13 Best Tranexamic Acid Products to Fade Dark Spots
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Vitamin C is undoubtedly the most popular ingredient for addressing discoloration, but the best tranexamic acid products work just as well and tend to be gentler on skin. Tranexamic acid is an underdog additive that targets dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma all at once without irritating sensitive skin in the process—in fact, it's one of the few discoloration-diminishing ingredients that can be mixed with other skin brighteners like retinol and hydroquinone. Below, check out every derm- and Allure editor-approved tranexamic acid product that'll reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
Bluemercury
Dermstore
SkinCeuticals
Why It's Worth It: SkinCeuticals is one of the most derm-recommended brands on the planet, so it's no surprise that Dr. King and Dr. Garshick suggest the brand's Discoloration Defense serum. "It contains a great combination of tranexamic acid and kojic acid, both ingredients that are effective for lightening discolorations," says Dr. King. Along with the acids, this formula also contains niacinamide, which is helpful for tone and texture. Since its ingredients are gentler than most actives, you can feel free to apply this serum day and night—just make sure to wear sunscreen during daylight hours, since they can cause slight photosensitivity.
Editor's Tip: Dr. Garshick recommends consulting a board-certified dermatologist about an oral tranexamic acid prescription if topical, over-the-counter products aren't cutting it.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid (3%), kojic acid, niacinamide, sulfonic acid | Who It's For: Those with hyperpigmentation, melasma, combination skin, or oily skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Alastin Skincare
Alastin Skincare A-Luminate Brightening Serum
Alastin Skincare
Why It's Worth It: On top of its ability to minimize dark spots, Alastin Skincare's A-Luminate Brightening Serum also addresses redness, another form of discoloration related to hyperpigmentation, rosacea, eczema, and a whole laundry list of other factors. Its formula relies on a combination of two luminance-boosting additives: tranexamic acid, and antioxidant niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3).
Editor's Tip: Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein says this serum is her go-to when her complexion looks more uneven than usual. "This is my saving grace when I have a pesky post-acne dark spot that refuses to budge," she says. "Its effective formula speeds up the healing process and, instead of exacerbating my rosacea, it tones down my usual redness."
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those with hyperpigmentation, dull skin, sensitive skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Medik8
Medik8 Press & Clear Exfoliating 2% BHA Tonic
Amazon
Dermstore
Medik8
Why It's Worth It: Looking for an intensive pore-unclogging treatment? Use a cotton pad to swipe on Medik8's Press & Clear Exfoliating 2% BHA Tonic, a Dr. Garshick-approved formula that's not greasy or sticky. This topical contains a potent mix of tranexamic and salicylic acids to address current blemishes and post-acne dark spots with one lightweight treatment. Though it contains an active ingredient, this toner feels cooling and gentle rather than irritating, thanks to the addition of aloe vera extract in its formula.
Editor's Tip: If you have sensitive skin, we recommend patch-testing before using this toner and only applying it on problem areas.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid (2%), salicylic acid, aloe vera extract | Who It's For: Oily skin, acne-prone skin, those with hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Musely
Musely The Spot Cream
Musely
Why It's Worth It: Online prescription-grade formulas from brands like Musely offer results at the click of a button. If dark spots and melasma are your concern, The Spot Cream is your ticket to clearer skin days ahead. This clinical-strength moisturizer is available in four different formulations, including a hydroquinone-free formula, that a Musely in-house dermatologist will prescribe depending on your skin type, concerns, and medical history. Like most Musely products, you must receive an online evaluation and prescription approval from the brand's in-house doctors before purchasing.
Editor's Tip: Only the hydroquinone-free version of this cream contains tranexamic acid.
Key Ingredients: Dependent on prescription | Who It's For: Those with hyperpigmentation, those with melasma | Fragrance-Free: Yes
SkinMedica
SkinMedica Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment
Amazon
Bluemercury
Why It's Worth It: Dr. Lal says the SkinMedica Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment is a must for anyone treating discoloration. "This is a sophisticated brightening product with many tone-evening ingredients, one of which is tranexamic acid," he says. This daily-use tranexamic acid serum also contains skin-brightening niacinamide and antioxidant-rich lotus sprout extract, which conditions and plumps skin while boosting natural luminance.
