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Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil for skin with dark spots

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 anti-aging benefits for your normal skin due to hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, while blackberry seed oil provides emollient action.
  • While the formula offers general hydration and soothing effects from ingredients like chamomile oil, these benefits are not directly targeted towards your primary concern of pigmentation.
  • 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

★4.3Overall rating based on 3.8k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with diverse skin types, particularly those with acne-prone, mature, or sensitive skin, frequently praise this oil for its ability to simultaneously calm redness and refine texture. The combination of retinol and blue tansy is widely credited with delivering a "morning glow," reducing the appearance of pores, and soothing inflammation, though the herbal scent and high price point are common points of contention.

Highlights

  • Calms redness & irritation Mostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly calms the skin”
    • “Soothes visible redness”
    • “Neutralizes signs of sensitivity”
    • “Reduced redness overnight”
  • Delivers radiant glow Often Mentioned
    • “Woke up with a beautiful glow”
    • “Skin looked brighter and revitalized”
    • “Gives a hydrated glow”
    • “Luminous complexion by morning”
  • Smooths skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Pores look smaller”
    • “Skin feels glass-like”
    • “Texture is significantly improved”
    • “Smoothed out fine lines”
  • Expensive price tag Often Mentioned
    • “Ridiculously expensive”
    • “Jaw-dropping sum of money”
    • “Price is steep”
    • “Not worth the splurge”
  • Unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells like Vicks VapoRub”
    • “Scent is somewhat grandma-like”
    • “Smells like old oil”
    • “Overpowering earthy scent”
  • Clears acne & breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin looks clearer”
    • “Doesn't break me out”
    • “Saved my skin from acne”
    • “Helps with hormonal breakouts”
  • Oily or heavy feel Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels a little cloying”
    • “Heavy on the skin”
    • “Very oily residue”
    • “Takes a long time to sink in”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Gave me horrible acne”
    • “Breaks me out every time”
    • “Ruined my skin”
    • “Caused deep cystic bumps”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, influenster.com, ulta.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil work for skin with dark spots?

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil works for skin with dark spots as an average fit because its soothing and hydrating ingredients do not directly target dark spots. A product for dark spots needs a blend of effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that provide significant benefits for pigmentation concerns without any risk of irritation.

Which ingredients make this oil a good fit for skin with dark spots?

Retinol and other vitamin A relatives help smooth and renew your skin, but this product needs ingredients that specifically target dark spots, such as antioxidants and skin-brightening agents.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Retinol do for skin with dark spots?

Retinol helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It works by boosting skin renewal, though it may occasionally cause mild scaling or stinging when first starting out.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016

What does Blue Tansy do for skin with dark spots?

Blue Tansy helps calm redness and may improve skin with dark spots by supporting an even, smooth look. Plant extracts like this are unlikely to irritate and offer a gentle way to address pigmentation compared to harsh bleaching agents.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings, 2008International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008

Where does it go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?

This treatment goes in the evening routine before your moisturizer. While it is safe for your skin, it does not target dark spots directly, so skin with dark spots needs a product with brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.

Can I use this oil with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this treatment oil with vitamin C by applying your vitamin C in the morning and saving this oil for your evening routine. This approach keeps your skin calm while giving you the benefits of both ingredients.

How often should I use it?

Use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a week initially and gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Skin with dark spots needs products that combine retinoids with targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or alpha arbutin to effectively fade dark spots.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?

This product is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your skin, as it has a very low risk of causing breakouts according to reviewer feedback. However, because it has an average fit for skin with dark spots, a product of this type for your skin needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to effectively fade spots.

Is this oil fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and retinyl propionate at a 5:9 weight ratio synergistically enhanced antiaging gene expressions in vitro and improved skin wrinkles, smoothness, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity in 42 Chinese urban women over an 8-week period without adverse reactions compared to retinol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

  • A topical serum containing hydroxypinacolone retinoate and peptides used twice daily for 16 weeks achieved parity or statistically significantly better improvement in facial aging parameters compared to a single fractional CO2 laser treatment in women with moderate global photodamage.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Oligomeric proanthocyanidin topical cream and lotion significantly reduced UV-induced erythema by 45.9% and 53.1% respectively and increased skin hydration by nearly 20% in human subjects, with dietary supplementation providing additional suppression of erythema and higher skin hydration.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2007

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

  • Topical chamazulene treatment mitigates UVB-induced photoaging in mouse skin by upregulating fatty acid metabolism genes, restoring fatty acid homeostasis, enhancing non-essential amino acid metabolism, and downregulating the p38 MAPK/COX-2 pathway, likely via PPARα/γ activation.

    Antioxidants, 2025

  • Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013

  • Grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel applied on the cheeks of healthy volunteers significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and pores while increasing moisture and elasticity compared to a placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • Topical treatment with cranberry oil and grape oil improved wound healing in rats, with cranberry oil showing an 88.1% wound area reduction and grape oil showing 84.6% compared to 74.1% in controls and 78.4% in the mupirocin standard group on day 13.

    Phytotherapy Research, 2011

  • An ionic liquid-based grapeseed oil emulsion increased transdermal penetration by 4.63-fold and improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and facial wrinkles after 28 days of continuous use compared to ordinary emulsion.

    Pharmaceuticals, 2024

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, 2002

  • Treatment 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

Blackberry Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Matricaria Oil Flower, Tanacetum Annuum Oil Blue Tansy Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Oil English Chamomile Oil, Eriocephalus Punctualatus Oil Cape Chamomile Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil Blood Orange Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil Ylang Ylang Flower Oil, Vetivera Zizanoides Oil Vetiveria Zizanoides Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Ci 61565 Green 6, Ci 60725 Violet 2

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play