NATURIUM Azelaic Topical Acid 10% for skin with dark spots
Azelaic Acid
Niacinamide
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic Acid
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Sodium HyaluronateHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few serums 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
- Offers excellent treatment for your uneven skin tone and blemishes due to the presence of azelaic acid and niacinamide, which target hyperpigmentation and reduce acne lesions for your normal skin.
- Ethyl ascorbic acid and glycerin further enhance your skin's radiance and hydration, supporting overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like glycerin and tocopherol.
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 600+ reviewsMost users report improved skin texture and a brighter complexion without experiencing irritation. A smaller number of users noted initial breakouts or found the scent to be unpleasant.
Highlights
Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
- “face is so smooth”
- “visibly reduced dark spots”
- “brighter looking skin”
Clears acne Often Mentioned
- “decreased congestion”
- “nodules gone”
- “acne improving so much”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “zero irritation”
- “comfortable and hydrated”
- “suitable for sensitive skin”
Reduces redness Often Mentioned
- “calms red, pain and cysts”
- “reduction in baseline redness”
Elegant texture Sometimes Noted
- “soaks in immediately”
- “leaves no residue”
- “layers well”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “smells like Elmer's glue”
- “smells like old spit”
- “awful smell”
Drying or sticky Rarely Noted
- “little drying”
- “leaves a very sticky feeling”
- “not moisturizing enough”
Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out”
- “purging window”
- “five/six spots at a time”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “plateaued after a few weeks”
- “didn't completely clear skin”
- “too soon to tell”
Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, target.com, ulta.com, thingtesting.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This product is a great fit for skin with dark spots because it features azelaic acid and niacinamide, which target uneven tone and hyperpigmentation. Ethyl ascorbic acid and glycerin further help boost radiance and keep your skin hydrated while it works.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatology and Therapy, 2024
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This treatment is a great fit for skin with dark spots because it contains azelaic acid and niacinamide, which target dark spots and even out your skin tone. Ethyl ascorbic acid and glycerin further help boost radiance and keep your skin hydrated.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatology and Therapy, 2024
What does Azelaic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Azelaic acid helps fade dark spots and uneven skin tone by slowing down the overactive pigment production in your skin cells. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may gradually clear up stubborn marks left behind by breakouts or sun exposure.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Archives of Dermatological Research, 1990
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.
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and safe around sun exposure. Using it as directed helps target dark spots and uneven skin tone while keeping the skin calm.
Can I use this treatment with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying your retinol in your PM routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer, and using this treatment on alternating nights or in your AM routine to prevent irritation. This helps manage dark spots effectively while keeping your skin calm.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment works best applied in the evening as part of your routine. You can safely use it once a week at first, and then slowly increase how often you use it as your skin gets used to it.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause significant breakouts, as reviewers report a low risk of initial breakouts and the formula is safe for your skin. Ingredients like azelaic acid and niacinamide help fade dark spots while keeping skin clear.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatology and Therapy, 2024
Is this treatment 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, 2002Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 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, 2017A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Azelaic acid 15% gel showed comparable efficacy to adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing lesions, severity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in women with adult acne, with significantly lower dryness and scaling, and demonstrated superiority during maintenance compared to no further treatment.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015Topical 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, 2021Topical 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 application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Niacinamide, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract Coffee Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenylpropanol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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
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