Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum for skin with dark spots
Retinoid Complex
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Papaver Somniferum Seed
Centella Asiatica
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other eye cares 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
- Suitable for normal skin, this serum utilizes hydroxypinacolone retinoate and niacinamide to offer antioxidant activity and regulate desquamation, supporting your goal of addressing pigmentation.
- The inclusion of retinol and alcohol presents a moderate risk of irritation for your normal skin, though the concentrations are mild and generally well-tolerated.
- The product is generally safe for your skin type, with potential for mild irritation due to retinol and alcohol.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 2.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly effective at smoothing fine lines and reducing milia, with many users appreciating its hydrating texture and cooling applicator. A significant number of users experience irritation, burning, or dryness, particularly with frequent use, indicating it may be a strong formula that requires careful introduction.
Highlights
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “erased my fine lines”
- “lessens lines under eyes”
- “skin texture improved tremendously”
Drying and peeling Often Mentioned
- “dried out my undereyes”
- “skin peeling”
- “made eyes look older/wrinkly”
Irritation and burning Often Mentioned
- “burned my under eyes”
- “caused redness and irritation”
- “irritated red patchy eye”
Cooling applicator Sometimes Noted
- “cooling effect is amazing”
- “feels lovely and cooling”
- “applicator feels great”
Hydrating texture Sometimes Noted
- “velvety texture”
- “ultra moisturizing”
- “richer than expected”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very pricey eye serum”
- “expensive but works”
- “would buy on sale”
Clears milia Rarely Noted
- “eliminated almost all milia”
- “helped milia within two weeks”
- “tackles stubborn milia”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “top falls off”
- “design better packaging”
- “cap is not secure”
Sources: lovi.care, kohls.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, sundayriley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Sunday Riley 5 Stars Eye Serum work for skin with dark spots?
This eye serum works for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better because retinol and alcohol bring a moderate risk of irritation. It helps brighten dark spots using retinoids and niacinamide, but skin of this type needs an option that is completely safe from irritation while deeply hydrating and smoothing without harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This serum fits skin with dark spots because it uses niacinamide, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, and retinol to help fade hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. To work even better for this skin type without any risk of irritation, a product like this needs gentle brightening agents paired with soothing moisturizers.
What does Retinoid do for skin with dark spots?
Retinoid helps fade dark spots and uneven skin tone by encouraging cell turnover and reducing pigment. This process smooths out rough skin and improves overall brightness, though it may take several weeks of consistent use to see results.
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 this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This serum goes in the evening routine, as a treatment step before your moisturizer. To best help with dark spots, this skin type needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, or alpha arbutin alongside gentle exfoliants.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this serum at night to avoid overloading your skin. Skin with dark spots works best with targeted brighteners like vitamin C alongside soothing ingredients and barrier-protecting ceramides.
How often should I use this serum?
This eye serum works well for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better and this type needs extra brightening ingredients and soothing agents to truly transform uneven skin. Use it in your evening routine to keep things simple and safe around sun exposure.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This serum may cause minor peeling, stinging, and breakouts when you start using it due to the retinoids and alcohol inside. To work well on dark spots, this type of skin needs a product that brightens tone and smooths texture using gentle vitamins and plant extracts without triggering heavy irritation.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
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 treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Topical 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 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, 2005Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Why other eye cares fit skin with dark spots better
- Retinol in this eye care
Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglycerin-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Niacinamide, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris Trimethylsiloxy Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-12 Dimethicone Ppg-20 Crosspolymer, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Papaver Rhoeas Extract Red Poppy Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hieracium Pilosella Extract Hawkweed Daisy Extract, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceramide Np, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Methylpropanediol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-80, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.