celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum for combination skin
Niacinamide
Tranexamic Acid
MelatoninHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 high suitability for your combination skin, as niacinamide and tranexamic acid work to regulate melanogenesis and provide a brightening effect, addressing your concerns about uneven skin tone.
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid offer supportive hydration beneficial for oily shine, while bisabolol provides soothing properties.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis serum is widely praised by users with oily, combination, and sensitive skin for its lightweight, non-sticky texture and ability to fade post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation without irritation. While effective for brightening and evening skin tone, many users noted that pore-tightening results were subtle or unnoticeable compared to the brightening effects.
Highlights
Lightweight non-sticky texture Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs incredibly fast”
- “no sticky feeling”
- “lightweight fresh formula”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “marks faded faster than expected”
- “visibly fading blemishes”
- “reduced redness and pigmentation”
Gentle non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “zero irritation or sensitivity”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “no stinging”
Hydrating glowy finish Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin hydrated”
- “gives an amazing glow”
- “skin looks luminous”
Minimal pore improvement Sometimes Noted
- “didn't notice pore reduction”
- “pores don't look different”
- “no dramatic change in pores”
Slow visible results Sometimes Noted
- “results take time”
- “not dramatic yet”
- “gradual improvement”
Not moisturizing enough Rarely Noted
- “need to layer for dry skin”
- “light hydration only”
- “not enough for winter”
Potential irritants Rarely Noted
- “reaction to spearmint extract”
- “caused a breakout”
- “slight tingling sensation”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, celimax.us, skinsort.com, stylevana.com, oliveyoung.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because niacinamide and tranexamic acid help even out skin tone, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide light hydration without causing oily shine. Bisabolol also helps soothe the skin, and the formula is safe with no harsh ingredients that might cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for combination skin because niacinamide and tranexamic acid even out your skin tone. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid bring in light moisture that helps keep oily shine under control, while bisabolol works to keep your skin calm.
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
What does Tranexamic Acid do for combination skin?
Tranexamic acid helps fade dark spots and uneven areas across different parts of combination skin while improving overall brightness. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated and may help target unwanted pigment without causing widespread irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps things simple and safe around sun exposure. Some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following with your retinol, or by using them on alternating nights to keep your skin calm. This helps you balance brightening and anti-aging benefits while minimizing any potential irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is best used in the evening, applying it in your PM routine. The formula is a great fit for your combination skin, helping to brighten uneven tone while keeping oily shine and dryness balanced.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as its formula avoids harsh or prohibited ingredients that trigger irritation. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help provide light hydration without leaving an oily shine.
Is this serum 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, 2002Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 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, 2017Topical 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, 2005Application of 12.5% melatonin cream significantly reduced natural sunlight-induced erythema compared to placebo and no treatment in healthy volunteers, while lower doses (0.5% and 2.5%) showed no difference.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2016Cosmetic formulations containing lycopene and melatonin showed significant differences in skin sebum content, hydration, elasticity, erythema index, and melanin index compared to control in 36 healthy women.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020Topical application of 12.5% melatonin reduced erythema induced by natural sunlight compared to placebo and no treatment in participants with an erythema reaction, without causing significant effects on cognition.
Danish Medical Journal, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, 12-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Vinyl Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Sorbitan Oleate, Spearmint Extract, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Bisabolol, Hyaluronic Acid
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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