Dark Face Bug - Even with almost no mods?

[AlrightIGuess]

I installed ESF Companions from LE (https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/22650) after following these instructions (https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?showtopic=761405/&do=findComment&comment=77496128) to convert it to Skyrim Special Edtion, and upon starting a new game, I noticed that members of the Companions are suffering the so-called dark- or brown-face bug.
I checked my load order on that save for conflicts with those characters, particularly Farkas and Aela as examples, and only noticed a conflict with KS_Hairdos lite, which was a dispute over the characters' hairstyles, not their faces. I patched it and allowed KS_Hairdos to win.
This did not solve my problem.
I have done numerous things, from running my patch and ESF Companions through CK to regenerate their facegen, to no avail. I even uninstalled ESF Companions entirely and started a new game, spawned Farkas with a console command, and noticed he still has a dark face, as did all the other Companions I spawned - and conveniently, only Companions.

I decided to create a new Vortex profile using only one mod: Live Another Life, so I would have an easy starting area where to spawn Farkas to check him, without interference from any other mods. So I did... and he still had the dark face bug.
I was running only one mod that didn't even touch Farkas, let alone his appearance in particular, and he still had the dark face.

Am I going to have to go so far as to verify my file integrity through Steam?

Here is my load order on my first save, where I first noticed the issues with the Companions' faces. I think it's hardly relevant, though, considering how I got the same bug on a clean save without any mods but one.

