APLB-focused skincare routine for skin with dark spots
A routine for skin with dark spots built around APLB products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Cleansers and toners with niacinamide help brighten uneven skin tone, while evening serums with vitamin C and niacinamide target dark spots and sun spots. Exfoliating steps with glycolic and lactic acid further help clear away dull surface skin to reveal a more even look.
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 hyperpigmentation and sun spots while the skin rests away from the sun. The 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, 2014International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026The 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 willow bark extract help improve skin tone and gently clear pores. They are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
€11.35
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
€28.02
-
ETUDE
Soonjung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
€22.25
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
€67.02
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
€14.99
-
B.LAB
Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser
€13.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
€11.07
Step 2Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners are used every morning in this routine to add moisture and help keep your skin comfortable. Toners and hydrating steps with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and centella asiatica extract help boost skin moisture and calm the skin, while ingredients like niacinamide help improve uneven skin tone and dark spots.
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La Mer
The Tonic
€10.25
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
€12.45
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
€19.99
-
COSRX
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
€18.45
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Facial Toner
€17.96
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
€36.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
€17.98
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
€21.16
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten dark spots and even out skin tone, while options with glycerin, squalane, and ceramides keep the skin soft and hydrated. They are used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
APLB
Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum
€13.89
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
€12.56
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
€17.90
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
€20.46
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
€35.95
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
€13.11
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
€59.99
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
€76.29
Step 4SPF
Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide defend against UV rays and prevent further pigmentation issues. Sunscreens with hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and panthenol provide exceptional hydration and soothe the skin every morning.
-
Torriden
DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
€24.00
-
d'Alba
UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
€29.95
-
Murad
City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
€90.90
-
innisfree
Daily Mild Sunscreen
€24.00
-
Altruist
SPF 50 Sunscreen
€10.85
-
make p:rem
UV Defense Me Daily Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA++++
€34.30
-
Purito
Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
€12.98
-
d'Alba
Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
€16.99
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Hyaluronic Acid help remove oil-based debris while soothing dark spots and boosting hydration, and they are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
€15.90
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
€56.00
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
€40.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
€21.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
€16.10
-
Bioderma
Sensibio Lait Cleansing Milk
€26.29
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
€22.99
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
€16.50
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and willow bark extract help improve skin tone and gently clear pores. They are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
€11.35
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
€28.02
-
ETUDE
Soonjung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
€22.25
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
€67.02
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
€14.99
-
B.LAB
Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser
€13.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
€11.07
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with lactic acid, potassium azeloyl diglycinate, salicylic acid, and niacinamide help clear impurities and fade dark spots. These steps are used every evening in your routine.
-
REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
€50.00
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
€17.15
-
Some By Mi
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
€15.45
-
the SAEM
Derma Plan Peeling Toner Pad
€21.99
-
First Aid Beauty
Facial Radiance Pads
€41.22
-
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
€13.69
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
€29.29
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner
€19.49
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide and tranexamic acid help target dark spots and uneven skin tone, while options with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid brighten and hydrate the skin. These treatments are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
APLB
Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum
€13.89
-
APLB
Collagen EGF Peptide Ampoule Serum
€15.55
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
€86.15
-
Paula's Choice
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
€57.00
-
MISSHA
The First Essence 5X
€33.00
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
€18.53
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
€5.75
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
€18.25
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten dark spots and even out skin tone, while options with glycerin, squalane, and ceramides keep the skin soft and hydrated. They are used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
APLB
Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum
€13.89
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
€12.56
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
€17.90
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
€20.46
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
€35.95
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
€13.11
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
€59.99
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
€76.29
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Centella Asiatica Extract and Hyaluronic Acid help remove oil-based debris while soothing dark spots and boosting hydration, and they are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
€15.90
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
€56.00
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
€40.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
€21.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
€16.10
-
Bioderma
Sensibio Lait Cleansing Milk
€26.29
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
€22.99
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
€16.50
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and willow bark extract help improve skin tone and gently clear pores. They are used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
€11.35
-
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
€28.02
-
ETUDE
Soonjung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
€22.25
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
€67.02
-
MISSHA
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Cleansing Foam
€14.99
-
B.LAB
Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser
€13.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
€11.07
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Enzyme powders with pineapple enzymes, papain, and rice powder help clear dull surface skin and dark spots, while enzyme powders with allantoin, tocopherol vitamin E, and salicylic acid help keep normal skin healthy and bright. This step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
€30.65
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
€62.04
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
€49.00
-
NEEDLY
Mild Enzyme Cleansing Powder
€39.00
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
€16.71
-
Dermalogica
Daily Superfoliant
€66.00
-
DHC
Face Wash Powder
€40.50
Step 4Nourishing Mask
Nourishing masks with hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract, and ceramides help hydrate and soothe dry skin. This step is used once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Mask Pack
€18.99
-
Anua
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
€19.90
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
€9.54
-
Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
€44.16
-
I'm From
Mugwort Mask
€18.90
-
ANUA
Peach 70 Niacin Serum Mask
€25.00
-
Dear Klairs
Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask
€4.09
-
COSRX
Propolis Honey Overnight Mask
€23.12
Step 5Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide and tranexamic acid help target dark spots and uneven skin tone, while options with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid brighten and hydrate the skin. These treatments are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
APLB
Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum
€13.89
-
APLB
Collagen EGF Peptide Ampoule Serum
€15.55
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
€86.15
-
Paula's Choice
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
€57.00
-
MISSHA
The First Essence 5X
€33.00
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
€18.53
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
€5.75
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
€18.25
Step 6Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, arbutin, and vitamin C help brighten dark spots and even out skin tone, while options with glycerin, squalane, and ceramides keep the skin soft and hydrated. They are used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
APLB
Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum
€13.89
-
Isntree
Green Tea Fresh Serum
€12.56
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
€17.90
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
€20.46
-
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
€35.95
-
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
€13.11
-
LANEIGE
Water Bank Moisture Cream
€59.99
-
Elizabeth Arden
Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
€76.29
Research behind this routine
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
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. Sofía Perea Pérez, 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
Get a routine for your skin
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