen fibers compared to untreated controls.
Lipids in Health and Disease, 2016A combinational sunscreen formulation of UV filters, melatonin, and pumpkin seed oil ameliorated UV radiation-induced photoaging in adult Wistar albino rats by increasing SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and collagen levels, while decreasing skin edema, skin thickness, and inflammatory cytokines compared to UV-exposed controls.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019Topical pumpkin seed oil increased hair follicle proliferation in mice without causing liver toxicity, oxidative stress, or genotoxicity.
Acta Histochemica, 2022
Why other serums 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, 2002Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Proylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Silica, Dimethicone, Bht, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Zinc Gluconate, Capryloyl Glycine, Citric Acid, Parfum, Disodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Laurate, Monolaurin, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Silymarin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, 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.
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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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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