Topicals Faded Serum for acne-prone skin
Tranexamic Acid
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid
Alpha-Arbutin
Kojic Acid DipalmitateSuperior
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Excellent for your combination skin, this serum effectively targets acne, blemishes, and breakouts with high concentrations of niacinamide and azelaic acid to reduce inflammation and control oil production.
- The inclusion of alpha-arbutin, tranexamic acid, and kojic acid dipalmitate further enhances its brightening capabilities, addressing hyperpigmentation concerns.
- The formula is safe for your skin, featuring soothing Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and Allantoin to prevent irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised as a "holy grail" for fading stubborn hyperpigmentation, post-acne marks, and melasma, with users reporting brighter and more even skin tone after consistent use. While highly effective for discoloration, the original formula is infamous for its strong sulfur-like scent, though a newer unscented version has mitigated this concern for many.
Highlights
Fades dark spots Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleared my post-acne marks in weeks”
- “Faded dark spots I've had for years”
- “Best product for hyperpigmentation I've tried”
- “Noticeable difference on my melasma”
Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
- “Smells like rotten eggs”
- “The scent is unbearable”
- “Smells like a perm”
- “Has a strong sulfur funk”
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “My skin looks so much brighter”
- “Gave me a nice glow”
- “Evened out my skin tone completely”
- “My face looks less dull”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Tube cracked on the side”
- “Product oozes out when opened”
- “Cap broke easily”
- “Messy packaging wastes product”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels like a light lotion”
- “Very moisturizing”
- “Doesn't dry me out”
- “Nice creamy consistency”
Effective ingredient blend Sometimes Noted
- “Love the ingredient list”
- “Great mix of actives”
- “Contains everything needed for discoloration”
- “Better than buying separate serums”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Too heavy for my oily skin”
- “Triggered a bad breakout”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Leaves a sticky residue”
- “Feels heavy on the skin”
- “Pills under my sunscreen”
- “Too tacky for daytime use”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, purewow.com, nbcnews.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Topicals Faded one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
Topicals Faded Serum is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because it uses high concentrations of niacinamide and azelaic acid to calm inflammation and control oily areas. It also features alpha-arbutin, tranexamic acid, and kojic acid dipalmitate to brighten dark spots left behind by breakouts. Soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica leaf extract and allantoin help prevent irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and azelaic acid make this serum a great fit by helping to control oil and calm inflammation, while alpha-arbutin, tranexamic acid, and kojic acid dipalmitate brighten dark spots left by breakouts. Soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica and allantoin are also included to help prevent irritation on easily upset skin.
What does Tranexamic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Tranexamic acid helps calm red marks left behind by breakouts and reduces inflammatory bumps like pimples on acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to improve uneven skin tone without significant side effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and toning. Using it at night keeps things simple and helps avoid extra sensitivity around sun exposure.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying them on alternating nights to help prevent excessive dryness and irritation. Using them together on the same night may increase the likelihood of skin sensitivity, so separating them into different steps of your routine is safer.
How often should I use this serum?
Topicals Faded Serum works best as an evening treatment, starting just once a week and slowly increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Niacinamide and azelaic acid help control oil and soothe breakouts, while soothing ingredients like centella asiatica leaf extract and allantoin help keep irritation low.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Topicals Faded Serum is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because it uses niacinamide and azelaic acid to control oil and calm inflammation. While some reviewers report breakouts, the formula is generally safe and includes soothing centella asiatica and allantoin to help prevent irritation.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Topical 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 administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Azelaic acid 15% gel showed comparable efficacy to adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing lesions, severity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in women with adult acne, with significantly lower dryness and scaling, and demonstrated superiority during maintenance compared to no further treatment.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.
Cutis, 2010A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.
Pharmaceutics, 2023Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.
International Wound Journal, 2013
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Tranexamic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Alpha-Arbutin, Behenyl Alcohol, Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Glutathione, Curcuma Longa Butter, Ethylene Brassylate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Melatonin, Phytic Acid, Squalane, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Arginine, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, 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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