00  Skyrim.esm
01  Update.esm
02  Dawnguard.esm
03  HearthFires.esm
04  Dragonborn.esm
05  Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch.esp  [Version 4.2.3]
06  RSkyrimChildren.esm
07  FISS.esp
08  3DNPC.esp  [Version 4.3.6]
09  ImCh.esm
0A  Lanterns Of Skyrim II.esm
0B  Campfire.esm
0C  daymoyl.esm
0D  AHZmoreHUDInventory.esl  [Version 1.0.14]
0E  Armoury of Tamriel.esm
0F  DynDOLOD.esm
10  SkyUI_SE.esp
11  Lore Weapon Expansion - Daedric Crescent.esp  [Version 1.0]
12  Lore Weapon Expansion - Goldbrand.esp  [Version 1.1]
13  Vivid WeathersSE.esp
14  Lore Weapon Expansion - Relics of the Crusader.esp  [Version 1.0]
15  3PCO.esp
16  icepenguinworldmapclassic.esp
17  AMatterOfTime.esp  [Version 2.00]
18  Animations.esp
19  Holds.esp
1A  Holds Unofficial Patch.esp
1B  DepthsOfSkyrim.esp
1C  Immersive Sounds - Compendium.esp
1D  Cutting Room Floor.esp  [Version 3.1.7]
1E  Book Covers Skyrim.esp
1F  ReadingTakesTime.esp
20  CollegeOfWinterholdImmersive.esp
21  GreatWarSkyrim.esp
22  Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp
23  Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp
24  Weapons Armor Clothing & Clutter Fixes.esp
25  Armoury of Tamriel Integration.esp
26  Summermyst - Enchantments of Skyrim.esp
27  YOT - Your Own Thoughts.esp
28  Afro_TW2_armorpack.esp
29  SOTFull.esp
2A  LoS II - Tamriel Master Lights.esp
2B  iNeed.esp
2C  iNeed - Extended.esp
2D  Coins of Tamriel V2 SSE Edition.esp
2E  Skyrim Immersive Creatures Special Edition.esp  [Version v6.6a]
2F  Holidays.esp
30  Holds - Holidays Patch.esp
31  Beasts of Tamriel.esp
32  Faction Economy - Complete.esp
33  goodbrother.esp
34  Skyrim Bridges.esp
35  Holds - USEEP Patch.esp
36  SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp
37  BirdsOfSkyrim_SSE.esp
38  Artificer - Artifacts of Skyrim.esp
39  Thunderchild - Epic Shout Package.esp
3A  HoldsInterestingNPCsCompatibilityPatch.esp
3B  Holds - Interesting NPCs Patch.esp
3C  BattleAftermath.esp
3D  Point The Way.esp  [Version 2.0.6]
3E  OwnCivilWar.esp
3F  Holds - CRF Patch.esp
40  Shields_of_the_northern_kingdoms.esp
41  Lore Weapon Expansion.esp  [Version 1.4a]
42  Witcher Automated Leveled List Addition.esp
43  Guards_Armor_Replacer.esp
44  imp_helm_legend.esp
45  Armoury of Tamriel - Improved Closefaced Helmets.esp
46  AskTheWay.esp
47  Backshields.esp
48  BecomeABard.esp
49  BarenziahQuestMarkers.esp
4A  BlockSteal.esp
4B  Simple Bound Weapons Expansion.esp
4C  Bound Shield.esp  [Version 1.0.0]
4D  Character Creation Overhaul.esp
4E  CCO - Diverse Races And Genders.esp
4F  CobbEncumbrance.esp
50  VioLens SE.esp  [Version 2.22]
51  DSerCombatGameplayOverhaul.esp
52  Combat Gameplay Overhaul - USEEP Patch.esp
53  Combat Gameplay Overhaul - WAACF Patch.esp
54  CombatSurrender.esp
55  CrimeDecay.esp
56  DIVERSE SKYRIM.esp
57  TheCleaner.esp
58  DiverseDragonsCollectionSE.esp
59  Snotgurg Dynamic Item Repricer.esp
5A  SOT_FollowMe.esp
5B  FCO - Follower Commentary Overhaul.esp
5C  Footprints.esp
5D  GDOGreatWarSkyrimPatch.esp
5E  HallgarthAdditionalHair.esp
5F  Sea of Spirits.esp
60  Man Those Borders!.esp
61  Holds - LoS II Patch.esp
62  SOTGenesisMod.esp
63  Thieves Guild Requirements.esp
64  Ket_ARMONIZER_LL_v4.esp
65  Wintersun - Faiths of Skyrim.esp
66  Immersive Encounters.esp
67  Growl - Werebeasts of Skyrim.esp
68  Dr_Bandolier.esp
69  BirdsAndFlocks_SSE.esp
6A  Cloaks.esp
6B  Better Spell Learning.esp
6C  Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp
6D  OBIS SE.esp
6E  Crime Overhaul Expanded.esp
6F  Runandwalkpaces.esp
70  Hirsute Beards.esp  [Version 1.1]
71  honedmetal.esp
72  Illustrious HDT Cloaks.esp
73  iHUD.esp
74  SBWE-ISC Patch.esp
75  CWICRFSEPatch.esp
76  Immersive Encounters - RS Children Patch.esp
77  Armoury of Tamriel - LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons.esp
78  PrvtI_HeavyArmory.esp
79  HoldsUSLEEPCompatibilityPatch.esp
7A  Underwater_Treasure.esp
7B  Qw_3DNPC_USSEP Patch.esp
7C  LoS II - Lantern Workers.esp
7D  Immersive Patrols II.esp
7E  Civil War Battlefields.esp
