Ng
Moderate evidenceN-Acetylglucosamine for Melasma
A gentle brightener that fades dark spots while quietly boosting hydration. Pairs especially well with niacinamide.
Why it works for Melasma
Fades patches by getting in the way of the cell machinery that makes pigment. The best evidence is for a 2% N-acetylglucosamine plus 4% niacinamide combination, which reduced facial pigment in studies. Think of it as a booster for niacinamide rather than a fade ingredient on its own.
How N-Acetylglucosamine works
Amino sugar that disrupts tyrosinase glycosylation in the Golgi, reducing functional tyrosinase reaching melanosomes, and serves as a precursor to hyaluronic acid in the dermis.
Evidence
4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the N-Acetylglucosamine ingredient page.