Clinique all about clean for skin with dark spots
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Low
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- 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 cleansing for your normal skin due to sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, which remove impurities, but lacks specialized ingredients to effectively address your pigmentation concerns.
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide humectant action for hydration, though stronger ingredients would be needed for optimal results.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this dermatologist-developed cleanser line is a long-time staple for users with varying skin types, praised for effectively removing dirt and oil while maintaining the skin's moisture balance. While the majority of users with sensitive or combination skin find it gentle and non-irritating, a subset of reviewers experience dryness or a tight feeling after use.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “squeaky clean”
- “removes everything”
- “face feels fresh”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out”
- “gentle on skin”
- “soft lather”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “allergy tested”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “lasts forever”
- “little goes a long way”
- “good investment”
Skin type options Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for oily t-zone”
- “great for dry skin”
- “balances combination skin”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “too drying”
- “stripped my skin”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “skin reaction”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke”
- “hard to dispense”
- “wasteful bottle design”
Residue left Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse”
- “filmy feeling”
- “residue on skin”
Struggles with makeup Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “need double cleanse”
- “makeup remains”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, clinique.com, amazon.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Clinique All About Clean a weak match for skin with dark spots?
Clinique All About Clean is a weak match for skin with dark spots because it simply washes away impurities and adds light moisture without including specialized ingredients to fade dark spots. Cleansers of this type that fit this skin well need niacinamide and ceramides to safely treat pigmentation while keeping your skin calm and balanced.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a weak match because it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target dark spots. Cleansers that fit this skin well need ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to help fade dark spots while gently cleaning the skin.
What does Water do for skin with dark spots?
Water is unlikely to directly reduce dark spots on its own, but staying properly hydrated helps maintain overall skin health and supports the skin barrier. To effectively target dark spots, your skincare routine also needs specialized antioxidant substances and brightening ingredients like niacinamide.
What does Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for skin with dark spots?
Sodium laureth sulfate does not treat dark spots and can strip moisture and dry out skin. Because it disrupts the skin barrier, this type of product for uneven skin needs gentle cleansers paired with soothing ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after makeup removal. It removes impurities well with sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, but skin with dark spots needs a cleanser with targeted brightening ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin and rinsing thoroughly before putting on your retinol. However, this cleanser is a weak match because it lacks specialized ingredients for dark spots, so a cleanser for this skin needs targeted 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 routine. It cleans normal skin well by washing away impurities, but a cleanser of this type for skin with dark spots needs added brightening ingredients to help fade discoloration.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your skin, though it may occasionally feel a bit drying. To properly care for dark spots, a cleanser of this type needs added brightening ingredients and targeted treatments.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as it provides basic cleansing and hydration with glycerin and hyaluronic acid. However, skin on the body and around the eyes needs products with targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or specialized extracts to effectively fade dark spots.
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, 2017Sodium 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, 2014The 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, 2003
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, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sucrose, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol
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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