7F  SpellResearch.esp
80  Frostfall.esp
81  Holds - Wintersun Patch.esp
82  3DNPC Alternative Locations.esp
83  daymoyl_DawnguardAddon.esp
84  Phenderix Magic World.esp
85  Phenderix Magic World - Lore Friendly Patch.esp
86  Immersive Speechcraft.esp
87  Kai_3DNPC-WACCF_Patch.esp
88  Jewelry limiter.esp
89  LessIntrusiveHUD.esp
8A  LockDoorsWithKeys.esp
8B  Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp
8C  sandboxcylinderheight.esp
8D  NPC Bartering.esp
8E  Nemesis PCEA.esp
8F  dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp
90  NotificationLog.esp
91  OBIS SE - SoT Bandit Patch.esp
92  PC Head Tracking - MCM.esp
93  PassiveWeaponEnchantmentRecharging.esp
94  iNeed - Beasts of Tamriel Patch.esp
95  Perk Points at Skill Levels 50-75-100.esp
96  PickUpBooksSimple.esp
97  chfshPlayerVoicesets.esp
98  CRF_RSChildrenPatch.esp
99  RSC 3DNPC Patch.esp
9A  RaceMenu.esp
9B  RealNames - SSE Edition.esp
9C  reflection-levelupmessages.esp
9D  RideSharing.esp
9E  PrvtIRoyalArmory.esp
9F  SIC - ICH Patch.esp
A0  SandowPP.esp
A1  Rise Again - Enairim Death Alternative Compatibility.esp
A2  Armoury of Tamriel Smithing Perks Compatabilty Version.esp
A3  Hothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.esp
A4  Armoury of Tamriel - Summermyst.esp
A5  SimplyKnock.esp
A6  SkyrimSizesLore.esp
A7  SleepTight.esp
A8  Spell Research - Patch Compendium.esp
A9  SpellResearchAddOn.esp
AA  SpellResearch_Book.esp
AB  SpellResearchAddOnExpBookPatch.esp
AC  RealNames - AFT Store Name.esp
AD  survivalspoof.esp
AE  TakeNotes.esp
AF  DragonCombatDialogue.esp
B0  TimingIsEverything.esp
B1  UltimateDragons.esp
B2  DIS_Armor_Fractions.esp
B3  DIS_Armor_Fractions_Diverse Skyrim.esp
B4  DIS_Armor_Fractions_3DNPC.esp
B5  Vivid Weathers SE - Classic.esp
B6  Volkihar Knight.esp  [Version 1.0.0]
B7  1nivWICCloaks.esp  [Version 2.4]
B8  bobsarmory.esp
B9  Civil War Refugees.esp
BA  3DNPC - Winterhold Mods Patch.esp
BB  Wintersun - SIC Patch.esp
BC  CRF + Bridges Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.]
BD  LoS II - Skyrim Bridges patch.esp
BE  OBIS SE Patrols Addon.esp
BF  Holds - Thunderchild Patch.esp
C0  Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim.esp
C1  Skyrim Weapons Expansion.esp
C2  SWE - Full Leveled List Integration.esp
C3  PrinceandPauper.esp
C4  RSChildren.esp  [Version 1.2.0.]
C5  Prince and the Pauper SE - RS Children Patch.esp
C6  adoptAventusAretino_PrinceandPauperRS.esp
C7  AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp
C8  Immersive Weapons.esp
C9  Wildcat - Combat of Skyrim.esp
CA  DSer360MovementBehavior.esp
CB  DSerArcheryGameplayOverhaul.esp
CC  DIS_Armor_Fractions_WACCF.esp
CD  ImprovedClosefacedHelmets_WACCF.esp
CE  Guards Armor Replacer - WACCF Patch.esp
CF  Unique Uniques.esp  [Version 1.8]
D0  Artificer - Unique Uniques Patch.esp
D1  KS_Hairdo's_Lite.esp
D2  Sleeping Innkeepers.esp  [Version 1.0]
D3  3DNPC - CRF Patch.esp
D4  Bob's Automated Leveled List Addition.esp
D5  CommonClothes.esp  [Version 98]
D6  USSEP-Immersive Weapons Patch.esp
D7  Hammerfell Armory SE.esp
D8  More Weapons Please.esp
D9  KWTelescope.esp
DA  TAotB - New Facial Hairs.esp
DB  DIS_Armor_Fractions_OBIS.esp
DC  OBIS SE - Immersive Weapons Patch.esp
DD  WIC - Extra Leveled List (WACCF).esp
DE  Chesko_WearableLantern.esp
DF  ProjectIlliteracy.esp
E0  WetandCold.esp
E1  DiverseSkyrim - Skyrim Immersive Creatures patch.esp
E2  XPMSE.esp
E3  hmkLockOn.esp  [Version 0.3.5]
E4  AHZmoreHUD.esp  [Version 3.7.8]
E5  CCO - Dynamic Skill Progression.esp
E6  Wildcat-Immersive Weapons Patch.esp
E7  3DNPC0.esp
E8  dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp
E9  ISC Enhanced Blood Patch.esp
EA  EBT - IC PATCH.esp
EB  PC Head Tracking - Patch.esp
EC  Qw_BarenziahQuestMarkers_USSEP Patch.esp
ED  RaceMenuPlugin.esp
EE  Summermyst - SIC patch.esp
EF  YOT - Apocalypse.esp
F0  Qw_CloaksOfSkyrim_CRF Patch.esp
F1  Guards Armor Replacer - Winter is Coming Patch.esp
F2  Qw_BookCoversSkyrim_CRF Patch.esp
F3  Wintersun - BCS Patch.esp
F4  Vivid Weathers - Wet and Cold patch.esp
