Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil for skin with dark spots
Retinol
Ceramides
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil
Tocopherol
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other moisturizers fit it better.
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 moisturizing and texture smoothing for your normal skin due to Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Retinol, which hydrate and regulate desquamation.
- While Tocopherol provides antioxidant support, the formula lacks sufficient humectants and emollients for optimal hydration and barrier function, and its benefits are mostly supportive rather than directly targeting your main goal of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation 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 800+ reviewsUsers describe this oil as a gentle, hydrating retinol that smooths texture and boosts radiance without irritation, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin types targeting fine lines and dullness. Some users with oily skin found the marula oil base too heavy, and a moderate number of reviews mentioned an unpleasant smell.
Highlights
Hydrating and moisturizing Mostly Mentioned
- “doused skin with moisture”
- “super hydrating”
- “leaves face soft”
- “good for dry winter skin”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “no flaking or redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “zero irritation”
- “gentle retinol”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “woke up glowing”
- “smoother complexion”
- “restored bounce”
Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “perfect gateway retinol”
- “great introduction”
- “easy to tolerate”
- “best for newbies”
Greasy texture Sometimes Noted
- “sits on top of skin”
- “too oily”
- “thick and sticky”
- “doesn't absorb well”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “smells rancid”
- “stale cooking oil scent”
- “smells like food”
- “weird earthy odor”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “made me break out”
- “cystic acne flared”
- “clogged pores”
- “bad reaction”
High price Rarely Noted
- “too expensive”
- “pricey for the size”
- “not worth the money”
- “better cheaper alternatives”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, drunkelephant.com, kohls.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does A-Gloei Maretinol Oil work for skin with dark spots?
This oil works moderately well for skin with dark spots, providing some smoothing and soothing moisture, but its benefits are mostly supportive rather than directly targeting dark spots. Products that fit this skin better need effective brightening ingredients that target pigmentation along with moisturizing and soothing components.
Which ingredients make this oil a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Retinol and Sclerocarya Birrea seed oil make this oil a good fit by helping smooth skin texture and provide moderate moisture. A product for dark spots needs effective brightening ingredients that align directly with pigmentation goals alongside moisturizing and soothing components.
What does Retinol do for skin with dark spots?
Retinol helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It works by boosting skin renewal, though it may occasionally cause mild scaling or stinging when first starting out.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
What do Ceramides do for skin with dark spots?
Ceramides help keep the skin barrier strong and hold in moisture, which supports healthy skin overall. When dealing with dark spots, a product of this type needs added ingredients like niacinamide or vitamin C to actively fade discoloration and brighten the skin.
Scientific Reports, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023
Where does this oil go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This oil goes in your evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and before moisturizing. Skin with dark spots needs products that directly target pigmentation with specialized brightening ingredients, along with plenty of hydrating humectants and barrier-protecting emollients.
Can I use this oil with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C first in your morning routine and this oil in your evening routine. This helps you avoid putting too many active products on your skin at once and keeps your skin calm.
How often should I use this oil?
You can use this treatment oil in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and toning. A product of this type needs more targeted brightening ingredients, humectants, and rich softeners to properly address dark spots while deeply hydrating.
Can this oil clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This oil is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for skin with dark spots, as it has a low risk of causing breakouts according to reviews. However, because it contains retinol, you may experience mild purging as it speeds up skin renewal.
Can I use this oil around the eyes or on my body?
This oil is safe to use on your body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes and on certain body areas is very thin, a product of this type needs soothing oils and gentle smoothing ingredients to keep those areas soft and calm.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015
What the research says
Topical application of Sclerocarya birrea nut oil is non-irritant, exhibits significant moisturising and hydrating effects on lipid-dry skin, and shows occlusive properties on normal skin in healthy caucasian adult female volunteers.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Why other moisturizers fit skin with dark spots better
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 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
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Np
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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