StriVectin AR™ Night Treatment for skin with dark spots
Advanced Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Peptides
Niacinamide
Vitamin EAverage
- 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
- Offers excellent anti-aging benefits for your normal skin, as retinol and niacinamide work to minimize fine lines and support barrier repair.
- While glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide general hydration, they do not directly address your primary concern of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no reported risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this retinol treatment is highly regarded by users, particularly those with mature and dry skin. It is frequently praised for its effectiveness in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and for providing deep hydration without causing irritation. Many users report smoother, softer, and plumper skin by morning. Some users experience mild peeling or dryness, and a few mention an unpleasant scent or breakouts, but these are less common concerns.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “intense hydration”
- “skin feels moisturized, nourished”
- “hydrated very well”
- “rich creamy texture left my skin feeling great”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “minimizing my fine lines”
- “fine lines are not as noticeable”
- “reduces the depth of wrinkles”
- “deeper lines have improved somewhat”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “gentle enough to use every day”
- “doesn't cause me any irritation or redness”
- “no dry skin or peeling”
- “great retinol for sensitive skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “smoother texture”
- “skin feels so soft and smooth”
- “refines texture and the look of pores”
- “rough texture has also improved”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out almost immediately”
- “caused some breakouts”
- “woke up with blemishes”
Causes peeling/dryness Rarely Noted
- “new formula is causing peeling or drying”
- “experienced slight irritation from the retinol”
- “can only use it a couple nights a week or peeling begins”
Greasy residue Rarely Noted
- “oily residue that never really absorbed”
- “way too heavy for me”
- “woke up feeling really greasy”
High price Rarely Noted
- “comes at a pretty steep price”
- “price is too high for the regular size”
- “wish it was more affordable”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “could not get over the scent”
- “didn't love the color and scent”
- “has a noticeable fragrance”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, costco.com, dermstore.com, boots.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does StriVectin AR™ Night Treatment work for skin with dark spots?
It is an average fit for skin with dark spots because while it contains niacinamide and retinol to help fade dark spots, it lacks the targeted brighteners found in top-rated options. A treatment for this skin needs powerful antioxidants and specialized brightening ingredients to effectively tackle pigmentation without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Advanced retinol and niacinamide help this treatment fit skin with dark spots by supporting overall tone and smoothness, though this skin type needs a product with a blend of effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that directly target pigmentation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does Retinol do for skin with dark spots?
Retinol helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation by encouraging faster skin renewal. It also improves fine lines, texture, and overall radiance while remaining well tolerated.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2019
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 treatment go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Products for this skin need targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or kojic acid to effectively fade dark spots.
Can I use this treatment with glycolic acid, and in what order?
You should not use this treatment in the same routine as glycolic acid, as combining them is likely to cause excessive dryness and irritation on your skin. Instead, alternate the nights you use them or use glycolic acid in the morning and this treatment at night. A product for dark spots on this skin needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or alpha arbutin.
How often should I use this treatment?
Use this treatment in your evening routine. Skin with dark spots needs products featuring dedicated brightening ingredients like vitamin C, alpha arbutin, or tranexamic acid to effectively target discoloration.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your skin, as it has a very low risk of causing them. However, because it contains retinol, it may cause mild peeling or dryness as your skin adjusts. Skin with dark spots typically needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or kojic acid alongside gentle hydrators to effectively fade dark spots.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
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, 2019A 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, 2017Niacinamide 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 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical 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, 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 an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Parfum
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?
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