Tranexamic acid was initially prescribed to reduce bleeding during surgery; now, its uses extend beyond this purpose and have become popularly applied topically to fade dark spots and even out skin tone by inhibiting melanin production, according to dermatologist Debra Jaliman.
This serum features 3% tranexamic acid and bakuchiol, an ingredient proven to brighten skin complexion. Designed to work on all skin types and colors without adverse side effects, its use should become part of your regular regimen for effective results.
Benefits
Tranexamic acid is an effective, non-hydroquinone brightener that works to even out skin tone by inhibiting melanin production, helping prevent dark spots from forming and decreasing hyperpigmentation and melasma as well as fade acne scars. Unlike more intensive brighteners, it does not create a lightening halo effect or bleach the skin, making it suitable for use by individuals of all skin colors and types.
Karan Lal, a double board-certified cosmetic and pediatric dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona notes that arbutin is an amazing ingredient for discoloration without resorting to chemical peels or bleaching agents. Since it doesn’t bleach the skin, long-term use and pairing it with other complexion-boosting ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin C for more radiant results are safe options.
Ranella Hirsch, MD of Boston-based board-certified dermatology says tranexamic acid can also help fight post-acne pigmentation and recommends SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense serum which contains it with kojic and niacinamide to both combat current discolorations as well as prevent any future ones from forming.
Antioxidant-rich serum is also ideal for those with sensitive skin, as its low irritation factor. However, keep in mind that brightening ingredients tend to work gradually; results may take up to one month before becoming noticeable.
The serum features not only tranexamic acid but also potent anti-aging ingredients like peptides and niacinamide, offering an approachable yet highly effective formula that can be used on an ongoing basis according to Hirsch.
Garshick recommends Glow Recipe’s Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum as it features multiple forms of skin-brightening vitamin C as well as soothing ingredients such as chamomile flower extract and seed oil, dual-encapsulated vitamin C with slow release to minimize irritation while stabilizing it to preserve its potency for extended use. She suggests starting small and gradually increasing dosage based on individual need.
Ingredients
Transexamic acid differs from alpha-hydroxy acids like salicylic and glycolic acids by not acting as an exfoliant; rather it’s a synthetic derivative of amino acid lysine known for its skin-enhancing properties and can help reduce dark spots caused by sun damage, melasma or post-acne hyperpigmentation without creating an unflattering lightening halo effect like more intense brighteners can.
Transexamic acid offers many skin-enhancers, but those with darker complexions are especially suited to its benefits, particularly hyperpigmentation from sun exposure, melasma or acne. According to board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman in New York City. it works by slowing the synthesis of melanin which creates skin color.
This ingredient is one of the most effective anti-dark spot treatments on the market, pairing well with other brightening agents like niacinamide and plant extracts like licorice root to brighten and restore your complexion. Furthermore, vitamin C works wonders to restore skin integrity as a repair agent.
Amazon customers have given this product four and a half out of five-star reviews; its light formula contains both tranexamic acid and glycolic acid to treat dull skin. You can use it spot treating dark spots or all over as part of an all-over serum; plus its more gentle approach makes it better suited for sensitive skin than more popular options on the market.
This product not only contains tranexamic acid but also features glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation and kojic acid to brighten skin tone. Furthermore, this product has an enjoyable fragrance without feeling heavy on skin.
Paula’s Choice offers this serum containing 3% concentration of tranexamic acid to ensure maximum effectiveness, along with niacinamide and bakuchiol to further combat dark spots and discoloration. Paik recommends including this in your morning routine after cleansing, prior to applying moisturizer; its light gel-like formula won’t pill when layering with other products in your regimen.
How to Use
Lactic, mandelic and glycolic acids all play an essential part in skin enhancing processes; but tranexamic acid stands out as one of the latest innovations on the scene to address discoloration. As an effective brightener with proven effectiveness in helping fade dark spots and melasma while lightening uneven skin tone and increasing collagen levels for healthier looking skin, tranexamic acid offers great promise as an expert-approved formula against discoloration.
As with other brightening ingredients, this ingredient works by interfering with processes that contribute to excess pigmentation. It does this by hindering interactions between melanocytes (which produce skin pigment) and keratinocytes (the outermost layer of skin cells), and reduces activity of enzyme tyrosinase, an essential enzyme in melanin production. As a result, pigmentation does not build up and blotch the skin resulting in keeping pigmentation at bay and keeping skin clear and radiant.
As such, it can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes caused by acne, sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations or inflammation. Furthermore, it may be used to treat post-acne marks as well as fade mild to moderate hyperpigmentation caused by post-inflammatory discoloration or mild inflammation. Although not as effective at brightening as other ingredients like glutathione in terms of diminishing more serious dark spots, it still offers many potential advantages.
As it’s safe for most skin types – including those prone to rosacea or those suffering from eczema – it should be applied directly onto skin without prior patch testing or treatment of any kind, it should be used on those pregnant or with blood disorders and prior use should be limited or avoided altogether.
Tranexamic acid can be combined with other beneficial ingredients for best results, including retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide. As with any skincare treatment regimen, be sure to apply sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm afterwards to maximize results.
Plix Skin Perfecting’s Transexamic Acid Serum can easily add transexamic acid to your skincare regimen with its gentle yet non-greasy formulation, or you could try out their Droplette kit ($138), which comes with 30 TXA capsules which you can open and incorporate into your regimen.
Side Effects
Tranexamic acid has generally been well tolerated by most skin types, although proper usage should still be observed. If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, use Tranexamic acid with caution after cleansing and toning; apply sparingly afterward – use moisturizer with this medication because tranexamic acid could dry out the skin and potentially lead to acne breakouts if used at high concentrations or combined with ingredients known for their pore-clogging qualities.
Tranexamic acid belongs to a class of medications called anti-fibrinolytics and is often prescribed short-term to treat hemophilia or heavy menstrual bleeding disorders. Topical tranexamic acid has also been studied for its ability to lessen sun-induced dark spots; research shows it reduces severity of melasma when used with sunscreen and works even better than hydroquinone in reducing redness from postinflammatory erythema caused by acne outbreaks.
Age spots, liver spots and sunspots can all be faded with this ingredient. Its tone-evening capabilities are especially beneficial to darker skin tones as it doesn’t create the “lightening halo” effect that hydroquinone does – and works well alongside most skin brightening ingredients used in your routine, according to Hadley King MD from Weill Medical College Cornell University.
Hereditary angioedema, an inherited condition causing itchy swelling attacks on the face, lips, hands and feet can be effectively treated using this ingredient – even more than more expensive medications like Adalimumab which has already been developed as treatments. It has already proven more successful.
Unbeknownst to many is the fact that tranexamic acid has been shown to help alleviate symptoms associated with psoriasis by normalizing immune response to inflammation. If you’re struggling with this unpleasant skin condition, speak to your physician about finding a topical product containing this ingredient for possible relief.
