Maelove Peptide Squad Collagen Renewal Serum for skin with dark spots
Copper Tripeptide-1
Niacinamide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NpAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other serums 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
- This serum offers excellent skin treatment for normal skin, with peptides like copper tripeptide-1 and acetyl hexapeptide-8 known for their collagen-boosting and wrinkle-reducing properties, complemented by ceramides for barrier repair.
- While it provides general hydration and soothing benefits from ingredients such as glycerin and allantoin, these are not primarily targeted towards your main goal of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Bisabolol L-Alpha and Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract with no harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
- Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsThis serum is highly regarded for its hydrating and plumping effects, with many users experiencing visibly firmer skin and reduced fine lines. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula layers well with other products and is generally gentle. However, consistent, long-term use is noted as necessary to maintain anti-aging results.
Highlights
Lightweight, fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs in seconds”
- “lightweight, highly spreadable consistency”
- “absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky or tacky residue”
- “immediately soaks into dry skin”
Firms, reduces lines Often Mentioned
- “skin felt firmer and smoother”
- “lines in my neck & chest are getting less noticeable”
- “subtle improvement in overall skin bounce”
- “skin looks noticeably firmer and smoother”
Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
- “skin felt hydrated after my first application”
- “made my skin feel more hydrated and a bit firmer/plumper”
- “immediate plumping effect”
- “so hydrating for a serum”
Layers well Often Mentioned
- “layers beautifully under moisturizer and sunscreen”
- “blends well with other products”
- “experienced zero pilling when following up with a standard moisturizer”
- “layers well with other products”
Gentle, non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “feels gentle”
- “without irritation”
- “never irritated, pilled, or disappointed”
- “help prevent any irritation to the skin barrier”
Results take time Sometimes Noted
- “results are real but cumulative”
- “improvement fades gradually if you stop”
- “give it a month before you start going 'This doesn't work'”
- “consistency matters with peptides more than almost any other ingredient”
Availability/support concerns Rarely Noted
- “advertise selling on Sephora, but they don't”
- “don't have any contact email or phone number for customer service”
- “You can only purchase from them”
Slightly pricey Rarely Noted
- “it's a little more pricey”
- “just a little bit more”
Subtle or no results Rarely Noted
- “just haven't seen a huge difference”
- “didn't think it did anything”
- “haven't personally found it 'lifting' in a dramatic way”
Sources: lovi.care, maelove.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, healf.com, omgbart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Maelove Peptide Squad Serum work for skin with dark spots?
This serum works for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better because its hydrating and soothing ingredients are not primarily targeted towards pigmentation. Skin with dark spots needs a product of this type that contains effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that provide significant benefits for pigmentation concerns without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide in this serum is primarily targeted towards your goal of dark spots, while other ingredients provide general hydration and soothing benefits. Skin with dark spots needs products featuring effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that provide significant benefits for pigmentation concerns without any risk of irritation.
What does Copper Tripeptide-1 do for skin with dark spots?
Copper Tripeptide-1 helps calm irritation and protects skin from UV-related damage that can lead to dark spots. When paired with specific ferment extracts, it helps improve overall tone and strengthens the skin barrier.
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 treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though products for this skin need ingredients that specifically fade dark spots and brighten tone.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your skin hydration and soothing benefits before putting on retinol. This routine helps keep your skin calm while managing dark spots, as the product has a very safe profile with gentle ingredients.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment serum in the evening. Skincare routines for dark spots typically place treatments at night for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, though this safe formula lacks harsh substances and may also be used in the morning or twice a day. Skin with dark spots needs dedicated brightening ingredients like vitamin C, alpha arbutin, or tranexamic acid to fade discoloration.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for skin with dark spots because it features a safe formulation with no harsh substances, though skincare for dark spots also needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or alpha arbutin.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol and alcohol denat).
What the research says
Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010Topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin caused no significant reduction in erythema or objective improvement in wrinkles compared to controls, but significantly increased patient satisfaction regarding overall skin quality.
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2006A novel regimen combining a hydroxy acid-based scrub and copper tripeptide serum significantly reduced adherent scalp flaking by 61.24%, increased hair density by 12.48%, increased hair thickness by 25.36%, and improved scalp skin hydration by 76.24% in adults with mild to moderate dandruff over 15 days.
Cureus, 2024The combination of Thermus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis mixed-culture ferment extract and copper tripeptide-1 GHK-Cu reduced inflammatory cytokines, protected skin explants from UV-induced damage, and improved wrinkles and skin barrier conditions compared to individual components or controls.
Skin Research and Technology, 2026Topical 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, 2005A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026Topical 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, 2019
Why other serums fit skin with dark spots better
Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ceramide Eop, Ceramide Np, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceramide Ap, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Bisabolol L-Alpha, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract Neem Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract Neem Flower Extract, Witch Hazel Water, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glycine, Pullulan, Sodium Lactate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Gluconate, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Phytosphingosine, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sclerotium Gum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Proline, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Pca, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat
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.
-
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.