Perricone MD Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer for skin with dark spots
Sodium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
Squalane
Shea Butter
Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateAverage
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other moisturizers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
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 hydration for your normal skin, with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin providing excellent humectant action, while squalane and shea butter offer emollient benefits.
- The formula includes Bisabolol and Allantoin to soothe the skin, contributing to its overall comfort and suitability for normal skin.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components.
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 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this oil-free gel-cream is highly favored by users with dehydrated, mature, and combination skin for its ability to deliver deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. Many report visibly plumper skin and reduced fine lines, while a minority experienced breakouts or found the moisture insufficient for very dry skin types.
Highlights
Lightweight feel Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “not greasy”
- “lightweight gel-cream”
- “sinks in fast”
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “intense hydration”
- “quenches thirst”
- “plumps skin”
- “locks things in”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “smoother skin”
- “soft feel”
- “radiant glow”
- “airbrushed look”
Anti-aging effects Sometimes Noted
- “minimizes fine lines”
- “firmer skin”
- “youthful appearance”
- “reduced pore size”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “worth it but expensive”
- “splurge”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke my face out”
- “caused acne”
- “red blotches”
- “burning sensation”
Not for dry skin Rarely Noted
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “need heavier cream”
- “didn't notice difference”
- “dry patches remained”
Scent issues Rarely Noted
- “strong scent”
- “rosemary smell”
- “scent varies”
- “unpleasant odor”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer work for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizer works moderately well for skin with dark spots, providing hydration and soothing comfort while addressing pigmentation with niacinamide and vitamin C. Skin with dark spots needs effective brightening ingredients that align with pigmentation goals, along with moisturizing ingredients that support the skin without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This cream contains niacinamide and vitamin C to help fade dark spots and brighten the skin. To work best for skin with dark spots, this type of product also needs targeted brightening ingredients and vitamins that address uneven pigment while keeping the skin calm.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for skin with dark spots?
Hyaluronic acid is unlikely to directly fade dark spots, but it helps keep dry and uneven skin plump and deeply hydrated. To effectively target dark spots, this type of skin needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide alongside your hydrator.
What does Niacinamide do for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of pigment in the skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall skin brightness with consistent use.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizer goes in the morning routine after a hydrating toner and before sunscreen, and in the evening routine as the final step after your treatment. Skin with dark spots works best with targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide and gentle exfoliants to help fade discoloration over time.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the moisturizer first to help keep your skin comfortable and smooth, and to support your skin barrier while using retinol. This type of product needs extra brightening ingredients like vitamin C or kojic acid to effectively help fade dark spots on skin with dark spots.
How often should I use it?
This moisturizer can be used daily in your morning and evening routines. Applying it regularly helps keep your skin soft and comfortable while supporting your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This moisturizing treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts, as reviewers report very few issues with breakouts and the formula contains soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm. Skin with dark spots usually benefits from brightening ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to help fade dark spots while keeping the skin smooth and balanced.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on your body, as it has a very good skin tolerance and safe profile. Since the eyelid skin is especially thin, gentle and hydrating formulas like this help keep it soft and smooth without causing irritation.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
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 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, 2020Niacinamide 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 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 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, 2005Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 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, 2022
Why other moisturizers fit skin with dark spots better
Topical 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 application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Urea, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Dimethyl Mea, Styrene Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phosphatidylcholine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysilicone-11, Triacetin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Serine, Sorbitol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate
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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