Good Molecules-focused skincare routine for skin with dark spots
A routine for skin with dark spots built around Good Molecules products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Moisturizers and serums with niacinamide help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. Cleansers and toners with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and centella asiatica extract support overall hydration and calm the skin.
The morning routine prepares the skin for the day: it cleans off the night, hydrates, and protects, with sunscreen as its last step. The evening routine removes sunscreen, makeup, and the day's oil, then treats the skin while the skin rests and is away from the sun. The weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week to add deeper steps like exfoliation and masks for hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022
Products are rated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. For a routine based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Morning
Step 1Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help clear impurities while improving skin texture and hydration. They are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
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Good Molecules
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
AED 88.68
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
AED 74.76
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
AED 138.20
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
AED 35.29
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
AED 80.19
Step 2Hydrating Toner
The hydrating toner step is used every morning. Hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and centella asiatica extract help deeply hydrate skin and calm it, while ones with niacinamide and snail secretion filtrate help hydrate and address pigmentation.
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Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
AED 64.25
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
AED 49.99
-
COSRX
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
AED 65.43
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Facial Toner
AED 65.00
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
AED 155.24
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
AED 35.00
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
AED 73.14
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while products with glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and hydrated. This moisturizer step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
AED 38.61
-
Good Molecules
Lightweight Daily Moisturizer
AED 70.98
-
Good Molecules
Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil
AED 60.24
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
AED 75.41
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
AED 230.55
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
AED 34.80
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
AED 65.00
Step 4SPF
Sunscreen steps with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone help defend against UV rays to prevent sun spots, while formulas with niacinamide, vitamin C, and centella asiatica extract help with hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. These sunscreen products are used every morning in the routine for skin with dark spots.
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Good Molecules
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
AED 69.98
-
d'Alba
UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
AED 92.70
-
Murad
City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
AED 349.00
-
belif
UV Protector Multi Sunscreen+
AED 131.80
-
innisfree
Daily Mild Sunscreen
AED 114.30
-
Altruist
SPF 50 Sunscreen
AED 127.96
-
d'Alba
Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
AED 92.70
-
Purito
Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
AED 39.50
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract help clear away makeup while calming skin with dark spots, and options with Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil provide nourishment and maintain hydration. This step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
AED 84.00
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
AED 205.00
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
AED 179.45
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
AED 65.65
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
AED 35.29
-
Erno Laszlo
Hydra-Therapy Cleansing Oil
AED 212.92
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
AED 103.65
-
Purito
From Green Cleansing Oil
AED 71.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help clear impurities while improving skin texture and hydration. They are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
AED 88.68
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
AED 74.76
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
AED 138.20
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
AED 35.29
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
AED 80.19
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. These steps with polyhydroxy acid and hyaluronic acid also gently sweep away impurities and keep your skin feeling smooth every evening.
-
REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
AED 220.00
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
AED 53.12
-
Some By Mi
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
AED 42.28
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
AED 124.93
-
Benton
PHA Peeling Toner
AED 183.00
-
First Aid Beauty
Facial Radiance Pads
AED 89.21
-
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
AED 38.99
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner
AED 40.20
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. These treatment serums are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
AED 44.50
-
Good Molecules
Mandelic Acid Serum
AED 60.98
-
Good Molecules
Daily Brightening Serum
AED 50.96
-
Good Molecules
Gentle Retinol Cream
AED 40.82
-
Good Molecules
Discoloration Correcting Serum
AED 68.37
-
Good Molecules
Super Peptide Serum
AED 69.98
-
Good Molecules
Niacinamide Serum
AED 40.71
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
AED 168.76
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while products with glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and hydrated. This moisturizer step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
AED 38.61
-
Good Molecules
Lightweight Daily Moisturizer
AED 70.98
-
Good Molecules
Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil
AED 60.24
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
AED 75.41
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
AED 230.55
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
AED 34.80
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
AED 65.00
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract help clear away makeup while calming skin with dark spots, and options with Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil provide nourishment and maintain hydration. This step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
AED 84.00
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
AED 205.00
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
AED 179.45
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
AED 65.65
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
AED 35.29
-
Erno Laszlo
Hydra-Therapy Cleansing Oil
AED 212.92
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
AED 103.65
-
Purito
From Green Cleansing Oil
AED 71.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help clear impurities while improving skin texture and hydration. They are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
AED 88.68
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
AED 74.76
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
AED 138.20
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
AED 35.29
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
AED 80.19
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Exfoliating steps with papain, subtilisin, and pineapple enzymes help digest dull surface cells to reveal brighter skin and help with pigmentation. This enzyme powder step is used once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
AED 92.37
-
AMOREPACIFIC
Treatment Enzyme Peel
AED 382.00
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
AED 91.68
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
AED 429.00
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
AED 101.09
-
VT
Cica Mild Powder Wash
AED 47.62
-
TONYMOLY
I'm Rice Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser
AED 65.23
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
AED 82.54
Step 4Nourishing Mask
Nourishing masks with hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica extract help deeply hydrate and soothe skin, while versions with niacinamide and vitamin C target dark spots and uneven skin tone to enhance overall glow. This step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Mask Pack
AED 122.85
-
Anua
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
AED 97.63
-
Mediheal
Watermide Essential Mask
AED 65.00
-
Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
AED 98.98
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
AED 66.31
-
I'm From
Mugwort Mask
AED 120.28
-
ANUA
Peach 70 Niacin Serum Mask
AED 64.45
-
Tatcha
Violet-C Radiance Mask
AED 268.00
Step 5Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. These treatment serums are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
AED 44.50
-
Good Molecules
Mandelic Acid Serum
AED 60.98
-
Good Molecules
Daily Brightening Serum
AED 50.96
-
Good Molecules
Gentle Retinol Cream
AED 40.82
-
Good Molecules
Discoloration Correcting Serum
AED 68.37
-
Good Molecules
Super Peptide Serum
AED 69.98
-
Good Molecules
Niacinamide Serum
AED 40.71
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
AED 168.76
Step 6Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while products with glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and hydrated. This moisturizer step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Good Molecules
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
AED 38.61
-
Good Molecules
Lightweight Daily Moisturizer
AED 70.98
-
Good Molecules
Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil
AED 60.24
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
AED 75.41
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
AED 230.55
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
AED 34.80
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
AED 65.00
Research behind this routine
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Facial Photoaging
Behind this routine
Lovi builds every routine from each product's 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. Sof铆a Perea P茅rez, 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
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