F5  YOT - CoWI.esp
F6  LoS II TML - Guard Armor Replacer patch.esp
F7  YOT - Cutting Room Floor.esp
F8  YOT - Frostfall Module.esp
F9  Holds - RSChildren Patch.esp
FA  YOT - Growl.esp
FB  Qw_ISC_CRF Patch.esp
FC  YOT - Immersive Sounds.esp
FD  Qw_WACCF_CRF Patch.esp
FE  WIC - Extra Leveled List.esp
FF  YOT - Interesting NPCs.esp
100  Qw_WACCF_CloaksOfSkyrim Patch.esp
101  Qw_WACCF_ISC Patch.esp
102  Qw_WACCF_RSChildren Patch.esp
103  YOT - Reflection - Level Up Messages.esp
104  YOT - Summermyst.esp
105  YOT - Thunderchild.esp
106  YOT - Wearable Lanterns.esp
107  YOT - Wet and Cold.esp
108  YOT - Wildcat.esp
109  YOT - Wintersun.esp
10A  YOT - iNeed.esp
10B  FNIS.esp
10C  Thief skills rebalance for Ordinator.esp
10D  Better Spell Learning - ICW Patch.esp
10E  Better Spell Learning - Cutting Room Floor Patch.esp
10F  Better Spell Learning - Apocalypse SE Patch.esp
110  Better Spell Learning - 3DNPCs Patch.esp
111  ESFPatch.esp
112  Imperious - Races of Skyrim.esp
113  Combat Gameplay Overhaul - Imperious Patch.esp
114  Qw_Imperious_SkyrimSizesLore Patch.esp
115  Imperious - Compatibility Patch.esp
116  YOT - Imperious.esp
117  Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remastered.esp
118  DIS_Armor_Fractions_CCOR.esp
119  Cloaks_CCOR_Patch.esp
11A  1nivWICCloaks_COS_CCOR_Patch.esp
11B  Guards Armor Replacer - Cloaks of Skyrim Patch.esp
11C  Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation_CCOR_Patch.esp
11D  CCOR_Campfire_Patch.esp
11E  Dr_Bandolier_CCOR_Patch.esp
11F  Immersive Weapons_CCOR_Patch.esp
120  PrvtI_HeavyArmory_CCOR_Patch.esp
121  SWE - CCOR Patch.esp
122  Unique Uniques_CCOR_Patch.esp
123  Complete Alchemy & Cooking Overhaul.esp
124  Frostfall_CACO Patch.esp
125  iNeed CACO Patch.esp
126  Complete Alchemy & Cooking Overhaul_CCOR_Patch.esp
127  WEHealingPotions Patch - CACO.esp
128  Holds - CACO Patch.esp
129  CACO_Growl_Patch.esp
12A  CACO_SkyrimImmersiveCreaturesSE_Patch.esp
12B  Qw_CACO_3DNPC Patch.esp
12C  CACO_USSEP_Patch.esp
12D  Qw_CACO_BookCoversSkyrim Patch.esp
12E  CACO_Wintersun.esp
12F  Ordinator - Perks of Skyrim.esp
130  Apocalypse - Ordinator Compatibility Patch.esp
131  Lock_Overhaul.esp
132  CWIOrdinatorPatchSSE.esp
133  CACO_Ordinator_Patch.esp
134  YOT - Ordinator.esp
135  CCOR_Ordinator.esp
136  YOT - Lock Overhaul.esp
137  Sacrosanct - Vampires of Skyrim.esp
138  YOT - Sacrosanct.esp
139  Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp  [Version 4.1.3]
13A  Relationship Dialogue Overhaul.esp
13B  TheChoiceIsYours.esp
13C  Alternate Start -- New Beginnings.esp
13D  RDO - iAFT Patch.esp
13E  Convenient Horses.esp
13F  Andromeda - Unique Standing Stones of Skyrim.esp
140  Andromeda Convenient Horses Patch.esp
141  TCIY_BCS Patch.esp
142  AMX CCO Andromeda Patch.esp
143  Convenient Horses - Apocalypse+CACO+SIC+Summermyst.esp
144  da_alternate_start_extension.esp
145  Holds - Alternate Start Patch.esp
146  RDO - CRF + USSEP Patch.esp
147  YOT - Andromeda.esp
148  YOT - Convenient Horses.esp
149  Qw_CACO_RDO Patch.esp
14A  TCIY BCS Patch.esp
14B  TCIY_CRF_Patch.esp
14C  TCIY_Wintersun_Patch.esp
14D  IlliteracyPatch.esp
14E  RealisticWaterTwo.esp  [Version 2.2.2]
14F  RealisticWaterTwo - Needs Mod Patch.esp
150  WACCF_BashedPatchLvlListFix.esp
151  Sum_WACCF_Patch.esp
152  One ImCh Patch.esp
153  Bashed Patch, 0.esp
154  DynDOLOD.esp

As for the clean save, this is the load order...

00 Skyrim.esm

01 Update.esm

02 Dawnguard.esm

03 HearthFires.esm

04 Dragonborn.esm

05 Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp [Version 4.1.3]

What is causing this issue, what can I do about it, and is there any way I can get ESF Companions to work for SSE with regards to my load order, without getting this bug again?

 

[L3e7]

since you tried a clean save and still no facegen data (This is the problem when you get black faces) I would suggest reinstalling skyrim. As your texture files for the vanilla game might have corrupted somehow

if that fixes it or not, at least you'll know if that's the problem or not. :)