Ingredients Brightening Tranexamic Acid
21Tx
Sourced from lab
Tier · Strong evidence
Brightening

Tranexamic Acid

INCI: Tranexamic Acid · Also called: TXA

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.

For your skin

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.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

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

Why we tier this strong

7 cited papers across 4 countries. Multiple positive efficacy results plus regulatory backing. Clears our published bar (Strong = 15+ studies with multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or a single large longitudinal cohort).

3
Korea
2
International
1
European Union
1
Japan

Layering matrix

Read the research

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Cited research

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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

2024Meta-analysis — positivePMID:38059683View source ↗
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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

2024Mechanism onlyPMID:38816976View source ↗
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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

2021Meta-analysis — positivePMID:33959984View source ↗
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MFDS Notified Functional Cosmetic Active — Tranexamic Acid (whitening). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — notified whitening active under the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex; plasmin-inhibitor mechanism interrupts UV-triggered melanogenesis

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:TranexamicAcid-WhiteningView source ↗
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Tranexamic Acid Diminishes Laser-Induced Melanogenesis, Annals of Dermatology 2015;27(3):250-256 — TXA reduces melanin production and tyrosinase activity in melanocytes; candidate for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

2015Positive — efficacyPMID:26082580View source ↗
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Na JI et al., Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluation, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2013 — topical TXA reduced melasma severity with corresponding histological pigment reduction

2013Positive — efficacyPMID:22329442View source ↗
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Maeda K, Naganuma M, Topical trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid prevents ultraviolet radiation-induced pigmentation, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B 1998;47(2-3):136-41

1998Positive — efficacyPMID:10093913View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.