A good skin care regimen comprises 4 steps - cleansing, toning, moisturizing and sunblock. Based on your skin type, a dermatologist will recommend you appropriate products. Thanks for the query. Dark spots could mean many things. I assume what you mean is probably post acne pigmentation or post inflammatory pigmentation. Targeting through a single agent may not always be fruitful. Meet a qualified Dermatologist to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment options. Combination of different therapeutic agents is always beneficial. Revlite I.e. Q-switched Nd YAG laser has been available for stubborn pigmentation and can be helpful when topical creams fail. There are many options to treat open pores.Face washes and retinoid based formulations are available and can be quite useful in selected patients. The strength of creams to be used can be determined by the dermatologist. You can opt for lasers if needed based on your severity, though more than one session will be needed.