🇳🇱Netherlands

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum for combination skin

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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

  • Highly suitable for your combination skin, this serum effectively brightens and evens skin tone with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, which also offer antioxidant benefits to combat oily shine.
  • Glycerin provides essential humectant action to balance hydration without exacerbating oiliness, making it a good choice for your skin type.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for its lightweight, milky texture that hydrates while effectively brightening dull complexions and fading acne scars over time. Many with sensitive skin find it gentle and non-irritating, although a subset of users experienced no visible changes in pigmentation or suffered severe allergic reactions like redness and swelling.

Highlights

  • Brightens complexion Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter”
    • “gives you glowing skin”
    • “visible brightening instantly”
    • “boost of brightness”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “drastically decreased my acne scars”
    • “sun spots lightening”
    • “diminish of my brown spots”
    • “fades dark spots effectively”
  • Hydrating texture Often Mentioned
    • “feels very hydrating”
    • “not at all sticky”
    • “lightweight and fast absorbing”
    • “glides on my skin”
  • Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
    • “gentle on sensitive skin”
    • “no reaction”
    • “didn't irritate my skin”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for results”
    • “not the most affordable”
    • “quite spendy”
    • “pricey for the amount”
  • No visible results Sometimes Noted
    • “saw no difference”
    • “didn't do much for dark spots”
    • “cannot say it has lighten”
    • “spots would still linger”
  • Allergic reactions Rarely Noted
    • “swollen and red under eyes”
    • “patches of red dry skin”
    • “blistered and painful”
    • “severe allergic reaction”
  • Poor packaging Rarely Noted
    • “pump stops working”
    • “hard to get last bit”
    • “messy to open”
    • “bad packaging”

Sources: lovi.care, biossance.com, influenster.com, sephora.ph, cultbeauty.com, spaceNK.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum a great fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because vitamin C and licorice root brighten uneven tone while helping to control oily shine. Glycerin balances hydration without feeling heavy, and the gentle formula is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Polymers, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Licorice Root Extract brighten dark spots while helping control oily shine. Additionally, glycerin balances hydration without making your skin feel greasy.

Polymers, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Squalane do for combination skin?

Squalane helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It supports the skin barrier and provides lightweight hydration that works well for both dry and oily areas.

Skin Health and Disease, 2024Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025

Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the treatment after cleansing and before your moisturizer, spacing them out if your skin feels sensitive. This product is very safe and gentle, so it is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with other actives.

How often should I use it?

This serum is used in the evening routine. Treatments with active ingredients are placed in the PM for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, though some may also be used in the morning or twice a day.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on your combination skin. It has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation or breakouts.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A multi-component dissolving microneedle patch loaded with glabridin, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid, and tranexamic acid effectively reduced chloasma and age spots while demonstrating safety in clinical evaluation, alongside significant antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and melanin-reduction effects in vitro and in vivo.

    Polymers, 2023
  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical 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
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-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, 2025
  • Lentinan reduced benzo(a)pyrene-induced oxidative stress, malondialdehyde levels, and inflammatory cytokine production while increasing antioxidant enzyme activities in human keratinocytes.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Shiitake mushroom ethanol extract exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity, 51.99% elastase inhibition, concentration-dependent collagenase suppression, and non-toxicity in human keratinocytes, supporting its safe incorporation into stable topical anti-aging skin-care formulations.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 18 Oct 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the Netherlands.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.