Estée Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask for skin with dark spots
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Punica Granatum ExtractAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other nourishing masks 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 nourishment for your normal skin, with shea butter and glycerin providing deep moisturization, while niacinamide and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract offer soothing benefits.
- Sodium Hyaluronate and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate support overall skin hydration, though they do not specifically target your main concern of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your creamy mask PM routine once a week to start, then increase frequency if your normal skin feels good. Always remember to wear SPF during the day to protect your skin.
- Apply the creamy mask after cleansing and toning, and before your usual moisturizer. This helps lock in all the good ingredients for your skin.
- Smooth an even layer of the creamy mask over your face while avoiding the eye area. Do not rub it in harshly.
- Apply the creamy mask on dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and can handle active ingredients well. Let it sit for the recommended time before rinsing or patting in.
- Always do a patch test before your first use to check for any allergic reactions. Avoid mixing this mask with strong acids in the exact same routine.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently describe this product as a lightweight solution that effectively calms oily or combination skin by reducing redness and minimizing pores. Many praise its ability to melt into the skin for a non-greasy glow. However, some users with very dry skin find it lacks sufficient lasting moisture.
Highlights
Lightweight & absorbent Mostly Mentioned
- “melts right into skin”
- “absorbs nicely without residue”
- “feels pillowy and light”
- “doesn't feel heavy whatsoever”
Calms & soothes Often Mentioned
- “calms my redness immediately”
- “helped with my large pores”
- “soothes irritated skin”
- “great for sensitive days”
Softness & glow Often Mentioned
- “skin looked smoother & glowy”
- “leaves face feeling baby soft”
- “gives a healthy shine”
- “woke up with glowing skin”
Versatile usage Sometimes Noted
- “pairs nicely with makeup”
- “love using it as a weekly mask”
- “great primer for foundation”
- “use it AM and PM”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive for the size”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “price is the only downside”
- “luxury price tag”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “skin felt dry by morning”
- “need something richer”
- “not enough for winter dryness”
- “absorbed too fast, needed more”
Confusing mask instructions Rarely Noted
- “nothing left to tissue off”
- “confused if I should wash it”
- “absorbs so fast I can't remove it”
- “instructions were vague”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “texture is a bit thick”
- “felt sticky at first”
- “pores felt like they couldn't breathe”
- “too heavy for humid weather”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, sephora.my, sephora.sg, esteelauder.com, nykaa.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Estée Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask work for skin with dark spots?
This cream works moderately well for skin with dark spots, providing nice hydration and soothing benefits alongside niacinamide, though other products target pigmentation more directly. To work best for dark spots, a product of this type needs targeted brightening ingredients and antioxidants that specifically fade discoloration and even out skin tone.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide makes this cream a fit by helping fade dark spots and even out skin tone. To work best for skin with dark spots, a product of this type needs targeted brightening ingredients that specifically reduce pigmentation while keeping the skin calm and hydrated.
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.
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.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cream works as a nourishing mask in your weekly routine, offering moderate hydration and soothing benefits for your normal skin. Because it does not specifically target pigmentation, skin with dark spots needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or dedicated dark spot treatments used alongside it.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first, letting it absorb, and then following with this cream to keep your skin calm and moisturized. This product is unlikely to irritate your normal skin, and using a nourishing moisturizer alongside retinol may help reduce dryness and flaking while making your routine easier to stick with.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this nourishing mask weekly as part of your routine. Skin with dark spots needs a product of this type that also includes targeted brightening ingredients to help fade discoloration.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on skin with dark spots because it contains no harsh ingredients and is safe for normal skin. However, to truly target dark spots, this skin type needs products with ingredients that specifically fade pigmentation and brighten skin tone.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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 low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009A 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 formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Topical 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 0.1% 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, 2019A 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, 2025A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract formulated into a serum and mask showed significantly better facial skin lightening efficacy than placebo in 30 volunteers over 28 days.
Planta Medica, 2020Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract significantly reduced skin erythema and melanin compared to a placebo in healthy Asian subjects over 12 weeks.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Heptyl Undecylenate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate Tricaprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Zinc Pca, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol
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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