Skincare routine for skin with dark spots
Cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers with niacinamide help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. Sunscreen steps with vitamin C and ascorbic acid protect against sun spots and further hyperpigmentation.
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. This weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week and adds the deeper steps to help manage hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014The 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.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
A$26.59
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
A$77.97
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
A$20.92
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
A$20.79
Step 2Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners in the Lovi routine for skin with dark spots are used every morning to boost hydration and keep skin soft. Toners and essences with hyaluronic acid and glycerin help maintain moisture levels, while ingredients like niacinamide and licorice root extract may brighten dark spots and even out skin tone.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
A$23.99
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
A$34.66
-
COSRX
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
A$37.00
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Facial Toner
A$28.00
-
Nature Republic
Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 90% Toner
A$43.01
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
A$42.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
A$31.69
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers and creams with niacinamide, arbutin, and glutathione help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while hydrating components like glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and smooth. These products are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
A$34.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
A$32.25
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
A$19.90
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
A$45.60
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
A$116.08
-
NEOGEN DERMALOGY
Probiotics Youth Repair Cream
A$130.58
Step 4SPF
In the Lovi routine for this skin the sunscreen step is used every morning. Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help defend against UV rays, while formulas with vitamin C and baicalin help combat pigmentation.
-
Bioderma
Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
A$24.49
-
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum with Sunscreen SPF 50
A$34.99
-
Perricone MD
Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturizer SPF 30
A$81.95
-
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
A$15.99
-
Perricone MD
Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D/Neck
A$152.95
-
Laneige
Radian-C Sun Cream
A$41.24
-
Blue Lizard
Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
A$29.10
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract help soothe skin and address hyperpigmentation and sun spots. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
A$25.79
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
A$172.95
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
A$80.43
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
A$30.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
A$27.35
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
A$6.99
-
Erno Laszlo
Hydra-Therapy Cleansing Oil
A$98.28
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
A$26.00
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.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
A$26.59
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
A$77.97
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
A$20.92
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
A$20.79
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with lactic and glycolic acid help fade dark spots and even out skin tone, while options with panthenol and centella asiatica calm the skin. This step is used every evening.
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
A$29.90
-
Some By Mi
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
A$26.51
-
First Aid Beauty
Facial Radiance Pads
A$62.73
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
A$70.53
-
The INKEY List
PHA Toner
A$43.80
-
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
A$14.20
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner
A$30.00
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
A$59.95
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. These treatments are used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
KraveBeauty
Great Barrier Relief
A$75.11
-
Sunday Riley
C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
A$115.27
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
A$33.00
-
MISSHA
The First Essence 5X
A$39.67
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
A$24.94
-
IT'S SKIN
Power 10 Formula VC Effector
A$48.10
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
A$16.95
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
A$9.50
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers and creams with niacinamide, arbutin, and glutathione help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while hydrating components like glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and smooth. These products are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
A$34.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
A$32.25
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
A$19.90
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
A$45.60
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
A$116.08
-
NEOGEN DERMALOGY
Probiotics Youth Repair Cream
A$130.58
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Licorice Root Extract help soothe skin and address hyperpigmentation and sun spots. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
A$25.79
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
A$172.95
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
A$80.43
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
A$30.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
A$27.35
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
A$6.99
-
Erno Laszlo
Hydra-Therapy Cleansing Oil
A$98.28
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
A$26.00
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.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
A$26.59
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
A$77.97
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
A$20.92
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
A$20.79
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Enzyme powders with papain, rice powder, pineapple enzymes, and vitamin C help digest dull surface cells to reveal brighter skin and reduce pigmentation. This step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
AMOREPACIFIC
Treatment Enzyme Peel
A$83.06
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
A$35.50
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
A$47.76
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
A$114.68
-
TONYMOLY
I'm Rice Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser
A$33.48
-
Tatcha
The Rice Polish: Deep
A$113.00
-
SRB
Stabilized Rice Bran Enzyme Powder Wash
A$35.00
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
A$38.38
Step 4Nourishing Mask
Nourishing masks and treatments with niacinamide and vitamin C help brighten your complexion and address pigmentation concerns. This step is used once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
MEDIHEAL
Vita Essential Mask
A$28.48
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Mask Pack
A$24.99
-
Mediheal
Watermide Essential Mask
A$27.80
-
Simple
De-Stress Sheet Mask
A$23.94
-
ma:nyo
Galac Niacin Essence Mask
A$28.00
-
Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
A$125.22
-
I'm From
Mugwort Mask
A$33.88
-
ANUA
Peach 70 Niacin Serum Mask
A$10.43
Step 5Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C help fade dark spots and even out skin tone. These treatments are used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
KraveBeauty
Great Barrier Relief
A$75.11
-
Sunday Riley
C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
A$115.27
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
A$33.00
-
MISSHA
The First Essence 5X
A$39.67
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
A$24.94
-
IT'S SKIN
Power 10 Formula VC Effector
A$48.10
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
A$16.95
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
A$9.50
Step 6Moisturizer
Moisturizers and creams with niacinamide, arbutin, and glutathione help brighten your complexion and fade dark spots, while hydrating components like glycerin and squalane keep skin soft and smooth. These products are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
A$34.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
A$32.25
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
A$19.90
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
A$45.60
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
A$116.08
-
NEOGEN DERMALOGY
Probiotics Youth Repair Cream
A$130.58
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
Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: A review of tinted sunscreens
Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Facial Photoaging
Topical treatment for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a systematic review
An overview of the use of proteolytic enzymes as exfoliating agents
Alpha-hydroxyacid chemical peeling agents: case studies and rationale for safe and effective use
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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