Tranexamic Acid

What is tranexamic acid?

Tranexamic acid (TXA for short) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine. It originally comes from medicine, where it is used to stop bleeding. In skincare it has become one of the most popular ingredients for dark spots – especially in Korean serums, ampoules and creams.

How does tranexamic acid work on the skin?

• Less pigment production: TXA inhibits the plasmin system in skin cells, so fewer messengers are released that stimulate melanocytes to produce pigment.
• More even skin tone: dark spots, melasma and red or brown post-acne marks fade over time.
• Gentle: unlike many exfoliating acids, TXA does not make the skin more sensitive to light and rarely irritates.

Which skin types is tranexamic acid suitable for?

• dark spots and melasma – see skincare for dark spots
• post-acne marks
• sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate stronger brighteners such as high-strength vitamin C or acids

How to use tranexamic acid

1. Apply a TXA serum or ampoule after cleansing and toner, morning and evening.
2. Follow with a moisturiser.
3. Always wear sunscreen during the day – UV light is the main trigger of dark spots.
4. Be patient: visible results usually appear after 8 to 12 weeks.

What can you combine tranexamic acid with?

• Niacinamide slows the transfer of pigment to the skin’s surface – the classic Korean pairing
• Vitamin C is antioxidant and brightening
• Azelaic acid also helps with post-acne marks
• Centella asiatica soothes irritated skin

TXA also works well with retinoids or acids in the same routine, as it is hardly irritating itself.

Tranexamic acid in Korean skincare

Korean brands almost always combine TXA with niacinamide. Examples from our range: the Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum by Haruharu Wonder, the TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum and TXA Niacinamide Capsule Cream by medicube, the No.5 Glutathione TXA Ampoule by numbuzin, the TXA 6 Niacinamide 10 Retinal Serum by Purito and the TN Tranexamic Acid Niacinamide Serum by Cos De BAHA. You’ll find them all in our TXA & tranexamic acid skincare collection.

What does the research say?

Topical tranexamic acid has been studied mainly for melasma. In a split-face study with 50 people, a 3% TXA solution worked about as well as a combination of hydroquinone and dexamethasone after 12 weeks, but was better tolerated (Ebrahimi & Naeini, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2014). A cream with 2% TXA also reduced pigmentation in melasma over 12 weeks in another study (Kim et al., Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2016).