Strong evidence

Tranexamic Acid for Melasma

Fades stubborn dark patches like melasma and deep marks left behind by acne or hormonal shifts. The one to reach for when other brighteners haven't worked.

Why it works for Melasma

Calms the chain reaction that sunlight sets off in your skin to make pigment, so fewer dark patches form. A 2024 analysis of 22 trials (1,280 people) found the oral form gave the biggest improvement in melasma scores. The topical form at 3 to 5% is the safer place to start, and that is what our catalog product gives you.

How Tranexamic Acid works

Plasmin inhibitor that interrupts the UV-triggered melanogenesis pathway in keratinocytes.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Tranexamic Acid ingredient page.

systematic review2024

Liang Y et al., Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024 — oral TXA + topical agents most effective delivery route

journal2024

Tranexamic Acid Ameliorates Skin Hyperpigmentation by Downregulating Endothelin-1 Expression in Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Annals of Dermatology 2024;36(3):151-162 — mechanism study showing oral TXA suppresses endothelin-1 in vascular endothelial cells

systematic review2024

Calacattawi R, Alshahrani M, Aleid M et al., Tranexamic acid as a therapeutic option for melasma management: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2024;35(1):2361106 — pooled RCT evidence that tranexamic acid significantly reduces melasma severity via plasmin-inhibition of UV-triggered melanogenesis

systematic review2021

Feng X et al., Efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in the treatment of adult melasma: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 2021 — oral TXA is effective and safe for melasma, especially as adjuvant

Products with Tranexamic Acid in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Tranexamic Acid as a tracked ingredient.

COSRX

The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum

$25 · Serum

Anua

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum

$21 · Serum

SkinCeuticals

Discoloration Defense

$110 · Serum

Axis-Y

Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

$22 · Serum

The INKEY List

Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment

$15 · Treatment

Topicals

Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration

$38 · Treatment

Full Tranexamic Acid guide →Melasma overview →