By Aliza Kelly
By Marci Robin
By Marci Robin
Editor's Tip: Dr. King says that most tranexamic acid products can be applied twice daily, but those with very sensitive skin could experience irritation or dryness. "It's prudent for sensitive skin types to do a test patch before applying more liberally," she says, adding to start applying once every other night and bumping up application frequency daily if your skin can tolerate it.
Key Ingredients: 9% LTN complex (tranexamic acid, niacinamide, lotus sprout extract), plankton extract, phytic acid | Who It's For: All skin types | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Maya Chia
Maya Chia the Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment
Credo Beauty
The Detox Market
Maya Chia
Why It's Worth It: Maya Chia's The Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment may be pricey, but Dr. King says this supercharged formula is worth every penny. It contains a slew of complexion-perking ingredients, including three shelf-stable variations of vitamin C, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, and niacinamide—and those are just the brightening ingredients. Peptides and stem cells derived from orange blossom lift and firm skin, resulting in a glowy, more youthful appearance.
Editor's Tip: We love that this formula has a lightweight feel and quickly absorbs into skin, making it a great pick to layer under your favorite moisturizer, sunscreen, and/or makeup.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate), tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, niacinamide, peptides, plant-based stem cells | Who It's For: All skin types | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Vichy
Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Dermstore
Why It's Worth It: Age spots and wrinkles happen as we age, but if you want to tone down the look of these concerns, Vichy's LiftActiv B3 Serum will smooth them out and then some. Dr. Garshick loves its combination of brightening tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and glycolic acid, the latter of which is essential to a wrinkle-reducing routine. "The glycolic acid works to gently exfoliate and even out skin tone while the niacinamide and tranexamic acid help to lighten the dark spots," she says. For enhancing skin elasticity, this serum also contains skin-firming peptides.
Editor's Tip: Since this serum contains glycolic acid, an intensive active ingredient, we recommend using it nightly to avoid sun sensitivity.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, peptides | Who It's For: Mature skin, textured skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Lion Pose
Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum
Sephora
Lion Pose
Why It's Worth It: Dr. King recommends the Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum to target hyperpigmentation and post-acne spots overnight. It's formulated with a "great combination of azelaic acid and tranexamic acid to decrease hyperpigmentation, and also contains glycolic acid and lactic acid to help lift the pigment." Although it has a strong 15% concentration of active ingredients, Dr. King attributes its gentle feel on skin to a soothing combo of Centella asiatic (commonly known as cica), hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera extract.
By Aliza Kelly
By Marci Robin
By Marci Robin
Editor's Tip: This serum's combination of exfoliating acids makes it great for unclogging pores or minimizing oil, but it might be too potent for sensitive skin types.
Key Ingredients: 15% acid blend (tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid), cica, aloe vera extract, glutathione, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Those with hyperpigmentation, acne-prone skin, oily skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Glow Recipe
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Glow Recipe
Why It's Worth It: Get your glow on with Glow Recipe's Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum. This radiance booster gets two thumbs up from Dr. Garshick for its innovative, antioxidant-powered formulation. "This brightening serum combines different forms of vitamin C with guava extract and seed oil, which together deliver powerful antioxidant benefits and brighten the skin," she says. Each of the five different types of skin-brightening vitamin C featured in this serum is dual-encapsulated for a slower release, which minimizes skin irritation and protects the potency of the water-soluble antioxidant longer, thus making its formula more effective. Of course, this formulation also contains tranexamic acid to improve discoloration and reduce dark spots.
Editor's Tip: To prevent future dark spots from forming, we recommend applying sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF rating of at least 30 every time you step outside.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate), tranexamic acid (, guava extract, guava seed oil, ferulic acid | Who It's For: All skin types | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Paul
- Last
News by day
30 of April 2024
