Ingredient glossary
Tranexamic Acid
On your shelf ✓What Tranexamic Acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Tranexamic Acid · Also: TXA
In short: Tranexamic Acid delivers brightening and anti redness, earns its place for pigmentation and melasma, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant.
- What it does
- Brightening, anti redness
- Best for
- Pigmentation, melasma
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is fading dark spots and evening out tone, Tranexamic Acid delivers, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. Easy to slot into almost any routine.
— Maya
What it does
- brightening
- anti redness
moderate evidenceStudies show topical 2–10% tranexamic acid can improve melasma scores and pigmentation, particularly when combined with other brightening agents or procedures.
On a label: works best above 2%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- pigmentation
- melasma
- post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Approach with care
- active clotting disorders
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveNeutral
Often chosen for pigmentation, melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: active clotting disorders.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Tranexamic Acid, answered
Is Tranexamic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Tranexamic Acid is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Tranexamic Acid?
Approach Tranexamic Acid with care if any of these apply to you: active clotting disorders.
What concentration of Tranexamic Acid actually works?
Research tends to show Tranexamic Acid starts pulling its weight above 2%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
During pregnancy
Treat Tranexamic Acid as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Compare Tranexamic Acid with
Can you mix Tranexamic Acid with
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