ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum for skin with dark spots
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Adenosine Triphosphate
Beta-Glucan
Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Hydrolyzed Sericin
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few serums fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
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
- High suitability for your normal skin is provided by glycerin and hydrolyzed sericin, which offer humectant action to maintain hydration, while Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture and Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate work to smooth texture and minimize fine lines.
- Glycerin and tocopherol offer antioxidant effects and hydration, supporting your goal of addressing pigmentation and maintaining overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly regarded by users with aging, dry, and sensitive skin for its hydrating and plumping effects, visibly reducing fine lines. The lightweight gel formula is frequently praised for restoring the skin's moisture barrier and improving texture. However, some users with acne-prone skin report breakouts, and the high price is a common concern.
Highlights
Lightweight gel Mostly Mentioned
- “The lightweight gel feels refreshing upon application”
- “Glides effortlessly on the skin, leaving no greasy residue”
- “Absorbs within seconds, leaving no greasy or sticky residue”
- “Feels so light weight and leaves your face feeling hydrated”
Hydrating, plumping Often Mentioned
- “Skin truly feels plumped and nourished”
- “Super hydrating and leaves the skin smooth and plump”
- “Helps hydrate dry patches and leave skin feeling supple”
- “Leaves my skin hydrated and bouncy”
Very expensive Often Mentioned
- “Premium pricing might not suit budget-conscious buyers”
- “Expensive for 1 oz”
- “Well worth the money... but it's so expensive”
- “Pricey but it's money well spent”
Gentle, soothing Sometimes Noted
- “Gentle enough for sensitive skin; no irritation”
- “Seemed to calm my skin rather than aggravate it”
- “Reduces minor irritation, ideal for sensitive skin types”
- “Calming aloe scent provided a spa-like experience”
Reduces lines Sometimes Noted
- “Softened the appearance of fine lines”
- “Annoying fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes looked diminished”
- “Helped with hydration and my fine lines”
- “Helps visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles over consistent use”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “Effects do take time”
- “Requires patience; results are visible only after several weeks”
- “Deeper wrinkles remained largely unchanged, at least in the short term”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “The growth serum broke me out like I haven't broken out since high school”
- “Ingredient in it that commonly breaks people out: dimethicone”
- “Some individuals may experience increased acne or new blemishes”
Faulty pump Rarely Noted
- “Pump dispenser to be somewhat finicky”
- “Dispensing an even amount of product can be tricky”
- “Excess product dispensed often leads to waste”
Pills under makeup Rarely Noted
- “User found that it pills under a foundation”
- “Dimethicone may contribute to pilling”
- “Pilling may occur when layered with products”
Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, reddit.com, whatsinmyjar.com, skinsort.com, dermapproved.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Growth Factor Serum a great fit for skin with dark spots?
Growth Factor Serum is a great fit for skin with dark spots because glycerin and tocopherol help keep skin hydrated while addressing pigmentation. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin and tocopherol make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots because they provide hydration and antioxidant effects that help address pigmentation. Glycerin and hydrolyzed sericin also maintain hydration, while dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate helps smooth texture.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
What does Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate do for skin with dark spots?
Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate is included in serums that help smooth out texture and improve overall skin quality. However, a product for dark spots needs brightening ingredients like niacinamide or antioxidants to help even out skin tone.
What does Adenosine Triphosphate do for skin with dark spots?
Adenosine Triphosphate helps support skin with dark spots by providing cellular energy that aids in normal turnover and renewal. A product of this type needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide and gentle exfoliants to effectively fade dark spots.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This treatment serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Putting it on at night keeps things simple and gives you extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum alongside retinol by applying the treatment after your retinol or alternating nights to keep skin calm and smooth. Glycerin and tocopherol help maintain hydration and support overall skin health while you use both products.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is a great fit for your skin with dark spots and is used in the evening as part of your routine. Glycerin and tocopherol provide hydration and antioxidant benefits to help address pigmentation and keep your skin healthy.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for skin with dark spots because it is free of harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and its gentle formula is well suited to maintain overall skin health.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Oleyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2017A novel anti-aging serum containing acetyl hexapeptide-8, dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, gluconolactone, niacinamide, and laminaria extract significantly increased anti-aging biomarkers and improved static and dynamic wrinkles as well as skin quality in clinical studies.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A bacterial nanocellulose wound dressing incorporating polyhexamethylene biguanide and sericin showed no skin irritation in healthy volunteers and significantly promoted wound healing with lower wound size and higher collagen formation in full-thickness rat wounds compared to controls.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2016The application of a vitamin B12 and adenosine triphosphate complex improved skin radiance, elasticity, and texture in human participants.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024Direct delivery of intracellular adenosine triphosphate using ATP-encapsulated fusogenic small unilamellar lipid vesicles accelerated wound healing, improved granular tissue development, re-epithelialization, and increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression compared to lipid vesicles alone in adult nude mice.
American Journal of Surgery, 2007A self-powered chloroplast-driven nanophotosystem consisting of Chlorella-derived nanothylakoid units and hyaluronic acid microneedles increased mitochondrial biogenesis, adenosine triphosphate generation, and NAD(P)H pools in senescent fibroblasts, leading to increased collagen synthesis and alleviated skin photoaging.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2026Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022Angelica sinensis essential oil at 5%-10% demonstrated significant anti-acne effects comparable to adapalene gel with reduced side effects in mice by suppressing Cutibacterium acnes and downregulating IL-1β.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2026An Angelica sinensis extract containing 1% ligustilide demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-senescence, matrix-supportive, and antimicrobial effects in human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2026Topical application of Angelica sinensis extract induced noticeable hair regrowth, restored hair shaft lengths and follicle size, and decreased apoptotic cells in C57BL/6 mice.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2014Bacterial cellulose wound dressing containing silk sericin and PHMB improved wound quality and reduced pain compared to Bactigras in patients with split-thickness skin graft donor-site wounds.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Topical application of sericin gels increased skin intrinsic moisturization, hydroxyproline content, and epidermal hydration while decreasing transepidermal water loss and skin impedance in healthy human volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2005Silk sericin-releasing bacterial nanocellulose gel demonstrated improved mechanical properties, controlled sericin release, non-cytotoxicity on L929 and HaCaT cells, and non-irritancy in subcutaneous tissue compared to a commercially available paper mask.
BMC Biotechnology, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Peg-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Phosphate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Ethyl Linoleate, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Lactobacillus Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Acetyl Tyrosine, Dimethiconol, Oleyl Alcohol, Proline, Parfum, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hydrolyzed Protein, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, 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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