COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap) for skin with dark spots

Birch Sap Juice Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Allantoin
Dimethicone
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best moisturizers for skin with dark spots.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this product offers excellent moisturizing benefits due to birch sap and glycerin, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience.
- While it provides general hydration and soothing effects, it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your main goal of pigmentation.
- The formula is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice and Panthenol.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it too hard so it absorbs nicely.
- For the best moisture, you can apply it when your skin is slightly damp. This helps your skin stay soft and happy.
- Remember to avoid the eye area when applying. Always do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 13.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, gel-like lotion is a highly recommended "holy grail" for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, effectively hydrating without pore-clogging or greasiness. While its 70% Birch Sap content is noted for calming irritation, users with drier skin types may find it insufficient as a sole moisturizer, especially in colder weather.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs practically immediately”
- “weightless subtle lotion”
- “doesn't leave much of a finish”
- “glides on with a smooth slip”
Good for acne-prone skin Often Mentioned
- “doesn't break my face out”
- “safe for acne prone skin”
- “didn't cause new whiteheads”
- “perfect for trouble-prone skin”
Non-greasy / oil-control Often Mentioned
- “doesn't clog the pores”
- “best moisturizer I've ever tried for oily skin”
- “no greasy feeling”
- “matte finish in the morning”
Soothing & calming Sometimes Noted
- “calm and treat irritated skin”
- “soothes redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “helped with my breakouts”
Insufficient for dry skin Sometimes Noted
- “not nourishing enough for dry areas”
- “need to layer with a thicker cream”
- “skin felt tight in winter”
- “not effective overnight”
Scent issues Sometimes Noted
- “smells like tea tree/medicinal”
- “miss the old lemon scent”
- “scent is a bit strong”
- “smells like cleaning product”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused a breakout after one week”
- “slight burning sensation”
- “irritated my sensitive eyes”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “feels slightly tacky until absorbed”
- “leaves a sticky film”
- “texture is a bit slimy”
- “shiny forehead at end of day”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, yesstyle.com, stylekorean.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This lotion is a great fit because it is very safe and gives your skin wonderful moisture and soothing care using birch sap, glycerin, and panthenol. While it keeps your skin feeling soft and calm, it does not have specific ingredients to fade dark spots.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this lotion a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Birch sap and glycerin make this lotion a good fit by hydrating and strengthening your skin, while panthenol and allantoin soothe it safely. However, it is a great fit mainly for general moisture rather than dark spots, as it lacks targeted ingredients for fading pigmentation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Birch Sap Juice do for skin with dark spots?
Birch sap juice is unlikely to actively fade dark spots, as clinical evidence supporting it for hyperpigmentation is lacking. For skin with dark spots, a product needs proven brightening ingredients like soy or licorice extract.
What does Glycerin do for skin with dark spots?
Glycerin helps keep dry skin hydrated and supports a healthy skin barrier, which makes skin feel soft and smooth. While it does not directly fade dark spots on its own, it is often added to spot-fading products to keep the skin comfortable while other ingredients work.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017
Where does this lotion go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizer goes near the end of your morning routine before sunscreen, and as the final step of your evening routine after your treatment. It helps hydrate your skin and keeps it soft and calm with birch sap and glycerin, though it lacks targeted ingredients for dark spots.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this lotion with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this lotion with retinol by applying the lotion after your retinol treatment to help soothe your skin and keep it comfortable. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside retinol is unlikely to cause irritation and helps support your skin barrier while you use active treatments.
How often should I use this lotion?
This moisturizing treatment is well suited for your normal skin and can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routines. Regular daily application helps improve overall skin moisture and barrier strength while remaining gentle and safe.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this lotion clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This lotion is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for skin with dark spots because it has a very low risk of irritation and uses soothing ingredients like birch sap and panthenol. It also lacks heavy, pore-clogging oils, making it safe for your daily routine.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this lotion around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can safely use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on the body because its formula is very gentle and well-tolerated. It helps keep skin soft and hydrated, though body skin can vary significantly in thickness across different areas.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this lotion fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl 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 new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Betula alba bark extract and Empetrum nigrum fruit juice upregulated barrier genes, strengthened the skin barrier, and showed significantly better skin restructuring, hydration, and TEWL compared to placebo and 3% niacinamide.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical 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, 2019Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007
Ingredients
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol, Lemon Peel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf
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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