Your morning and night routine.
Every step is backed by published research, and every product links to where you can buy it.
Pregnancy-safe filter is on. Retinoids, hydroquinone, bakuchiol, high-% salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are excluded from this routine.
This routine is built to sweep away dull surface cells and even out tone for more glow, interrupt the pigment chain so surface marks fade over time, and to pull water into your skin and lock it there with barrier ingredients. Each step works toward one of those goals.
For deeper skin tones, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation -- dark marks left by acne or injury -- is the most common type. The products below target this specifically.
A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.
Give it about 12 weeks before you decide if it's working. That's how long the research says your skin needs to show real change for what you picked. Why.
Everything in this routine
7 products
$6.00Amazon
$5.00Amazon
$12.00Amazon
$20.00Amazon
$5.19Amazon
Sun protectionEltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46$47.00Amazon
TreatmentSKIN1004 Spot Cover Patch$1.99Amazon
Prices are approximate. Browse all products · Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.
- 1Cleanser✦ Best matchGood match
St IvesCleansing Stick Rose Water And BambooGood evidenceTargets your dryness. Good evidence, Glycerin a workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin.
Built to deeply hydrate.
Alternatives
GentlerGood evidencePacificaFuture Youth Foaming Cleansing GelCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$14Amazon↗ - 2Toner✦ Best matchGood match
T.N. Dickinson'sWitch Hazel Alcohol-free Moisturizing AstringentGood evidenceTargets your dryness. Good evidence, Aloe Vera calms irritation and adds light hydration.
Built to deeply hydrate.
Alternatives
- 3Essence2 actives · 13 citations✦ Best matchGood match
RevolutionHyaluronic Essence SprayGood evidenceHyaluronic AcidGlycerinTargets your dryness. Good evidence, Aloe Vera calms irritation and adds light hydration.
Built to deeply hydrate.
Alternatives
GentlerGood evidenceAPLBGlutathione Niacinamide Mist EssenceCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$15Amazon↗ - 4Serum9 actives · 64 citations✦ Best matchExcellent match
AnuaPeach 70 Niacinamide SerumExcellent evidenceNiacinamideRice Bran ExtractVitamin CTargets your dullness, dark spots and dryness. Excellent evidence, Niacinamide a multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out.
Built to restore glow.
Alternatives1/2
GentlerExcellent evidenceLove PotionTeatree Oil Vitamin C Glow Serum SignatureCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$40Amazon↗ - 5Moisturizer3 actives · 17 citations✦ Best matchGood match
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream MiniExcellent evidenceCeramidesSqualanePanthenolExcellent evidence, Ceramides refills the natural barrier between your skin cells.
Alternatives
- 6SPF✦ Best matchExcellent match
EltaMDUV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46Excellent evidenceTargets your dullness and dark spots. Excellent evidence, Niacinamide a multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out.
Built to restore glow.
Alternatives1/2
GentlerExcellent evidenceInnisfreeDaily Mineral UV Defense SPF 45 Tinted Korean Sunscreen with Zinc OxideCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$22Amazon↗
What to expect
Week 1
Skin looks fresher after first use
Week 4
Noticeably more even tone
Week 12
Consistent glow with fewer dull patches
How we pick these Ranked by peer-reviewed evidence, not sponsorship.
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.