Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Rejuvenating Moisturizer for skin with dark spots

Acyl-Glutathione
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Lactic Acid
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Vitamin F Blend
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best moisturizers for skin with dark spots.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 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 due to the presence of Palmitoyl Glycine and S-Palmitathione, which offer antioxidant activity and support collagen synthesis.
- It provides excellent moisturizing treatment with glycerin and Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, though it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively address your main goal of pigmentation.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your normal skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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 500+ reviewsThis moisturizer is highly praised for its rich, velvety texture that absorbs quickly to provide intense hydration, making it a favorite for dry and mature skin types. Users frequently report a visible improvement in skin softness, radiance, and a firmer, more supple appearance, though some note that it may not fully erase deep-set wrinkles.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps skin hydrated all day.”
- “Great for dry patches.”
- “Feels very moisturizing.”
Fast absorbing Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs fast, not greasy.”
- “No residue feel afterwards.”
- “Absorbs quickly without stickiness.”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “Light, velvety texture.”
- “Not too heavy, not too light.”
- “Creamy, not greasy.”
Expensive price Often Mentioned
- “On the steep side.”
- “More expensive side.”
- “Price is quite high.”
Improves radiance Sometimes Noted
- “Produces a radiant glow.”
- “Skin looks healthier.”
- “Imparts a beautiful radiance.”
Limited wrinkle results Sometimes Noted
- “Haven't noticed much difference.”
- “Not as good as advertised.”
- “Deep lines remain.”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Fragrance too strong.”
- “Concerned about fragrance.”
- “Experienced minor irritation.”
Sources: lovi.care, perriconemd.com, mecca.com.au, macys.com, nordstrom.com, ipsy.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Perricone MD Rejuvenating Moisturizer a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizer is a great fit for your skin with dark spots because it provides excellent moisturizing treatment with glycerin and Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, alongside antioxidant ingredients that support collagen synthesis. It has an excellent safety profile with no risks of irritation for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Lactic Acid make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots by brightening the complexion and gently exfoliating. It also helps keep the skin feeling soft and smooth.
What does Acyl-Glutathione do for skin with dark spots?
Acyl-Glutathione helps fade dark spots and brightens your overall skin tone while smoothing out the surface. This ingredient has a safe profile and works by improving pigmentation, though individual results may vary.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Molecules, 2026
What does Vitamin C do for skin with dark spots?
Vitamin C helps fade dark spots and brightens uneven skin tone by slowing down pigment production. Daily use also helps calm redness and protects against further sun damage.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizing treatment goes near the end of your morning and evening routines, right before sunscreen in the morning and after your treatment step at night. It helps keep your skin soft and smooth while fitting comfortably into your daily regimen.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside retinol by applying it either before or after your retinol treatment to help keep your skin comfortable. Because this moisturizer has an exceptionally gentle safety profile with no harsh ingredients, it is unlikely to cause irritation when combined with active treatments.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily to keep your skin soft and well-hydrated. Regular daily application helps improve overall skin brightness and texture while supporting your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizing treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores on skin with dark spots because it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients. It helps keep skin soft and smooth while remaining gentle on your face.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on the body because it features a very safe formula with gentle ingredients like glycerin and macadamia seed oil. These ingredients help keep skin soft and hydrated without causing irritation in delicate areas.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol, limonene, and linalool). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Palmitoyl glycine and cocoyl alanine demonstrated complementary anti-aging properties and superior anti-wrinkle efficacy compared to a market reference ingredient in Caucasian women.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010A 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, 2017Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical application of linoleic acid achieved an almost 25% reduction in the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones over a 1-month treatment period in patients with mild acne compared to no change at placebo-treated sites.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998Topical conjugated linolenic acid significantly reduced edema on post-procedure Day 3 and itching on Days 1 and 3, and improved wrinkling at Day 14 compared to 1% dimethicone ointment in 34 subjects undergoing fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing of the face.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2017Liposomal formulation of linoleic acid significantly enhances its skin whitening effect compared to non-liposomal forms in UV-stimulated guinea pig and human skin.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2004
Ingredients
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitoyl Glycine, S-Palmitoylglutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Peg-100 Stearate, Ribose, Lactic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
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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